A.B. Original: The Uncompromising Voice of Australian Hip-Hop
A.B. Original is a politically charged Australian hip-hop duo formed by emcees and producers Briggs and Trials. Hailing from the state of Victoria, the group's debut album Reclaim Australia became a landmark release, winning the Australian Music Prize in 2016 and achieving gold certification.
Early career
The duo officially formed in 2015, but the partnership was built on years of individual groundwork. Briggs, a Yorta Yorta man from Shepparton, and Trials, a Ngarrindjeri man from Adelaide, were both established solo artists and producers within the Australian scene. Their collaboration was a deliberate fusion of their sharp production skills and a shared, urgent desire to address Indigenous Australian issues through music.
Breakthrough
A.B. Original's breakthrough arrived in late 2016 with their incendiary debut album Reclaim Australia, released through Golden Era Records and Bad Apples Music. The album debuted at number 13 on the ARIA Albums Chart and its confrontational lead single January 26, featuring Dan Sultan, sparked national debate. The album's critical and commercial success was cemented when it won the prestigious Australian Music Prize in 2017.
Key tracks
January 26 — This collaboration with Dan Sultan directly challenges the celebration of Australia Day, a date marking British colonization, and became a national anthem of protest.
Report to the Mist — Featuring Gurrumul and Dewayne Everettsmith, this track blends powerful hip-hop with haunting traditional vocals to address Indigenous deaths in custody.
Dead in a Minute — A high-energy, aggressive posse cut featuring Caiti Baker and Kira Puru that showcases the duo's raw production and technical rap skill.
2 Black 2 Strong — This defiant collaboration with Thelma Plum asserts Indigenous pride and resilience against systemic racism.
The duo's impact extended beyond their own recordings through prolific collaborations. They have worked with artists like Paul Kelly on his track A Bastard Like Me, and produced for others, embedding their sound in the wider Australian music landscape. Their live performances are known for their intense energy and unapologetic messaging, solidifying their reputation as a vital, confrontational force. The work of A.B. Original continues to influence a new generation of artists speaking truth to power through hip-hop.
Listeners of A.B. Original's potent Australian hip-hop also explore the work of similar artists. Baker Boy blends hip-hop with Indigenous language and dance music. The Kid LAROI represents a newer generation of Australian hip-hop achieving global crossover. Sampa The Great offers a similarly conscious and poetic approach to the genre. Hilltop Hoods share a foundational role in popularizing Australian hip-hop with intricate wordplay.
The music of A.B. Original receives regular airplay on Australian alternative radio stations and independent music radio stations that prioritize bold, socially conscious artists. Their tracks are featured on hip-hop and urban-focused FM stations and online radio streams dedicated to contemporary Australian sounds.
You can hear the powerful music of A.B. Original on radio stations featured on our website. Explore and listen to their essential hip-hop catalog through the diverse radio stations available on onairium.com.
