Three Sixty
360 (Mike Justice and Chapter 1) make music that represents the true spirit, love and legacy of those who first created the culture and music. They hope to contribute to the local and international scenes with substance, integrity, relevance and meaning while innovating and elevating the state of hip hop and touching the minds, hearts and souls of music lovers worldwide. And oh yeah…Too get paid at the same time!
360 was born not long after the CO OP crew stopped making Flipside Television back in 2001. Mike Justice was determined to continue in the musical hustle and it was at this same point (summer 2000-1) that he linked with Chapter 1. Let’s just say that ‘real recognise real’ and they soon began making music and performing together under the guise of 360. The crews’ name, pronounced three sixty, represents the 360° in the circle of life and their attempt to stay in tune and balance with that. As a result, as Justice says they rap on a wide range of issues.
“We rap about everything within the 360 degree spectrum of life. Whether it’s the good, the bad, the ugly, the lies, the tricks, politics, war, love, emotion, need for upliftment, freedom or the straight up party jam. We’ve even got some ‘1984’ science-fiction orientated lyrics and of coarse a little something for the ladies.” You best believe the crew gets deep. And even if they do have to take a look twice, ultimately these brothers are tyring to stay wise, knowledgeable and maintain the ability to overstand all situations life throws at them, capture that vibe and put in their music.
An Australian born and Harlem raised MC, Chapter One is no joke. Born the son of two jazz musicians, composition is in his blood, giving him the musical instinct of a lion stalking its prey. It’s all day baby. Growing up playing sax in the footsteps of his father (Kenny Garret) and playing the keys while his mother (Chris McNulty) sang, it was only a matter of time before he got his hands on some equipment and began to get loose with some raw hip hop production. But please, don’t get it twisted the kid also spits rhymes.
In tune with the 360 mantra, Chapter (real name Samuel McNulty) rhymes on a wide range of issues that remain close to the roots of hip hop culture before so much of it was corrupted by the nature of the industry. Growing up in the underground New York scene has kept him close to the struggle of his people and gave him the motivation needed to sharpen his skills and spit intelligent rhymes that most MCs appreciate, leaving connoisseurs and critics alike shaking their heads wondering what the hell the kid just did.
After spitting flames of ice in New York City high schools and city blocks with the underground crew, Dragon League, Chapter decided to take a hiatus from the raw hustle that is everyday NYC Life. Arriving back in Australia in 2000 he soon moved to Melbourne and linked with the rest of the 360 team and continued perfect the craft, writing rhymes, making beats and performing and promoting across the local scene.
Born in England, and growing up between London, Canberra and South America, Mike Justice brings a truly international flavour to the Australian hip hop scene. In 1992, after arriving back from musically rich city of London he went on to promote hip hop events and co-host a radio show in the capital. Soon J had moved to Melbourne and began working with the CO-OP crew establishing himself within a handful of local MCs; getting down and busting rhymes long before it had become the trend that it is now.
Growing up listening to Public Enemy, Native Tongues to NWA and Reggae greats Bob Marley and Gregory Isaacs, Justice comes with the universal love of beats and lyricism that defined the early essence of hip hop. Justice writes about politics, war and our need for social change as well as our need to escape these realities and just have fun. As one of the founding members of the ‘360 team’ you best believe he spits universal wisdom keeping his skills sharp enough to give birth to new songs on a daily basis while still murdering any MC who feels the need to test.
Back in 1999 he and several members of the CO-OP crew (Old school legend Fela B and well travelled fusion artist Michael Pablo) formed Flipside Television. Flipside was an uncut raw musical program with significant political, cultural and artistic insights into the local and international hip hop scene. The show aired on Channel 31 and Optus Vision and was a huge success. During this time Justice interviewed, rapped and chilled with a number of local and international cats. Including the likes of Jurassic 5, Black Eyed Peas, Pharcyde, Company Flow, Mr Lif, DJ Dexter and old school legends DJ Cash Money and Shock G. Since then Justice has been in the mix all be it on the down low, continuing to perform and promote at local clubs such as Purple Emerald and The Evelyn.
Right now he’s in the lab working hard on some new product with the rest of the team, which like all real hip hop, is set to hit the global scene right in the heart, mind, body and soul, shaking the Australian game up forever and a day!
