Abraham Poni
Abraham Poni
66 Records Co-Founder / Director
Abraham Poni is co-founder of 66 Records (pronounced "sixty-six records" or "double-six") the first ever African-Australian record label that came together in the basement studio of the Collingwood housing projects in Melbourne's inner-city. 66 Records is making history both sonic and politically as it pushes for authenticity within a nation where previously hip hop has been predominantly white thereby lacking in genuineness. With the finger in the pulse of the African-diaspora communities, 66 Records tells the real stories that need to be heard. Their sound spans the breadth of trap and hip-hop into a modern landscape where the rules are yet to be written. Fostering a fluid and versatile environment where artists can freely navigate their creativity, 66 Records brings forward a platter of fresh new talent - from the cinematic bars of Baby T, to Babyface Mal's laconic suave, Eco$ystem’s syrupy trap-flavored beats, Lil Jaye’s sweat-soaked trap bangers that suspend reality and banish melancholy, and Manuella’s empowered and confessional RnB. 66 Records has quickly amassed a massive following online, with thousands of subscribers and millions of views, as well as international press and attention, formulating a first-of-its-kind partnership with Warner Music Australia in 2020.
Related Sessions
Hip-Hop: How a Generation Is Changing the World
THU, OCT 19, 11:30 AM
Conference
Few cultural forces have empowered minority groups like hip-hop has. In recent years, thanks to the power of the internet, this revolutionary wave has firmly touched our shores and seen Australia become the latest hotbed of global hip-hop talent. But this is no accident. It is the effect of an abundance of diverse ethnic communities, combined with a long legacy of street culture, and a generation who knew how to best showcase their stories in an online world. As it has done globally, hip-hop is beginning to influence other areas of life in Australia; from social conscience to music industry operations, to the political landscape. We sit down with key figureheads and thought leaders among the current global generation of Australian Hip-Hop to discuss their remarkable journeys in building community, and how recent lessons learned from the domestic rise of hip-hop can ensure its longevity and sustainable impact for generations to come.