Illy (rapper)

Alasdair David George Murray (born 6 September 1986), professionally known as Illy, is an Australian rapper from Frankston, Victoria. Illy first emerged onto the hip hop scene in 2009. He has released five studio albums and has won multiple ARIA Music Awards.[1] Illy has performed at many Australian music festivals including headline spots at Groovin' the Moo, Splendour in the Grass, Spilt Milk and Yours and Owls.

Illy
Illy at the ARIA Music Awards of 2013
Illy at the ARIA Music Awards of 2013
Background information
Birth nameAlasdair David George Murray
Born (1986-09-06) 6 September 1986
Frankston, Victoria, Australia
GenresAustralian hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, singer, songwriter
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websiteillyal.com

Early life

Alasdair David George Murray was born on 6 September 1986[2][3] in Frankston, Melbourne, Australia.[4]

Career

2009–2011: Long Story Short and The Chase

Before his solo career, Illy was a member of Crooked Eye, but opted to leave the group.

Illy performing at the University of Tasmania in 2011

Illy released his first album, Long Story Short in 2009.[5][6][7] Long Story Short reached No. 24 on the ARIA Top 40 Urban Albums chart[8] and the lead single, "Pictures", was placed on national rotation on Triple J.[9] In April 2010, Illy embarked on his first national headlining tour, playing 12 dates nationally.[10] In September the same year, Illy toured nationally alongside Australian rappers 360 and Skryptcha for "The Three Up Tour".[11] Illy featured on the track "Take It from Me" on producer M-Phazes' 2010 debut album Good Gracious.

In 2010, Illy released the singles "The Chase" and "Cigarettes" and in October 2010, released his second studio album The Chase. The Chase peaked at number 25 on the ARIA Charts. The album's third single, "It Can Wait" became Illy's first charting single on the Australian Singles Chart, peaking at number fifty-eight. In February 2011, Illy embarked on his 14-date nationwide "The Chase Tour", with special guest M-Phazes. In October 2011, "It Can Wait" was certified Gold by ARIA after selling 35,000 copies.[12] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2011 The Chase was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Urban Album.

2012–2015: Bring It Back and Cinematic

In May 2012, Illy released "Heard It All", the lead single from his third studio album.[13] In September 2012, Illy released his third album, Bring It Back, which peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Charts.[14] Illy described the album as a "passion project" and a "tribute" to the Australian hip hop scene. A 24-date nationwide tour supported the release, with Australian hip-hop producer Chasm and Skryptcha as support acts.[15]

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013, Bring It Back won Illy his first ARIA Music Award, winning ARIA Award for Best Urban Album.[16] In September 2013, Illy left Obese Records to set up his own label, ONETWO records, and signed South Australian hip hop artist Allday.[17][18]

In November 2013, Illy released his fourth studio album, Cinematic. The album debuted at number 4 on the ARIA Charts. In March 2014, the album's fourth single "Tightrope" became Illy's first top 20 single, peaking at number 18.

2016–2021: Two Degrees and The Space Between

In July 2016, Illy released "Papercuts", featuring Vera Blue, which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA charts. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2016, the song was nominated for four awards. In October 2016, Illy released "Catch 22" featuring Anne-Marie, which peaked at number 11 on the ARIA charts. In November 2016, Illy released his fifth studio album, Two Degrees which debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA charts.[19] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, the album was nominated for three awards. "You Say When" and "Oh My" were released as singles in 2017. Illy toured the album and won ARIA Award for Best Australian Live Act at the ARIA Music Awards of 2017.

On 24 May 2019, Illy released "Then What"; his first new release in two years.[20] Singles "Codes" and "Lean on Me" followed in 2019. On 13 February 2020, Illy released "Last Laugh"[21]

On 22 May 2020, Australian radio station Triple J premiered a new song by Illy titled "Parmas In June", created as part of a COVID-19 self-isolation musical challenge nicknamed Quarantune.[22]

The Space Between was released in 2021.

2022–present: Return to Warner

In October 2022, Illy resigned with Warner Music and released "Like You".[23] This was followed in October 2023 by "Hopeless".[24]

Discography
Main article: Illy discography

Awards

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's independent music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
AIR Awards of 2011[27][28] "It Can Wait" Best Independent Single/EP Nominated
The Chase Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2013[29] Bring it Back Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album Nominated

APRA Awards

The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2017 (generally known as APRA Awards) are an annual awards ceremony to award outstanding achievements in contemporary songwriting, composing and publishing. Illy has won three awards from eight nominations.[30][31][32]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014"On and On"Urban Work of the YearNominated
"Youngbloods"Urban Work of the YearNominated
2015"Tightrope" (featuring Scarlett Stevens)Urban Work of the YearWon
2017"Papercuts" (featuring Vera Blue)Urban Work of the YearWon
2018"Catch 22" (featuring Anne-Marie)Urban Work of the YearWon
"Oh My" (featuring Jenna McDougall)Urban Work of the YearNominated
2020"Exit Sign" (Hilltop Hoods featuring Illy and Ecca Vandal)Most Performed Urban Work of the YearNominated
"Then What"Most Performed Urban Work of the YearNominated

