Having hit the ground running in February with the title track, Aussie indigenous Hip Hop artist Bryte picks up the pace with the release of his sophomore album ‘Bryte Side Of Life’. Out through TOO SOLID Records/MGM Distribution on 5th April, not only is the LP inspiring and reflective but it’s got multi-level humour that will both amuse and shock.
Born and raised in Brisbane, now living in Perth, Bryte has been exposed to many different experiences, attitudes and ways of life from a young age. Fostered from his sick mother at just a few days old, there is no question that Bryte’s depth of understanding comes out in his music. His positive vision of hope crossed
with his often harsh view of reality is found both in his lyrics and in the lines between, when what is not said is just as important as what is. Like so many who are drawn to Hip Hop, it’s all about keeping it real and for Bryte that is at the heart of everything he does.
Before the recording process started, feeling like a pivotal stage in his life was coming, Bryte stepped back to reflect and prepare his mindset for the task. He wanted to be sure that the final recording captured the messages he wanted to pass on; including his concerns about the world and common political issues. He also felt it was important that his quirky sense of humour, the down-to-earth and sometimes vulgar nature that Bryte is known to express through Hip Hop was instilled in the recording too.
“I want people to listen to this album and know who I am; a dedicated Indigenous artist, a teacher, a joker and most importantly a fellow human being” Bryte
Working with ARIA Award winning producer Dazastah (Hilltop Hoods, Downsyde, Phrase, Funkoars, Drapht) and engineer Rob Agostini (The Mummy 3, Tim & Jean, Yunyu, Blanche Dubois), Bryte felt strongly that the album should sound the best it could be, but was adamant that he stay true to his underground Hip Hop roots. Produced at Dazastah’s Lair in Perth over a 9 month period, the process
also included several naked girls, large amounts of homemade pale ale and the ongoing lingering smell of spicy laksa farts.
On the lyrical tip, Bryte was joined by Dazastah, SBX songstress Porsah Laine for a number of tracks, as well as Sione ‘Cortext’ Malamala and Ricko ‘Chekid’ Thornton who featured on ‘Chainsaw Dick’ a song that brought them all to their knees in spasms of laughter.
The first single and title track from the album ‘Bryte Side Of Life’ talks about the importance of picking yourself up when you’re down in the dumps and remembering that no matter how bad things get, there’s always someone worse off than you.
‘World On Strike’ is a heavy hitting track that Bryte felt he needed to write to alert people about the injustices of the financial world, when laws seem to be passed to benefit those of wealth. Adding further fuel to the fire are the hefty guitar riffs by Rob Agostini and ‘Desert Child’s Guy Ghouse.
‘Brainwash’ touches on media mind control systems and their effect on today’s society. It also explores the idea that some wealthy and powerful figures have the ability to control our minds. Moving with a swing, it features vocal stylings from the amazing ‘Porsah Laine’.
‘The Squeeze’ highlights Bryte’s humour containing a detailed audio story of him giving birth’ to his music career, introducing the next track ‘Gotcha Goin’ Like’ a very catchy song that Bryte and Dazastah collaborated on to capture the humorous side of Hip Hop.
‘Memory’ is dedicated to all the brains cells lost on Bryte’s quest to find out how wasted he could get and the harsh reality that follows smoking weed and drinking too much.
Although may be initially seen as derogatory, ‘Big Bitches’ is a song paying homage to full figured woman and aiming to instil pride in ladies with voluptuous curves. Along a similar vein as Sir Mix-A-Lot’s hit song ‘Baby Got Back’, Bryte proudly tells of his love of larger ladies across suitably phat swinging bass lines.
If you like hip hop with a bit of grunt, a few laughs and a whole lot of heart, all you really need to do is look on the Bryte side of life.
