Alasdair David George Murray (born 6 September 1986), professionally known as Illy, is an Australian rapper from

Frankston, Victoria Frankston is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Frankston local government area. Frankston recorded a population of 37,331 at the 2021 census. Due ...

. Illy first emerged onto the hip hop scene in 2009 and has released five studio albums and has won multiple

ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...

. Illy has performed at many Australian music festivals including headline spots at Groovin the Moo,

Splendour in the Grass Splendour in the Grass (commonly referred to as Splendour) is an annual Australian music festival held at the North Byron Parklands in Yelgun, New South Wales. Since its inauguration, the festival has also been held in various locations near ...

, Spilt Milk and

Yours and Owls Yours and Owls is a brand and annual music festival that is held in Wollongong, Australia. It originally started as a coffee shop, then a gallery and restaurant space, then a music venue, then pop-up gigs, a record label, and now holds an ann ...

Early life

Alasdair David George Murray was born on 6 September 1986 in Frankston,

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

, Australia.

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 UniTas 2011

Illy released his first album, ''Long Story Short'' in 2009. ''Long Story Short'' reached No. 24 on the ARIA Top 40 Urban Albums chart and the lead single, "Pictures", was placed on national rotation on

Triple J Triple J (stylised in all lowercase) is a government-funded, national Australian Radio in Australia, radio station intended to appeal to listeners of alternative music, which began broadcasting in January 1975. The station also places a greate ...

. In April 2010, Illy embarked on his first national headlining tour, playing 12 dates nationally. In September the same year, Illy toured nationally alongside Australian rappers 360 and Skryptcha for "The Three Up Tour". Illy featured on the track "Take It from Me" on producer

M-Phazes Mark Landon (born 1 February 1983), better known by his stage name M-Phazes, is an Australian-born producer based in LA. He has produced records for Logic, Demi Lovato, Madonna, Eminem, Kehlani, Zara Larsson, Remi Wolf, Kiiara, Noah Cyrus, ...

' 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. At the

ARIA Music Awards of 2011 The 25th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) were a series of award ceremonies which included the 2011 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fi ...

''The Chase'' was nominated for the

ARIA Award for Best Urban Album The ARIA Music Award for Best Urban Album, was an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards, which recognises "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", since 1987. It was handed out by the Australian Recording Ind ...

2012–15: ''Bring It Back'' and ''Cinematic''

In May 2012, Illy released "

Heard It All "Heard It All" is a song by Australian rapper Illy and was released in May 2012 as the lead single from Illy's third studio album, '' Bring It Back''. "Heard It All" peaked at number 48 on the ARIA Charts The ARIA Charts are the main Aust ...

", the lead single from his third studio album. In September 2012, Illy released his third album, '' Bring It Back'', which peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Charts. 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. At the

ARIA Music Awards of 2013 The 27th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) were a series of award ceremonies which included the 2013 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fin ...

, ''Bring It Back'' won Illy his first

ARIA Music Award The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austra ...

, winning

. In September 2013, Illy left Obese Records to set up his own label, ONETWO records, and signed South Australian hip hop artist

Allday Tomas Henry Gaynor (born 21 February 1991), known professionally as Allday, is an Australian rapper, singer and songwriter from Adelaide, South Australia. Gaynor became active in 2011, when he began uploading his music for free online. Followin ...

. In November 2013, Illy released his fourth studio album, ''

Cinematic Cinematic describes anything related to ''cinema''. It may refer to: any movie updates, cinema nights, cinematic review Film-related * Cinematic cutscene, a sequence in a video game that is not interactive * Cinematic music, original music writt ...

''. The album debuted at number 4 on the ARIA Charts. In March 2014, the album's fourth single "

Tightrope Tightrope walking, also called funambulism, is the skill of walking along a thin wire or rope. It has a long tradition in various countries and is commonly associated with the circus. Other skills similar to tightrope walking include slack rope ...

" 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 Celia Pavey, known professionally as Vera Blue, is an Australian singer-songwriter signed with Island Records Australia, which is part of Universal Music Australia. Her folk-inspired album ''This Music'' peaked at number 14 on the Australian A ...

, 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 Anne-Marie Rose Nicholson (born 7 April 1991) is an English singer. She has attained charting singles on the UK Singles Chart, including Clean Bandit's "Rockabye (song), Rockabye", which peaked at number one, as well as "Alarm (Anne-Marie song ...

, 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. At the

ARIA Music Awards of 2017 The 31st Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) are a series of award ceremonies which include the 2017 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fine ...

, 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 2 years. Singles "Codes" and "Lean on Me" followed in 2019. On 13 February 2020, Illy released "Last Laugh" On 22 May 2020, Australian radio station

premiered a new song by Illy titled "Parmas In June", created as part of a

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...

self-isolation musical challenge nicknamed Quarantune. ''

The Space Between "The Space Between" is a song written by the Dave Matthews Band. It was released on their 2001 album, '' Everyday''. It was the album's first hit single and the band's first top 40 hit, with its peak at number 22 in the United States – several ...

'' was released in 2021.

2022: return to Warner

In October 2022, Illy resigned with Warner Music and released "Like You".

Discography

* '' Long Story Short'' (2009) * '' The Chase'' (2010) * '' Bring It Back'' (2012) * ''

'' (2013) * '' Two Degrees'' (2016) * ''

'' (2021)

Awards

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as

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. History The inaugural 2006 awards were held at ...

) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. , - , rowspan="2" , AIR Awards of 2011 , "It Can Wait" , Best Independent Single/EP , , - , ''The Chase'' , Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album , , - ,

AIR Awards of 2013 The AIR Awards of 2013 (or Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards of 2013) is the eighth annual Australian Independent Record Labels Association Music Awards (generally known as the AIR Awards) and was an award ceremony at Revolt Art Space, in Mel ...

, ''Bring it Back'' , Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album , , -

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. , - , rowspan="2",

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

, , "On and On" , , Urban Work of the Year , , , - , "Youngbloods" , , Urban Work of the Year , , , - ,

2015 File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...

, , "

" (featuring

Scarlett Stevens Scarlett Stevens is an Australian singer/drummer from the indie band San Cisco, The Flairz and grunge band Ghetto Crystals. She has performed on recordings by Bob Evans (musician), Bob Evans and Illy (rapper), Illy. She is the daughter of Phil St ...

) , , Urban Work of the Year , , , - ,

2017 File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...

, , " Papercuts" (featuring

) , , Urban Work of the Year , , , - , rowspan="2",

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...

, , " Catch 22" (featuring

) , , Urban Work of the Year , , , - , "Oh My" (featuring

Jenna McDougall Tonight Alive are an Australian rock band from Sydney. As of 2018, the band consists of lead vocalist Jenna McDougall, guitarist Jake Hardy, bassist Cameron Adler, and drummer Matty Best. Formed in 2008 by Hardy, Adler and Whakaio Taahi, soo ...

) , , Urban Work of the Year , , , - , rowspan="2",

2020 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...

, , "

Exit Sign An exit sign is a pictogram or short text in a public facility (such as a building, aircraft, or boat) denoting the location of the closest emergency exit to be used in case of fire or other emergency that requires rapid evacuation. Most rele ...

" (

Hilltop Hoods Hilltop Hoods is an Australian hip hop group that formed in 1996 in Blackwood, Adelaide, South Australia. They are regarded as pioneers of the "larrikin-like" style of Australian hip hop. The group was founded by Suffa (Matthew David Lambert) a ...

featuring Illy and

Ecca Vandal Ecca Vandal is a South African-born, Tamil, Sri Lankan artist. She is a singer-songwriter and rapper currently living in Melbourne, Australia. To date Ecca Vandal has released one self-titled studio album and one EP: ''End of Time''. Early lif ...

) , , Most Performed Urban Work of the Year , , , - , "Then What" , , Most Performed Urban Work of the Year , , , -

ARIA Awards

The

is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of

Australian music The music of Australia has an extensive history made of music societies. Indigenous Australian music forms a significant part of the unique heritage of a 40,000- to 60,000-year history which produced the iconic didgeridoo. Contemporary fusions of ...

. They commenced in 1987. Illy has won two trophies from nineteen nominations. ! , - ,

2011 File:2011 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: a protester partaking in Occupy Wall Street heralds the beginning of the Occupy movement; protests against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed that October; a young man celebrate ...

, , ''The Chase'' , , Best Urban Album , , , , rowspan="19", , - ,

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...

, , ''Bring it Back'' , , Best Urban Album , , , - ,

, , ''Cinematic'' , , Best Urban Album , , , - , rowspan="6",

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

, , rowspan="6", "Papercuts" , , Best Male Artist , , , - , Best Pop Release , , , - , Song of the Year , , , - , Best Video , , , - , Engineer of the Year , , , - , Producer of the Year , , , - , rowspan="6",

, , rowspan="3", ''Two Degrees'' , , Album of the Year , , , - , Best Male Artist , , , - , Best Urban Album , , , - , "Catch 22" (featuring Anne-Marie) (directed by Mark Alston) , , Best Video , , , - , "Catch 22" (featuring Anne-Marie) , , Song of the Year , , , - , The Two Degrees Tour , , Best Australian Live Act , , , - , rowspan="2",

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

, , ''Then What'' , , Best Hip Hop Release , , , - , "Exit Sign"(with Hilltop Hoods and Ecca Vandal) , , Best Video , , , - , rowspan="2",

, , "Last Laugh" , , Hip Hop Release , , , - , "Exit Sign"(with Hilltop Hoods and Ecca Vandal) , , Song of the Year, , , - ,

2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...

, ,

for ''The Space Between'' , ,

ARIA Award for Producer of the Year The ARIA Music Award for Producer of the Year, is an award presented within the Artisan Awards at the annual ARIA Music Awards. The ARIA Awards recognise "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", and have been given by t ...

, , , , , -

J Award

The

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 and which are judged by the music and on-air teams from radio stations Triple J, ...

are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-own ...

's youth-focused radio station

. They commenced in 2005. , - ,

J Awards of 2014 The J Award of 2014 is the tenth annual J Awards, established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J Triple J (stylised in all lowercase) is a government-funded, national Australian Radio in Austral ...

, "One for the City" , Australian Video of the Year ,

MTV Europe Music Awards

The

MTV Europe Music Awards The MTV Europe Music Awards (originally named MTV European Music Awards, commonly abbreviated as MTV EMA) are awards presented by Paramount International Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture. It was originally conceived as an al ...

is an award presented by

Viacom International Media Networks Paramount International Networks (PIN) is the international division of Paramount Global. The division oversees the production, broadcasting and promotion of key Paramount's brands outside of the United States. These brands include Paramount Net ...

to honour artists and music in

pop culture Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop!, a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Albums * Pop (Gas al ...

. , - ,

, himself , Best Australian Act , , -

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Illy 1986 births APRA Award winners ARIA Award winners Australian hip hop musicians Australian male rappers Living people Sony Music Australia artists