1200 Techniques

Australia's hip-hop underground had existed since the late 1980s, yet mainstream acceptance within the wider music industry only arrived in 2001. 1200 Techniques helped drive that shift through singles that charted, guest spots on programs such as John Safran's Music Jamboree, and an eclectic mix of rock, dance, and funk elements that persuaded skeptical listeners the country could produce credible hip-hop.

DJ Peril had already spent years immersed in Melbourne's scene when he encountered MC Kabba performing at a local pub in 1997 and decided to assemble a group. Kabba recruited his brother and frequent songwriting collaborator Nfamas, who had gained earlier notice through a series of biscuit advertisements. Peril's own brother Kemstar, previously the rock guitarist in Quarter2Nine, completed the lineup. Kemstar's forceful riff supplied the core of their debut track, "Hard as Hell." Taking their name from the Technics SL-1200 turntables that Peril commanded, the trio issued the song as a single accompanied by a video that styled them after the street gang in The Warriors.

While developing material for a debut album, Kabba relocated to the U.K., leaving Nfamas as lead MC. Now operating as a trio, they issued the 2001 EP Infinite Styles and the album Choose One the following year. Choose One achieved unexpected crossover impact, earning ARIA awards for Best Independent Release and for the clip of its opening single "Karma," which reached the national Top 40. At the 2002 national Dance Music Awards they received the Best Hip-Hop Act honor, noting that they felt they didn't deserve it when there were so many other talented acts in the scene who hadn't achieved a similar level of success.

Consistency Theory, their second album, appeared in 2004 and confirmed their standing with further chart entries and festival tours. The following year the members placed the project on hiatus to focus on individual pursuits. DJ Peril and Nfamas, now recording as N'fa, each released solo albums, while Kemstar joined the Jack to contribute tracks to the soundtrack of Thunderstruck, the AC/DC tribute film.