South West Syndicate’s lyrics deal with systemic racism, inequality, politics and Indigenous rights, all set to a hip-hop beat that reflects their origins in the 1980s and 90s. Originating from the 1985 breakdance and graffiti crew “Black Connection”, SWS are pioneers of Australian rap who started their careers in the same era as American artists like N.W.A. Similarly, they use music to tell stories of life in disadvantaged areas, in their case Southwest Sydney. Unlike most American rap groups, SWS comprise First Nations, Lebanese Australian, Pacific Islander, Croatian, German and Anglo members, including the ‘grandfather of Indigenous hip-hop’, Munkimuk.
The crew are Munkimuk, Dax, Big Naz, Brothablack, Baby Tez, Danielle Tuwai, Eb’s and all the SWS family
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Not in ACMI's collection
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Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
195893
Curatorial section
The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Australia → MA-04. Music Video
Object Types
Moving image file/Digital