One of the all-time talented West Coast lyricists Ras Kass has teamed up with Australian rappers Alerts and Simplex on the new single “The Vortex” filmed across Los Angles and Brisbane in Australia’s northeast. The near 4-minute single has long been in the works and delayed by COVID-19 travel restrictions, with film production companies No.One Network and Revolving Productions seamlessly overcoming the physical distance barriers to provide a quality product of the highest order befitting of the lyrical content – watch below.
The new single finishes off in some respects Ras Kass’s recent debut tour of Australia’s East Coast in which he was supported nationally by rising Australian rapper Alerts prior to the global pandemic that has meant all major international tours are on hold for now. This first natural collaboration between these three extends itself to potentially not being the last time we see them together on a track carrying on with that classic boom-bap flavor that has gone well and truly international. A new and exciting chapter for the legendary Ras Kass, proving his influence as one of hip hop’s greats knows no real boundaries. “The Vortex” is out now.
New Alerts x Greeley of THCtv film clip coming soon
Adelaide emcee Alerts has dropped his new single “Southside” via YouTube tonight featuring Purpose, produced by Suffa of the Hilltop Hoods, mixed by Simplex and featuring cuts by DJ Sanchez. The three-minute offering from the pair gives a full 360-degree insight into growing up in the Southern Suburbs of Adelaide, affectionately known by many as the Southside.
Per capita, the Southside of ADL has arguably produced more nationally prominent rappers than anywhere in Australia with the likes of Hilltop Hoods, Delta, The Funkoars, Terra Firma, Prime, Prime, K21, After Hours and Train Of Thought all coming from the South and this track continues the legacy of quality – check below.
Alerts first came to national attention on Simplex’s debut Obese Records solo album “Audio Biography” through the standout posse cut track Opus Operandi along with Australian legends Delta of Nuffsaid Records and the ever-talented Motions. His memorable show stopping live performance accompanying this song at Home Grown for Da Klinic’s 10 th birthday bash in July 2011 at the now defunct HQ Complex main room really put him on notice. The track earned a place in esteemed Sydney DJ’s Shan Frenzie’s memorable Show & Prove mixtape showcasing the best hip hop released that year across the country along with the likes of Trem, Bias B, Drapht, Mantra plus more.
Alerts would go on to collaborate significantly with Kimence, as well as with a careful selection of Adelaide best including Mnops, Social Change, DJ Dyems and most recently Conseps. It is his stand- alone music however which has really established himself in his own right and led to support slots with the likes of Royce Da 5’9, Ras Kass, Kerser, Kings Konekted, Tech N9ne, Raekwon & Slick Rick, Skrub, Complete, Wombat, Rates, Delta, Cormega, Spice 1 and Fat Joe since 2015 leading him to headline his own gigs. Having performed all up and down Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania, Alerts has built a reputation for himself somewhat the old-fashioned way as a writer and performer from the ground up with a swell of support.
Back in late March 2018 almost two years ago to the day, Alerts dropped his impressive debut “The Prisoner” track produced by Simplex of Terra Firma. With the captivating visuals to the song executed by Josh Davis & Heath Kerr (Heata) of 1984 Films, the 4:20 minute offering has been played over 42,000 times on YouTube alone – a strong effort for his first independently released, unfiltered track.
Following a busy period of extensive performances across the country, the in-demand follow up was the three and a half minute “Get It” single released in June 2019, again produced by Simplex. The continuity in production work of the pairing of Alerts and Simplex sounds and feels like a natural fit and served as popular follow up to the breakthrough The Prisoner track. The music video is again Executed by Josh Davis and Heath Kerr of 1984 Films, really showcasing their diverse talents behind the lens. Get It also spawned a recent remix by Simplex, providing a fresh take on a heartfelt track.
Stay tuned – more Alerts music on the way soon, from the Southside to nation wide.