Biography
Def Wish Cast, sometimes known as Def Wish Posse or abbreviated as DWC, is an Australian hip hop group from Western Sydney. The group is recognized as one of the pioneers of Australian hip hop, combining elements of the genre's origins in African American culture with a distinct local identity. The original lineup consisted of MCs Simon Bottle (DefWish), Pablo Chiacchio (Die C), Paul Westgate (Sereck), and turntablist DJ Vame (Shane Duggan). The group is noted for rapping in an Australian accent, referencing local Sydney suburbs, and embracing all elements of hip hop culture, including graffiti art and bboying.
Def Wish Cast began performing live in 1990 and signed with Random Records in 1991. In 1992, they released a limited run of 500 vinyl EPs, "Mad As A Hatter," which included the track "Proppa Ragga," featuring an Australianized ragga style. "Proppa Ragga" became the first Australian hip hop track to gain recognition internationally, reaching number two on Norway's NRK Hip Hop show. In 1993, the group released one of the first full-length Australian hip hop albums, "Knights of the Underground Table," following the Sound Unlimited LP "A Postcard From The Edge of the Under-Side." Def Wish Cast independently toured Australia, becoming the first Australian hip hop group to undertake a national tour.
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After limited commercial success, DJ Vame moved to Melbourne in 1995, leading to a hiatus for nearly a decade. During this period, DefWish, Die C, and Sereck pursued other projects, with DefWish focusing on his band "The Quickness." In 1996, Sereck participated in the documentary "Basic Equipment," examining Sydney's hip hop scene. He later founded a record label of the same name and formed the Basic Equipment Crew, bringing together several Sydney hip hop artists, including DJ Vame.
Def Wish Cast briefly reunited in 1997 to contribute the track "Hear My Raw" to the international compilation "Bomb Worldwide," released by San Francisco label Bomb Records. After officially reuniting in 2002, DJ Vame was replaced by DJ Murda One. In 2003, the group released their comeback album, "The Legacy Continues...," 14 years after their debut, with the lead single "Allstars" featured in the film "Bra Boys."
In 2011, Def Wish Cast released a digital single and video for "Dun Proppa," a track from their forthcoming album "Evolution Machine." The same year, "Knights of the Underground Table" was ranked 91st on Triple J’s "Industry List" in the Triple J Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time poll, which included input from musicians and industry experts.
Studio albums
Mad as a Hatter (1992)
Knights of the Underground Table (1993)
The Legacy Continues... (2006)
Evolution Machine (2010)
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.