As an artist, Mantra has covered a huge amount of ground in the last eight years. One of Australia’s most popular rappers, he is an Obese Records alumni with two albums under his belt, an outstanding amount of airplay and, above all, the kind of respect that earned him the label ‘your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper’. From being a daydreaming kid writing beats for his mates, to rising the ranks of the Melbourne Hip-Hop scene as an MC, Mantra has followed his heart with conviction and pride. Immeasurably shaped by tragedy, in 2003 Mantra’s friend Hani Ghaleb Jaber – the same friend who first encouraged him to become an MC – was murdered. This incident, and the reflection it brought about in Mantra, has helped shape and reiterate his path ever since, injecting his work with a realness that would later become his signature. In 2010, Mantra was snapped up by iconic label Obese Records – putting him in the company of Australian Hip-Hop’s greatest talents. His first album, 2010’s Power Of The Spoken, was incendiary. A success with fans and critics across the country, Power Of The Spoken was thematically diverse and creative, threaded together with a relentless Hip-Hop soul. Heavily requested on radio, Power Of The Spoken found itself in the coveted triple j Feature Album spot, which helped catapult Mantra to legions of new fans. Following up in 2011, Mantra’s second album, Speaking Volumes, was a significant artistic step forward and a huge personal statement. Dedicated to Hani Ghaleb Jaber and featuring the powerful eulogy For You; Speaking Volumes showed the depth and complexity that Mantra can reach with his music. Big collaborations were part of the record’s big sound, with guest verses from Promoe, Drapht, Urthboy and Illy throughout Speaking Volumes, and production credits going to the mighty M-Phazes, El Gusto and Mista Savona. Led by first single Got Me Wrong, which became triple j’s most requested song the week of its release, Speaking Volumes maintained Mantra’s lofty position with his fans, his peers and the media. Back in 2013 with a new single and a new label, Mantra has kicked off the year by signing with Ten To Two Records and dropping his first song for the label, Loudmouth. Autobiographical and unapologetic, Loudmouth tells the story of Mantra’s path from class clown to MC, laying a serious chorus hook over an irresistible beat. The first song of a new era in his career, Loudmouth is the perfect start to a big year for Mantra as he settles into a new label and a new record. mantraemcee.com twitter.com/mantra_mc youtube.com/mantraemcee tentotworecords.com