Balls deep in Australian hip hop since 1999. Born from an egg on a mountain top, I-Raq Records burst forth from the womb in jets of bloody mucous in 1999 - the brainchild of the secret Illuminati brotherhood pulling the strings of Canberra-based musical monsters Koolism. After being forced at gun point to release epic EP's 'The Season' and 'Blue Notes' along with the stone cold Australian classic
'Pt.1' in 2000, the boys quickly realised that being signed to a label that contributed absolutely nothing to them beyond a shoddy logo and misguided criticism was slightly less than optimal and decided to escape - going on to arguably greater things on some other khant's label before ever managing to release the remaining EPs of the mythical Koolism 4 part series. Tearfully waving farewell to their departed bredren whilst simultaneously stuffing tea towels into the gaping holes in their collective heart to stem the flow of grief-tinged, yet heroic, hip hop golden era-issued blood, I-Raq Records immediately turned it's dynamism and endless creative ability to the fashion world, morphing into Article Don apparel - in the process managing to piggy back off the success of Koolism for at least a few more years as it churned out seminal threads in it's South-East Asian sweatshops staffed by under-aged tarsiers, paid entirely in synthetic grasshoppers (made in Article Don's Bangladesh-based synthetic insect factories). The 2000's saw a steady stream of releases from KOA Sound System alumni, Koolism and Axe Aklins - conquering ear canals both here and abroad, occasionally moistening the odd panty liner and armpit in the process, yet somehow accidentally forgetting to come out through the immortal I-Raq Records label. Fast fwd to 2016 where after years of harassment from industry peers and fans as far away as Uzbekistan and Cooma, the council of learned elders that oversaw the creation of the musical powerhouse that is I-Raq Muthaf**ken Records has agreed to again unleash the Deathrow Records of Tuggeranong upon an unsuspecting and extremely vulnerable public (who're just asking for it, look at the way they're dressed!). Right out the gate we've got some heavy s**t ready to unload on your ears and distribute forcefully about the general cranial and thoracic zones. Coming straight out of Queanbeyan with the force of 11 yowies duct taped together to make 1 giant voltron yowie is the Magnificent Axe Aklins, who has been locked away in his rap dungeon steadily crafting epic blood-soaked tales of street violence and young love over the past 2 years. Expect a mixtape, album and several EPs coming your way post haste khants! On top of that, supersonic undercover corporate mobster duo KPI are pushing for poll position as first official release on the reborn I-Raq Records with their debut masterpiece being mixed down as I punch these keys (and your face if you don't cop these releases). Pure dusty, crusty, golden era stylee hip hop devoid of all forms of trendy f**kery and softness. Get that s**t somewhere else, ya sweet little chocolate dipped marshmallow with sprinkles and s**t...
Stay tuned brothers and sisters. Proper vibes soon to be obtained from this corrupt yet admirable vibe merchant with a heart of gold, I-Raq Records. Spread the word! (I already told your mums). Share this s**t and keep checking back for more updates. hopefully some download links and clips to be posted soon. One love khants!
