Melbourne hip-hop duo Low Budget have been lassoed into the spotlight recently, taking out the title of 2009 Splendour in the Grass Competition winner on Triple J, after featuring on Unearthed since 2006.

Certainly reigniting my appreciation for good hip-hop and no doubt many others out there, the duo’s somewhat old school, uniquely funky, and certainly smooth as silk sound on their latest release Laserdisc, solidifies MC Gentleman Gene and producer and DJ Debonair P as serious experts in their craft. DJ Debonair could not have got the mash of disco, funk and head-nodding base more right, with Gentleman Gene’s effortlessly delivered and mostly tongue-in-cheek lyrics the final ingredient in rounding out each track on Laserdisc just nicely.

Tracks ‘Tailor Made’, ‘Freak Mystique’ and ‘Knockout Performance’ could leave a fan of almost any musical persuasion weak at the knees and feeling like they’ve been hit with the proverbial funk stick, ready to hit the dance floor. Each track on the album is seamlessly crafted and delivered with finesse.

Certainly not to be forgotten is Low Budget’s highly praised 2006 debut release Magnasound. ‘Speak To Your Mind’, ‘Gotta Act’ and ‘Handle Ours’ are especially catchy tracks, with Gentleman Gene again delivering his signature playful lyrics against Debonair’s super smooth, fabulously funky beats.

The boys have also had the opportunity to support some fine international hip-hop acts in the past such as the US’s Atmosphere and People Under The Stairs, as well as Adelaide’s The Funkoars (‘What’s Your Malfunction’ currently getting much airplay on Triple J).

My hot tip (and as a Melbournian you may think I’m being biased), is that these boys are going to become a bigger and better presence on the Australian hip-hop music scene…watch this space! Those lucky enough to have had Splendour tickets in their back pocket had the opportunity to check out the boys set last month. The rest of us can catch them at various venues in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory over the coming months; check out Low Budget’s website at www.myspace.com/lowbudgetmusic for further details.

Catch Low Budget at the following venues between August and November:

21 Aug             First Floor, *On The Up 2*, Fitzroy, VIC

22 Aug            The Annandale, Sydney, NSW TBC

4 Sept              Bull & Bear, *Debonair P DJ set*, Adelaide, SA

5 Sept              Crown & Sceptre Hotel, *Laserdisc Adelaide album launch*, Adelaide, SA

21 Nov              Trackside Festival, Canberra, ACT 

Julia Innocenzi

CHECK OUT THE LATEST SINGLE FROM LOW BUDGET

Low Budget “Tailor Made” from Low Budget on Vimeo.