NEW SINGLE: Downysde 'Slow Down' + Upcoming Album Stereotypez

Downsyde drop 'Slow Down' featuring Matty Gresham taken from the sixth studio album Stereotypez out Friday 11 October
+ National Tour with Flewnt and JJ Vacant!

Optamus, Dazastah and Beni Bjah aka Downsyde are thrilled to be back with their sixth studio album Stereotypez a 13-track LP stacked full of collaborations with some of their favourite local hip hop artists. 'Slow Down' featuring Matt Gresham has to drop today ahead of the album release on Friday 11 October via OptShop/MGM, celebrating the band's 30th anniversary with the first national headline tour in years.

"Slow Down is our street soul anthem. Matty Gresham and I were deep in the OptShop studio talking about life’s hustle and the need to just chill and take it easy. It’s more than a song, it’s a vibe we bring to life on stage, urging everyone to take a moment and appreciate the ride.” - Optamus

"This album is a labour of love, an ode to our diehard fans and the new school Downsydians. It's raw, it's real, and we can't wait for the crew to hear it.” - Optamus

With an old skool approach the trio have been teasing out the singles ahead of the full album drop over the past four years. The first single 'Odds', featured Beni Bjah, followed by 'Call' featuring James Abberley and First Nations Fire Management Practitioner Victor Steffensen, seeing the track added to rotation on Double J. 'Winding Road', the next taste came a little sooner in 2022, coupled with a performance at the Perth Festival as part of Flewnt’s Boorloo Block Party. Hot on the heels of 'Winding Road', came 'Po’ Boy', a collaboration with Harts and a fresh take on Howling Wolf’s 'Poor Boy'. This was part of the Chess Records tribute album Everybody Knows I’m Here.

Stereotypez, is a powerful blend of sound and stories crafted over three years and recorded in secluded spots around WA including Exmouth in the Kimberley region, a quirky house in Fremantle and Optamus’ back shed/hit factory/laboratory the Opt Shop.  The record marks a new era, with live instruments, including Dazastah on Dilla-esque drums and a haunting harpsicle, adding fresh depth to their classic bangers. New member Beni Bjah and the OG Shabaz bring fresh fire, especially on the New York-inspired track 'Never Walk Away. With its raw energy, social justice themes, and unmistakable Downsyde grit, Stereotypez is the perfect soundtrack for any occasion.

 Stereotypez Album Tracklisting:
1. Intro feat. Rob Shaker
2. Odds feat. Sam Nafie
3. Really Know
4. Cal feat. James Abberley and Victor Steffensen
5. Heaven Is A Bud
6. All Out War Part One
7. Winding Road feat. Sam Nafie
8. Slow Down feat. Matt Gresham
9. Flip The Bird feat. James Abberley
10. Never Walk Away
11. Tyrants
12. All Out War Part Two
13. We Go Hard

Between albums, drinks, and family time, Dazastah produced for and toured with Drapht and produced for A.B. Original. Optamus released a solo album, ran hip hop workshops in regional Indigenous communities, prisons and schools, and snagged himself a nomination for a golden WAMi aka West Australian Music Award for services to the industry.

With five acclaimed albums under their belt, the trio have collected a stack of awards including Australian Dance Music Awards Best Debut Artist, multiple WAM awards for Best Urban Music / HipHop Act and Most Popular Local Original Album along the way, and have toured nationally and internationally numerous times, including having supported the likes of The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, The Black Eyed Peas and Public Enemy, gaining Chuck D as a huge fan along the way.

Get ready to move and celebrate with the unstoppable legacy that is Downsyde plus the next generation of hip hop stars when Downsyde light up stages nationwide with SBX representatives Flewnt and JJ Vacant and local artists this October and November.

'Slow Down' Ft. Matty Gresham out Monday 23 September 

Stereotypez out Friday 11 October via OptShop/MGM 

Stereotypez Album Tour 2024
Saturday 12 October - Can You Keep A Secret, Brisbane, QLD
Supports: Flewnt + JJ Vacant + More TBA 
Tickets

Saturday 19 October - Laundry Bar,  Melbourne, VIC
Supports: Flewnt + JJ Vacant + More TBA 
Tickets

Saturday 2 November - Northern Sound System,  Adelaide, SA
Supports: Flewnt + JJ Vacant + More TBA 
Tickets

Saturday 9 November - Republic Bar,  Hobart, TAS
Supports: Flewnt + JJ Vacant + More TBA 
Tickets

Saturday 30 November - Mojo’s Fremantle, WA
Supports: JJ Vacant + Jamahl Ryder + More TBA 
Tickets