One of Australia's original independent hip hop labels, Elefant Traks have called it a day, closing shop after almost 26 years of operation.
The Sydney label, which was home to such artists as Hermitude, The Herd, Horrorshow, L-FRESH The LION, Urthboy, Astronomy Class, Joelistics, Jane Tyrrell, B Wise, Sietta and so many more, was initially formed in 1998 by Kenny Sabir.After experiencing the lost of three close friends in three months, Kenny made a mixtape for a friend who was leaving to move overseas; soon enlisting a handful of friends who were inspired by the rapidly changing music technology and sense of activism involved, Elefant Traks soon emerged as one of the first artist-led labels in Australia.
"It was the dream to create a significant record label 26 years ago, and we chose the most tumultuous period in the history of the music industry to make our mark," says Kenny, "but the honours go to Tim, Dale, the ET workers over the years, to constantly adapting to find the edge and make this dream a reality."
The Elefant Traks catalogue contains almost 1,300 songs across 66 albums and 40 EPs; the label also promoted hundreds, if not thousands, of local shows as well hosting countless international tours.
One of Oz hip hop's most integral and consistent voices, Urthboy aka Tim Levinson began as a volunteer-artist at Elefant Traks in 1999 before taking the helm of the label in 2002. A member of The Herd (who were the heart and soul of the label in the earlier years) Tim would also branch out to manage Hermitide and Horrorshow.
Another member of The Herd, bassist Dale Harrison was another ET volunteer who joined the label officially in 2011 overseeing visual direction and production. Kaho Cheung and Richard Tamplenizza both spent 10-15 years in various roles.
Some of the label's most inspired ideas and cultural changes have come from staff like Caitlin McGregor, Ash Maher, Sereen Omran, Sally Coleman, Owen Field, Cecil Coleman, Jannah Beth, Carolina De La Piedra and Sofia Nicotra.
"Hearing about the closure of Elefant Traks felt like hearing an old friend was leaving town," says Caitlin McGregor, who now works at Handsome Tours and her own PR firm Crowd Favourite.
"Working at Elefant Traks was one of the greatest joys of my life. "My love goes out to Tim and Dale and the whole team at Elefant Traks, what a f...ing legacy. One of the greatest record labels ever in this country, and they did it all independently [haha, no I actually mean independently]. A sad day for music in this country."
Adds L-FRESH The LION: "Elefant Traks supported me in my early music career journey when others overlooked my talent or didn't understand my potential. If it weren't for their support, I wouldn't be the artist I am today."
Although officially the end of the line, Elefant Traks will stage one last round of events celebrating the history and legacy of the label. "We've proudly and independently championed underdogs for 26 years in a ruthless industry.
"We need to celebrate these things because although the end is near, we're not done yet." Stay tuned for more details.
"Special thanks to Inertia who signed ET as the first local label on their distribution roster back in 2001, as well as all the friends, agents, publishers, promoters, managers, swindlers and hustlers who've weaved their way in and out of our story."
