Allday: Australian Hip-Hop and Pop Innovator
Allday is an Australian rapper, singer, and songwriter who has carved a distinct path in the local hip-hop and pop landscape. Hailing from Adelaide, his major label debut album, Startup Cult, charted at number 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart in 2014, cementing his commercial arrival.
Early career
Born Tom Gaynor in 1992, Allday began his musical journey in Adelaide before relocating to Melbourne. His initial steps involved self-releasing mixtapes online, building a grassroots following through platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube. This independent hustle caught the attention of the indie label One Two, which released his early EP The Garden in 2013.
Breakthrough
Allday's mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2014 with the infectious single You Always Know the DJ. The track's success propelled his debut album, Startup Cult, to a number 2 debut on the ARIA chart and earned a gold certification in Australia. This success led to a signing with major label EMI Music Australia for his subsequent work.
Key tracks
You Always Know the DJ — This 2014 single became his signature hit, achieving platinum status and defining his early melodic rap style.
Right Now — A key track from his 2017 album Speeding, it showcased a more polished, pop-oriented direction and charted within the ARIA Top 40.
Wonder Drug — Featuring Japanese Wallpaper, this song highlighted Allday's introspective songwriting and atmospheric production on his 2021 album Drinking With My Smoking Friends.
After All This Time — This collaboration with singer-songwriter Mark Diamond demonstrated his versatility and continued relevance in the Australian music scene.
His artistic evolution continued with albums like 2017's Speeding and 2021's Drinking With My Smoking Friends, which saw him delve deeper into indie-pop and alternative sounds. Notable collaborations include working with artists like Mallrat, Japanese Wallpaper, and The Veronicas, broadening his appeal beyond traditional hip-hop circles. Allday has consistently placed albums in the ARIA Top 10, including 2019's Starry Night Over the Phone.
Fans of Allday's blend of introspective lyrics and catchy melodies might also enjoy other Australian artists shaping modern hip-hop and pop. Mallrat shares a similar genre-blending approach and has collaborated with Allday. The Kid LAROI represents the next generation of Australian artists achieving global success from a hip-hop foundation. Tkay Maidza offers a dynamic and inventive take on rap and electronic music. Cosmo's Midnight connects through shared collaborative spaces and a polished, electronic-pop sensibility.
Allday's music maintains a strong presence on Australian alternative and pop radio stations, as well as on dedicated online hip-hop radio streams. His tracks are regularly featured in rotations that highlight contemporary Australian talent, ensuring his sound reaches a broad audience of listeners.
Listeners can discover the music of Allday, from his early hits to his latest releases, by tuning into the radio stations featured on onairium.com. Our curated selection of stations provides a direct channel to experience this artist's evolving catalog within the context of modern Australian hip-hop and pop.
