Mighty Big Crime was an Australian hip hop duo formed by Tricky J (Julien Lodge) and Gumpy (Andrew Phillips) (ex-Battle Happy) in 1986 in Melbourne. According to British record producer, David Courtney, he saw the pair MCing at an early performance in a pub, he got them signed to Virgin Records and provided their name. In 1987 they issued one of the first hip hop recordings in Australia, "16 Tons" and "Humber Mania Time". "16 Tons" is a rap cover version of Merle Travis' country song, "Sixteen Tons". "Humber Mania Time" was co-written by Lodge and Phillips; both tracks were recorded at Metropolis Studios and Pig Pen Studios, Melbourne with Courtney, and John Phillips producing. From March to July 1987 Tricky J also worked as a member of I'm Talking.
Michael Wellham of The Canberra Times described "16 Tons", "after listening to this it seems hard to believe that no one thought of doing a rap version of it before, no song was more deserving of the treatment. When you think about it Australia has been absolutely crying out for some rap artists of its own and is now in the position where it can sigh with relief as the void is filled." Wellham's colleague, Stuart Coupe, reviewed Australian rap and hip hop in June 1988. He observed that Mighty Big Crime are, "the first Australians to make a record in this style... who seem to fancy themselves as the southern hemisphere's version of the Beastie Boys."Their third single was a cover of Alice Cooper's "Schools Out". Their music video for "Dr. Dynamite" (1990) was nominated for ARIA Award for Best Video at the ARIA Music Awards of 1991. From 1991 to 1993 both Gumpy, on guitar and vocals, and Tricky J, on synthesiser, were members of Freaked Out Flower Children.
Members
''16 Tons / Humber Mania Time'' 1987 Virgin
''Outta My Face (Hey You) / Happy Hour On Hamburger Hill'' 1988 Virgin
''Schools Out / 2 Quick Too Catch'' 1989 Virgin
''Dr. Dynamite / Keep On Keepin' On'' 1990 Virgin
''Sugar Daddy / Groovy Garoo'' 1991 Virgin
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