Bliss N Eso

Emerging as enduring fixtures within Australia's hip-hop landscape, Bliss N Eso originated when a circle of schoolmates chose to channel their shared enthusiasm for music into a professional pursuit. The lineup—one emcee born in the United States, one Australian MC, and a DJ—advanced from independent roots to attain leading chart positions at home while attracting attention abroad. Their distinctive blend of American and Australian influences appeared across increasingly refined releases, among them the 2017 album Off the Grid.

MCs Bliss (Johnathan Notley) and Eso (Max MacKinnon) first connected while attending high school together in Sydney during the early 1990s. Following graduation they joined DJ Izm (Tarik Ejjamai) and began performing as Bliss N Esoterikizm in 2000, later shortening the name to Bliss N Eso.

Their earliest recording arrived as the self-released 2000 EP The Arrival. A 2004 signing with Melbourne's Obese label produced the debut album Flowers in the Pavement, whose beats were supplied by Bliss together with Weapon X and Suffa of the Hilltop Hoods. A further mixtape appeared afterward, a marketing method then routine in the United States yet rare in Australia.

The group next moved to Illusive Sounds, a Mushroom subsidiary. Day of the Dog appeared in 2006 and was later reissued with an additional disc of M-Phazes remixes under the title Day of the Dog: Phazed Out. In 2007 they collaborated with South Africa's touring Zulu Connection Choir on a version of Citizen Cope's "Bullet and a Target," tracked at Jimmy Barnes' home studio in Sydney; proceeds from the single benefited the Oaktree Foundation.

Bliss N Eso achieved their strongest commercial results in the late 2000s and early 2010s while maintaining an active touring and festival schedule. Flying Colours (2008) reached number ten on the Australian albums chart and earned gold certification. Running on Air (2010) and Circus in the Sky (2013), backed by a total of five gold singles, both debuted at number one and attained platinum status.

After the lead single "Dopamine" entered the Top 40 in 2016, completion of the sixth studio album was postponed following the fatal shooting of a stunt double on a video set. Featuring appearances by soul singer Lee Fields and Australian electro-pop artist Thief, Off the Grid finally emerged in spring 2017 on Illusive Sounds. The trio returned in 2020 with the new single "Lighthouse," which featured vocalist Jake Isaac.