Dr. Octagon is one of Kool Keith's many alter egos. His initial release as Dr. Octagon was 1996's Dr. Octagonecologyst, on which he collaborated with Dan The Automator Nakamura and dj q-bert. After the name was dropped in favour of Dr. Dooom, it was widely believed that it wouldn't be used again until the release of 2006's The Return of Dr. Octagon, which Keith maintains was changed and released without his consent.
The Last Kinection are an Indigenous hip hop trio made up of brother and sister Weno and Nay, as well as DJ Jaytee.
No strangers to the music industry, The Last Kinection have had significant success and experience for years before the group formed. Naomi (MC Nay) was one half of R&B Pop group Shakaya and signed with a major multinational label at the age of 16, quickly climbing the ARIA charts and selling platinum singles and a debut album.
The Winnie Coopers are a five piece hip-hop group from the Gold Coast, Australia consisting of MC's The Educator and Eloquence, Young Tubs on bass and DJ Bigbad. They creat music they describe as "geeky hip hop guaranteed to get cabooses shaking" combining a laid back style with sweet party tunes and lyrics that all nerds can relate to. They have released one album - Being Different on the Starving Kids label.
Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a Grammy award winning rapper, producer, author, designer and singer. He began making beats and rapping in the early 90s in Chicago, IL, United States when he formed the rap group GO GETTERS with Chicago natives GLC and Really Doe. He later gained nationwide popularity in New York when he began producing tracks for artists such as Jay-Z, Twista, Mase, Talib Kweli and Alicia Keys.
Harley Webster (born 1981), better known as Phrase is an Australian hip hop MC, originating from Melbourne, Victoria. Growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Phrase’s love of hip hop kicked off in his early teens when he started listening to Ice T, NWA, Ice Cube, and 2Pac. Whilst he was a certified fan of these US rappers, it wasn’t until he began listening to community radio and new Australian rappers that he started to feel a real affinity with hip hop as an art-form. “These dudes were rapping about issues that I relate to like cops, graffiti, and crime in Australia.
Gary Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage name GZA (pronounced /ˈJizzah/) and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist best known as a founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan and for his inclusion on their group albums, his group mates' solo releases and a successful solo career. When it comes to thought provoking, street-bred raw lyricism, the Wu-Tang Clan's fountain of wisdom, GZA takes his job very seriously. The way he crafts his double-edged rhyme flow mirrors the skill and precise technique of one who works with fine ceramics.
D12 (aka The Dirty Dozen and D-Twizzy) was initially formed in 1991 by Proof who invited local Detroit rappers such as Bizarre, Eminem and other members who would leave the crew before it achieved success including Eye Kyu, Killa Hawk and FuzZ. The group was a loose collective in the vein of Wu-Tang Clan. Several members began making names for themselves in hip hop during the late 1990s. Bizarre was named Inner City Entertainment's "Flava of the Week". He would also release an album entitled Attack Of The Weirdos and become a member of Tha Outsidaz with Eminem and Rah Digga.
Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971 in Long Beach, California, United States), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is a Grammy award nominated rapper, producer and actor. Snoop is best known as a famous MC in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of producer Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. He made his rap debut in 1992 on Dre's debut album The Chronic, and then released his debut album, Doggystyle, to much critical and public acclaim. His mother nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child, and he took the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg when he began recording.
DJ Peril is a name synonymous with the Australian Hip Hop Scene. Peril has contributed to the Development of Australian Hip Hop through Break dancing, Graffiti & Hip Hop Music since its earliest days. From his first group The Island Boys right through to 1200 Techniques he has been at for front of pushing and developing Australian Hip Hop. DJ Peril has been the driving force behind Australia most recognised Hip Hop group 1200 Techniques but beyond the group Perils passion lies in his Production, DJ-ing & Graffiti.
The Brotherhood were UK Hip Hop's big hitters in the mid-90's. Originally released as founding artists on the Bite It! label they were later signed to Virgin. They released a number of 12" singles, EP's and mini albums, with the main album 'Elementalz' being released by Virgin to critical acclaim, but low levels of sales. They split with Virgin after a turbulent label experience and the death of their manager Marts Androps (who was also the manager of Roger Sanchez).