A NEW breed of hip-hop immerging out of Mt Druitt is streaking up the triple j Unearthed charts and generating a huge buzz amongst industry followers.
Krooked Kounty, made up of five lyrical MCs (Cavalier and twin brother Qik Cav, Polyson, Mo Fierce and Phyzek) and DJ Victor Lopez are combining old school sounds with their own brand of cross-cultural (Aussie and Kiwi) hip-hop and R’n'B.
The group entered three unfinished singles on triple j’s Unearthed charts this month and have dominated the playlists. Their lead single Killin’Em peaked at No. 3 on September 19 - jumping 19 spots, and last week was still holding its own at No.6.
Their second release Train to No Where entered the charts at No.53 and stormed to No.7 before settling at 20 last week, while the third track One Day, which peaked at ten two weeks ago, currently holds down 25th spot.
Krooked creator DJ Victor Lopez says the almost instant success of their three unfinished EPs has been staggering.
However, Lopez is quick to point out it’s not been an “overnight success story” and that they intend on being more than just one-hit wonders.
The group have written and recorded about 68 songs in the last three years, and have been part of each other’s lives since their childhood days at Mt Druitt.
“I think we only really decided to get serious about the group in the last year ... I, myself, am turning 30 and so for me it’s pretty much now or never,” Lopez told the Advocate recently.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response on triple j - we just wanted to get our sound out there and hadn’t banked on all three releases charting as well as they have.”
Some of their success has hinged on Lopez’s two independent music stores which began in Penrith. There are now stores in Parramatta and central Sydney.
It’s been a hub for relative unknowns wanting to push their sound to a niche market.
But as Lopez knows the tough part is making their brand of sound stick to the mainstream .
“It’s a relatively small market in here at home and that’s why we had to make a choice about whether to be an all-out hip-hop act or one that combines R’n'B ... I think for longevity sake it’s important for us to be flexible,” he said.
Krooked Kounty is planning their first national single release late November or December.
To check out the group visit on myspace.com/krookedkounty.
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