Illy (rapper)

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Illy
Birth name Alasdair David George Murray
Born (1986-09-06) 6 September 1986 (age 37)
Origin Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper
Instruments Rap
Years active 2008-present
Labels ONETWO, UNFD
Associated acts Crooked Eye, Allday, Elemont
Website illyal.com

Alasdair David George Murray[1] (born 6 September 1986[2]), better known by his stage name Illy, is an Australian hip hop recording artist from Frankston in Melbourne, Australia. Before his solo career, Illy was a member of Crooked Eye, but opted to leave the group. He released his first solo album in 2009, entitled Long Story Short, and has released three further albums. His second The Chase, was nominated for an ARIA award while his third Bring It Back won.[3][4] He has toured internationally both as headliner as support to the Hilltop Hoods in 2014 world tour in Europe.[5]

Music

Illy was a member of Crooked Eye before embarking on a solo career. He released his first album, Long Story Short in 2009.[6][7][8] Long Story Short reached #24 on the ARIA Top 40 Urban Albums chart[9] and the lead single, "Pictures", was placed on national rotation on Triple J.[10] In April 2010, Illy embarked on his first national headlining tour, playing 12 dates nationally.[11] In September the same year, Illy toured nationally alongside Australian rappers 360 and Skryptcha for "The Three Up Tour".[12]

He appeared on the track "Take It from Me" on producer M-Phazes' debut album Good Gracious released in 2010.

In October 2010, Illy, released his second album The Chase, and its lead single "It Can Wait" debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number fifty-eight. In October 2011, "It Can Wait" was certified Gold by ARIA after selling 35,000 copies.[13] In 2011, Illy was nominated for an ARIA Music Award for Best Urban Album for The Chase, which was won by Drapht.[3] His single "Cigarettes" was on high rotation on Triple J and came 35th in the 2011 Triple J Hottest 100.[14] In February 2011, Illy embarked on his 14-date nationwide "The Chase Tour", with special guest M-Phazes.

Illy released his third album, Bring It Back, on 21 September 2012,[15] following the release of the single "Heard it All".[16] This album was described by Illy as a "passion project" and a "tribute" to the Australian hip hop scene. He announced a corresponding 24-date nationwide tour, spanning from August until October 2012, with Australian hip-hop producer Chasm and Skryptcha as support acts.[17] At the 2013 Aria Music Awards, Bring It Back won Illy the Aria Award for "Best Urban Album".[18]

Illy left Obese Records following the release of Bring It Back to set up his own label, ONETWO records, and signed South Australian hip hop artist Allday. The label is a collaboration with the We Are Unified (UNFD) music company, which is also Illy's global management representative.[19][20]

His fourth studio album, Cinematic, a sequel to The Chase, was released through ONETWO on 8 November 2013. The album is executive produced by M-Phazes. M-Phazes also produced 10 of the 13 tracks, with J-Skub, Styalz Fuego and Cam Bluff producing one each. It debuted at number 4 on the ARIA Albums Charts on 16 November 2013. Artists who feature on the album include the Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Kira Puru, Ahren Stringer, Thomas Jules from Rudimental and Daniel Merriweather. He announced on his Facebook page that his fourth album will be released through his own record label, "ONETWO", in association with Warner Music Australia. The singles for the album include "On & On", "Youngbloods" (featuring Ahren Stringer from The Amity Affliction) and a free iTunes single "Cinematic".

"Swear Jar", Illy's first single release in 2015 was released on November 17. [21]

Awards

Illy won the ARIA award for Best Urban release in 2013 for Bring It Back. The list of other contenders included Urthboy, Bliss n Eso and Horrorshow.[4]

He was also nominated in 2014, alongside artists such as Hilltop Hoods and Thundamentals, for Cinematic.[22]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[23]
Long Story Short
The Chase
  • Released: 29 October 2010
  • Label: Obese
  • Formats: CD, digital download
25
Bring It Back
  • Released: 21 September 2012
  • Label: Obese
  • Formats: CD, digital download
15
Cinematic
  • Released: 8 November 2013
  • Label: ONETWO, Warner
  • Formats: CD, digital download
4
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles as main artist, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[23]
"Pictures" 2009 Long Story Short
"The Chase" 2011 The Chase
"Cigarettes" (featuring Hue Blanes)
"It Can Wait" (featuring Owl Eyes)
"Heard It All" 2012 48 Bring It Back
"Where Ya Been" (featuring Pez)
"On & On" 2013 Cinematic
"Youngbloods" 38
"Cinematic"
"Tightrope" (featuring Scarlett Stevens) 2014 18
  • ARIA: Platinum[27]
"One for the City" (featuring Thomas Jules)
"Swear Jar" 2015 89 TBA
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

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  2. https://m.facebook.com/illyal/posts/10150276862461205
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  6. 3D World, 25 March 2009 Illy - Licensed To Ill by Matt Unicomb
  7. Stonnington Leader, 10 June 2009, "Keep-it-simple Illy hip hopping to quality"
  8. Hobart Mercury, 13 August 2009 "Illy communication"
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  21. https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/swear-jar-single/id1059641485
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