Australia has been kind to one of its formative hip hop outfits the Hilltop Hoods, but nobody could accuse them of not giving anything back, considering that each year they join forces with APRA AMCOS to give out $10,000 as part of the Hilltop Hoods Initiative.

Awarded each year since 2005, the money goes to a fledgling artist in need of some extra cash to help get their careers off the ground. Originally just for South Australians, the grant has been open to the rest of the country for a few years now, so you can let any of your favourite acts to give it a go and apply.

The only catch? They have to be either a hip hop or soul artist, which is understandable considering the name behind it. There’s plenty of aspiring Aussie talent in both genres right now, so we can’t complain. Past winners have included the likes of Sarah Connor, who is about to support U.S. legend Brother Ali on his Aussie tour – no pressure.

An all-star panel of local names had been put in charge of picking this year’s winners, with a broad range of backgrounds:

  • Hau (ACT) – Artist (Koolism), Presenter (triple j’s The Hip Hop Show)
  • Sosefina Fuamoli (SA) – Editor of The AU Review
  • Nish (SA) – Graffiti Artist, Indigenous Community Worker, Promoter
  • Ran-Dee (NSW) – Booking Agent, Manager & Promoter at Joint Adventure (DJ Total Eclipse, Soul Benefits)
  • Raph (VIC) – Artist, clothing label owner (Blank Clothing), author (Behind The Beat)
  • Tom Thum/Tommy Illfigga (QLD) – MC, Beat Boxer, Graffiti Artist, B-boy, Producer

The chosen artist won’t just be given the cash and then be left to their own devices, though, with the winner also receiving legal advice from David Vodicka and Media Arts Lawyers and a bit of free merch.

To be in the running, artists can’t have released an album on a commercial label (makes sense), they need to be an Australian citizen and, yep, they need to be an APRA AMCOS member –  which they should be, anyway.

More details on the grant, and exactly what it can and can’t be used for are available online, where you can also apply if you think you fit the bill. Entries open today, and close on March 21, with the winner being announced on May 11.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine