Melbourne’s Illy has emerged from relative obscurity in the last couple of years, featuring on Pegz’ last album Burn City. A few mixtapes and features down the track, the young emcee has released his debut opus, Long Story Short. It’s a spirited blend of ideas, emotions and music featuring some of the nation’s finest. M-Phazes and J-Skub handle the majority of production. Phrase, N’Fa, Spit Syndicate and Solo also lend their talents to an enjoyable LP.
Can you tell me how you were introduced to Hip Hop?
My first memory would be watching the Murder Was The Case when Snoop Doggy Dogg dropped in what, like ‘93 or ‘94? A couple of mates older brothers were right into it and that would be my first exposure to it. I remember spazzing out with my mates when we first heard Hit Em Up because of how many times Tupac swore haha, and also …36 chambers, good times.
Over what sort of time-frame was the new LP recorded? How did it all come together?
The first track we had ready for the album, in its original form would have been Pictures and Rock Star Shit, both of them were ready early to mid ‘07. The last track I did, Our Country, was written in March of this year. So yeah, about two years from first to last track, with some time off in between. A lot of it came together in the earlier part of this year, after signing with Obese. They really put me under the pump and got a lot of shit moving quickly, which worked out great.
An aspect that really stood out was the diversity of production. Is this something that you were going for from the outset or something that evolved over time?
Yeah man I guess it was. I cut quite a few tracks off the album that just didn’t maintain the standard that I think the final tracklist has, so it was a conscious effort to keep the bar high. The diversity was a by-product of working with a range of extremely talented producers. Even though there were only four involved in Long Story Short, their talent meant that a lot of different sounding tracks were pumped out. I like a lot of different music, from gangsta rap to electro-pop, so i think the open mindedness is reflected in their beat selection – especially Pictures and My Way, they’re quite different from the standard beats you hear on Aussie releases.
Who cops heavy rotation in your stereo?
I’ve been shocking with sleeping on shit for the last year or so, been listening to my shit when I’m in the car since it’s the only time I really have to listen to it and work out what needs improving. I loved Drapht’s last one, Bliss N Eso’s new one, and have just got my hands on the new Hoods. I think that one will be getting a smashing for a while to come.
How did you hook up with M-Phazes and J-Skub?
They’re part of the Crooked Eye crew, so yeah, hooked up with them when I came in to the fold. Phazes got down about a year after when he moved to Melbourne and we’ve rolled from there.
They’re part of the Crooked Eye crew, so yeah, hooked up with them when I came in to the fold. Phazes got down about a year after when he moved to Melbourne and we’ve rolled from there.
Who do you rate on the production tip?
In this country, and outside of Crooked Eye, the producers who smash shit for me would be Suffa, Trials and Noam(who worked on Bliss N Eso’s new one). All their recent efforts have been fuckin’ sick.
Tell me about the ideas behind Long Story Short. Did you approach a concept holistically?
Not really. Having such a sporadic recording process meant there was a really strong theme at the time it was coming together. I just wanted to make an album that was far and away the best stuff I’ve done, and was up there with the bestLong Story Short I put a bit of pressure on myself to deliver because everyone has done a lot themselves and it was my turn to prove myself. I think that I did it and the response I’ve received since has sort of reaffirmed my belief, which has been the best experience I’ve had with music. People who have criticized the album haven’t been comparing it to other debut releases, it’s being held against albums that are artists second and third albums, which I think is the biggest compliment you can get. debuts put out in Australia. given the supporting cast i had in making
Not really. Having such a sporadic recording process meant there was a really strong theme at the time it was coming together. I just wanted to make an album that was far and away the best stuff I’ve done, and was up there with the bestLong Story Short I put a bit of pressure on myself to deliver because everyone has done a lot themselves and it was my turn to prove myself. I think that I did it and the response I’ve received since has sort of reaffirmed my belief, which has been the best experience I’ve had with music. People who have criticized the album haven’t been comparing it to other debut releases, it’s being held against albums that are artists second and third albums, which I think is the biggest compliment you can get. debuts put out in Australia. given the supporting cast i had in making
“…I remember spazzing out with my mates when we first heard Hit Em Up because of how many times Tupac swore haha…”
Our Country was a late inclusion on the album following Black Saturday. What exactly was it about the fires that evoked such a response from you?
I think that there is a real paranoia about being absolutely politically correct in this country. I mean, they tried to ban Australian flags at festivals on Australia day a few years back…to me, that shit is fuckin’ madness. I feel like Australians are constantly being branded as racists, and that’s not just white people, but Australians of any background who share the patriotism for this country. All this international student fuss is a prime example – its a couple of isolated incidents, yet the whole country is in damage control, politicians are having knee jerk reactions, setting up commissions etc, and we’reTo me, if a victim is completely innocent, the only issue that should have any significance to how the matter is treated is the severity of the attack. They’re disgusting attacks, but they’re no more disgusting than any other attack involving completely innocent victims, of ANY background. the Cronulla riots are another example. another shameful event, but it doesnt make us all racists. the media loves to divide us and its really all bullshit, and has no benefit to anyone. Anyway, with this in mind, seeing the Victorian response to the bushfires earlier this year really brought home my point. My state, as a collective, put all that shit aside and we came out in force to support the victims. It was so inspiring to see people of all nationalities adopting the Australian spirit by nature. And it really hit home that for all the divisions we’re constantly told exist in our community, when it comes to the crunch, EVERYONE here has got that in them. You saw people of all colours and religions crying on the news about how horrible it was and giving their time, possessions, money and whatever else they could to helping others get back on their feet. It’s very emotional stuff and I felt so strongly about it that I wrote Our Country, because we really live in the best country on earth, and there is not a damn thing wrong with being proud of Australia, of Australians and being vocal about it. being branded a racist nation.
I think that there is a real paranoia about being absolutely politically correct in this country. I mean, they tried to ban Australian flags at festivals on Australia day a few years back…to me, that shit is fuckin’ madness. I feel like Australians are constantly being branded as racists, and that’s not just white people, but Australians of any background who share the patriotism for this country. All this international student fuss is a prime example – its a couple of isolated incidents, yet the whole country is in damage control, politicians are having knee jerk reactions, setting up commissions etc, and we’reTo me, if a victim is completely innocent, the only issue that should have any significance to how the matter is treated is the severity of the attack. They’re disgusting attacks, but they’re no more disgusting than any other attack involving completely innocent victims, of ANY background. the Cronulla riots are another example. another shameful event, but it doesnt make us all racists. the media loves to divide us and its really all bullshit, and has no benefit to anyone. Anyway, with this in mind, seeing the Victorian response to the bushfires earlier this year really brought home my point. My state, as a collective, put all that shit aside and we came out in force to support the victims. It was so inspiring to see people of all nationalities adopting the Australian spirit by nature. And it really hit home that for all the divisions we’re constantly told exist in our community, when it comes to the crunch, EVERYONE here has got that in them. You saw people of all colours and religions crying on the news about how horrible it was and giving their time, possessions, money and whatever else they could to helping others get back on their feet. It’s very emotional stuff and I felt so strongly about it that I wrote Our Country, because we really live in the best country on earth, and there is not a damn thing wrong with being proud of Australia, of Australians and being vocal about it. being branded a racist nation.
Red Light, Green Light features Sydney young guns Spit Syndicate and Solo. How did these collaborations come about?
I’ve known the SS boys for a few years now and they’re like extended family to me. I met Solo more recently through the boys and he’s a good mate. I think Horrorshow put out just about the album of the year last year and Towards The Light was sick too, so there was no way I wasn’t gonna get them on Long Story Short. The track came out so ill and I can see all of them being around for a long time and doing big things.
I’ve known the SS boys for a few years now and they’re like extended family to me. I met Solo more recently through the boys and he’s a good mate. I think Horrorshow put out just about the album of the year last year and Towards The Light was sick too, so there was no way I wasn’t gonna get them on Long Story Short. The track came out so ill and I can see all of them being around for a long time and doing big things.
Can you break down the idea behind the song?
Yeah basically its all of us just talking slick shit, as the leaders of the pack for the next generation. Not too concept-heavy but yeah, it definitely came out ill.
Yeah basically its all of us just talking slick shit, as the leaders of the pack for the next generation. Not too concept-heavy but yeah, it definitely came out ill.
Long Story Short is your debut LP. What have you done prior to this?
I released a couple of mixtapes, one at the start of ‘07 and one mid last year. I’ve been on Phrase’s and Pegz’ last albums and yeah that’s about it.
I released a couple of mixtapes, one at the start of ‘07 and one mid last year. I’ve been on Phrase’s and Pegz’ last albums and yeah that’s about it.
You’re A Dickhead off the Mixtape Vol. 2 is one of the funnier songs of recent times. How did you strike upon the idea for the lyrics?
Just talking shit with my mate J.Stark. I think it literally went something like “…you’re a dickhead…haha, imagine if you actually had a dick on your head you fuckwit…haha, yeah that would be dope I reckon I could write a verse about that…” and yeah, 30 minutes later the song was done.
Are there any plans to tour Long Story Short?
Yes, we have a couple of shows in the pipelines for interstate and will be doing the Block Party tour later in the year. People can go to myspace.com/illyal to check for dates and other info. Just want to say a quick thanks to everyone who went out and got a copy, mad cunnys!
[...] way for Certified Scribe here is the Triple Treat-interviews with ASTRONOMY CLASS, RAPH BOOGIE and ILLY. Click on the links just there or scroll down for the goodness. Oh and while I’m writing up [...]