Bliss N Eso

Originally known as Bliss N Esoterikizm, then shortened to the snappier version, three-strong hip-hop powerhouse Bliss N Eso bridges the gap between Aussie and American rap. The outfit's two MCs — the American born Bliss (Jonathan Notley) and Sydney native Eso (Max MacKinnon) — joined forces with DJ Izm (Tarik Ejjamai) while still at school, and helped nurture and define the homegrown hip-hop with debut EP The Arrival before breaking through with 2004's Flowers in the Pavement. That success brought a tour support slot with 50 Cent and paved the way for two further albums (plus a solid M-Phazes re-mix of Day of the Dog). The 2008 single "Woodstock 2008," with its inventive surf-twang-over-beefy-brass samples and thunderous beats, highlights the crew's ever-sharp pioneering edge.