THE OPTIMEN

It was that most unlikely, unheard of and unimaginable of settings – a Brisbane house party, that first brought The Optimen together. The year was 2001 and the crew that formed that night included Sammsonite, DATS & Kristoff the Russian, DJ Damage (The Terntable Jediz) and MPC Wizard Peter Beaty. From the start, it became quickly apparent that the glue holding the crew together was a shared commitment to not only raise both the bar for Australian hip-hop, but also never lose the “Quality over Quantity” mentality. It’s a mission that still drives them today.



A year later, The Optimen’s first release, an eight-track EP entitled “02: Breath Control”, received national attention and considerable airplay on national youth broadcaster Triple J. It was this release that would set the foundation for what was yet to come.



In November 2005 The Optimen’s multi-award-winning debut full-length release “Boomtown” dropped. With its signature sound, crunching boom-bap beats, airtight lyrical delivery and surgically precise cuts, the record blew away any doubts about the crew’s reputation as one of the finest hip hop acts in the country. The first single from Boomtown “Give it Up”, received high rotation on Triple J, and was given the nod twice at the 2006 MusicOz Awards – taking out the Roland Best Urban Artist & The Channel V Best Film Clip Awards. That night, The Optimen rocked a capacity Enmore Theatre proving why Industry had stood up, taken notice and given the crew their vote – now it was time for the fans to do the same. In that same year, The Optimen won a slew of peer based awards on Ozhiphop.com, the southern hemispheres largest online hip hop community. That sort of attention was not just in the local scene, with the crew’s incredible production work gaining the attention of respected US artists Thirstin Howl III & MF Grimm. With this level of respect coming from the US underground, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world opens their ears and takes notice.



Not resting on their laurels, The Optimen went straight back to the lab to produce 2007’s “The Optimen present Red Tape Renegades Vol1”. A phenomenal album, it showcased the crew’s production prowess and lyrical abilities. The release also formally introduced the other artists on The Optimen’s own independent label Red Tape Entertainment – Balboa & Anonymouz (Canada) and young local crew Pure Product. This was followed up by a national tour (Sound the Horns) which saw the motley crew known affectionately as The Red Tape Renegades; hit the road to meet the people. With their full live show in tow – and the addition of the former premier of QLD Mr Peter Beaty on the MPC – the clique ran amuck, impressing the crowds with their signature show.



After Red Tape Renegades and the release of Pure Products 2007 debut LP “Eviction Notice” – which featured entirely Optimen produced beats – the boys knew it was time to get back in the studio and produce their next release. And that time in the studio has produced their ridiculous new album “The Out of Money Experience”. With the new record set to drop, The Optimen are ready to once again set fire to radios and stages across the country.



The OptimenBreath Control Released: 2002 Format: CD The OptimenGive It Up 12" Released: 2005 Format: Vinyl The OptimenBoomtown Released: 2005 Format: CD



The Optimen Presents:Red Tape Renegades Vol.1 Released: 2007 Format: CD



The OptimenFire Fighters Released: 2009 Format: DownloadCLICK FOR FREE DOWNLOAD



The OptimenThe Out Of Money Experience Released: 2010 Format: CD



Management & Bookings:

Micheal Thornely - info@theoptimen.com



Publicist:

Evan Alexander - admin@heapsaflash.com.au