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. Illy has won two trophies from nineteen nominations.[33][34]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2011The ChaseBest Urban AlbumNominated
2013Bring it BackBest Urban AlbumWon
2014CinematicBest Urban AlbumNominated
2016"Papercuts"Best Male ArtistNominated
Best Pop ReleaseNominated
Song of the YearNominated
Best VideoNominated
Engineer of the YearNominated
Producer of the YearNominated
2017Two DegreesAlbum of the YearNominated
Best Male ArtistNominated
Best Urban AlbumNominated
"Catch 22" (featuring Anne-Marie) (directed by Mark Alston)Best VideoNominated
"Catch 22" (featuring Anne-Marie)Song of the YearNominated
The Two Degrees TourBest Australian Live ActWon
2019Then WhatBest Hip Hop ReleaseNominated
"Exit Sign"(with Hilltop Hoods and Ecca Vandal)Best VideoNominated
2020"Last Laugh"Hip Hop ReleaseNominated
"Exit Sign"(with Hilltop Hoods and Ecca Vandal)Song of the YearNominated
2021M-Phazes for The Space BetweenARIA Award for Producer of the YearNominated[35]

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
J Awards of 2014[36] "One for the City" Australian Video of the Year Nominated

MTV Europe Music Awards

The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017[37] himself Best Australian Act Nominated

References
  1. "Aria Awards". ariaawards.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  2. "Illy on Facebook: "Haha, jesus, look at my wall!!! Thank you guys. 25 was the best year of my life, and you guys played a bigger part in that than you'll probably ever realise. You lot mean the world to me, really. So thank you, I'm humbled by the love, I swear it's reciprocated, and I'm going to try and make 26 even better. New album before I'm 27 – crossed heart promise. Catch you at a show, we will drink to the good times! LOVE ILLY AL MURRAY xo"". 6 September 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2020 – via Facebook.
  3. "Rapper Illy spends his birthday in Howard Springs quarantine". The Daily Telegraph. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020. (subscription required)
  4. "Illy – The Chase Tour Interview". Girl. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011.
  5. 3D World, 25 March 2009 Illy – Licensed To Ill by Matt Unicomb
  6. Stonnington Leader, 10 June 2009, "Keep-it-simple Illy hip hopping to quality"
  7. Hobart Mercury, 13 August 2009 "Illy communication"
  8. "ARIA Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles". ARIA. 21 September 2009. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  9. "hitlist (by artist): triple j music". ABC. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  10. "Illy – Pictures 2010 Tour + New Acoustic CD". All Aussie Hip-Hop. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  11. "Illy – The Chase (Initial Details) + The Three Up Tour". All Aussie Hip-Hop. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  12. "Illy Goes ARIA Gold!". All Aussie Hip-Hop. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  13. "Heard it all by Illy @ J Play". J Play. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  14. ""Bring It Back", Illy". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  15. "Bring It Back Tour Announced for August/September!!!". IllyAl.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  16. "Aria Awards / 2013 Best Urban Album". Aria Awards. AUSTRALIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION. 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  17. Paul Cashmere (28 September 2013). "Illy Launches Label And Signs Allday". Noise11. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  18. "ILLY, TUKA, ALLDAY & ELEMONT – HOW FAR". Illy Official Website. October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  19. "Illy ARIA chart Debut".
  20. "SOTD: Illy answers the question, 'Then What'?". The Music Network. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  21. "Spotify – Illy – Last Laugh". Spotify.
  22. "Illy's Quarantune is a longing ode to having a parma at the pub". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  23. "Illy Releases New Single 'Like You' and Re-Signs with Warner Music Australia". Music Feeds. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  24. "Illy Releases an Anthem for Hopeless Romantics". Tone Deaf. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  25. Fuamoli, Sose (17 July 2020). "First Spin: Illy shares G Flip collab "Loose Ends", teases new album". ABC. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  26. "I had a finished album in March, due to release in May. Then September. Then October 24. Now next year". twitter. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  27. "Independent Music Awards Nominees Announced". tonedeaf. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  28. "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  29. "Final AIR Awards 2013 Nominations Revealed, $50,000 Prize Announced". tonedeaf. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  30. "Urban Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  31. "Urban Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  32. "Urban Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  33. "Aria Awards".
  34. "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  35. Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  36. "The J Award 2014". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  37. "MTV EMAs 2017: Rita Ora sported a dressing gown on red carpet in London". news.com.au. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
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