A selection of Aussie hip hop artists have gathered together to celebrate the genre’s Golden Era, quite literally.

Golden Era Records is the South Australian-based record label founded by none other than Adelaide’s own Hilltop Hoods, and since its inception in 2008 (after the ‘Hoods left Obese Records) Golden Era has brought a burgeoning field of talent to Aussie hip hop.

The label’s legacy is also wrapped in the annual Golden Era Mixtape, and the latest edition in the famed series is set to drop tonight, as a free download at 6pm from the official website.

The Golden Era Mixtape 2014 follows in the tradition of its forebears, designed to throw the listener “back to the way [they] during the golden era of hip hop” with an A-list roster featuring Hilltop Hoods, scene veterans Funkoars, as well as Golden Era regulars Briggs, Vents, Trials, K21, and Adfu.

The tracklisting will also have hip hop heads drooling, thanks to a special guest appearance from Toronto’s Notes To Self (partnering with Hilltop Hoods on ‘All Of The Above’) and a list of rappers spitting rhymes over beats taken from music by Flume (specifically, his remix of Gurrumul), Brooklyn rap royal Nas, and more.

You can listen to a cut from the Golden Era Mixtape 2014, K21’s ‘Get It Done’, and view the artwork and tracklisting at bottom. And don’t forget to hit the Golden Era website from 6pm for the free download.

In related news, the Golden Era Mixtape 2014 drops the same day that applications close for Hilltop Hoods’ $10,000 grant.

The HTH Initiative is a partnership with royalties agency APRA | AMCOS designed to give emerging Aussie hip hop and soul artists a major leg-up – open to artists nation-wide. As well as the bank-busting $10k, the winning applicant will be assisted with the manufacture, marketing and release of a full-length album as well as legal advice from David Vodicka and Media Arts Lawyers, plus Zoo York Clothing and Shure Microphone prize packs.

The panel of judges tasked with selecting the 2014 HTH Initiative winner is handpicked by Hilltop Hoods themselves and features Koolism’s Hau Latukefu, who also present’s Triple J’s Hip Hop Show; Booking Agent, Promoter, and manager for Def Wish Cast and Dialectrix, Ran-Dee, as well as Graffiti Artist/Community Worker Nish, and Raph – a local artist, owner of Blank Clothing and author Behind The Beat. Expanding the panel from 2013 is the addition of Tommy Illfigga, aka QLD MC/beat-boxer/producer Tom Thum.

Application forms are available here and the winner will be announced on Friday 28th March (full details at HilltoopHoods.com or APRA | AMCOS.com.au).

Golden Era Mixtape 2014

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