If lyrical currency counts for anything in Hip Hop, D’Opus & Roshambo have a 'Million Dollar Bill' in their debut album. After two years locked inside their Canberra studio the duo have released The Switch, a record as anticipated as an act of Parliament.
D’Opus (a.k.a. Ross Garrett) has brought a heavy arsenal of artist collaborations to the album. Before fusing with Roshambo in 2003 he shared stages with the Jungle Brothers, DJ Q-Bert, Mr. Thing and De La Soul. This album is cut with D’Opus’ meticulous production and clarity of vision. Roshambo (a.k.a. Rowan Thomson) narrates the darker reality of Australian life through a melodic mix of jazz, funk, old school Hip Hop and drum ‘n’ bass rhythms.
Since fusing in 2004, D’O & Ro have animated crowds at the Stonefest Festival, the Trinity Bar Block Party and Corinbank Festival. Their celebrated EP The Question rippled through the national dials of Triple J and KISS FM, which prompted the duo to produce something that would break their own conventions. The role call on The Switch reads through some notable guests; USA’s Supastition crossing the Atlantic to appear with the boys on Leave Her Alone. Local Hip Hop talent never forgotten, Axe Aklins, Carts2Deadly, Minky Faber also lend their skill.
A maverick of Hip Hop production, The Switch holds a microphone up to the capitals underbelly, with tracks hitting the hard social issues against an Australian backdrop. Including collaborations with local indie band Hancock Basement and vocalist Cris Clucas, D’Opus & Roshambo create a smooth hybrid of sound launched with the single Million Dollar Bill. The classic sounds of an Aussie Hip Hop anthem is laced with symphony, soul and like most of the tracks on this album, drum ‘n’ bass.
The Basement is solid Hip Hop/electronica with a deeper side to the beats. With Hancock Basement, D’O & Ro elevate their music from the underground of Australian music into a broader sound and time - "People down in the basement, we’re bringin’ it up" – this album is as much a revolution of the band as the sound they spin.
From classic scratch and beats to political pop-rockin’, The Switch will turn Hip Hop off its axis. With a video-to-come and the single release of Million Dollar Bill, 2008 is going to be a million dollar year for D’Opus & Roshambo.
The Switch will be released on June 28 through Shogun Distribution
