Obese Records

1995–2004: Early years

In 1995, graffiti writer and DJ Ollie Bobbit opened up a record store at 4A Izett Street, located within the Melbourne suburb of Prahran called "O.B.'s Records."^[1][2][3][4] With only A$2000, one clothes rack and one crate of vinyl, Bobbit started the business in the back of a skateboarding store in the neighbouring Greville Street, before eventually relocating to Izett Street. In 1998, Bobbit sold the business to Shazlek One (Shaheen Waheed), who changed the name to "Obese Records" as a pun on his weight made by Bias B (Adam Stevens). ^[5] Shazlek laid down the early foundations for the store's in-house record label, which launched in 2000. Its first two releases were Reason's Solid and the first volume of the Culture of Kings compilation album series, both of which came out that year. In 2002, the store was bought by rapper and Obese employee Pegz (Tirren Staaf), who had been affiliated with the business since 1996 and had worked at the Izett Street retail store since 2000.^[6]

According to Pegz, there were few other labels specialising in Australian hip-hop at the time, and none who were putting significant funds into marketing,^[7] with him stating "It was about giving the people around me the opportunity they deserved."^[8] Pegz used the label to create a distribution network,^[9] and in 2005 he purchased the Zenith Records vinyl pressing plant, one of only two companies then still pressing vinyl records in Australia.^[10] The pressing plant was subsequently sold in November 2007.^[11]

Under Pegz's new management, the label's first release was a second volume of Culture of Kings in October 2002, which featured formative releases from Hilltop Hoods, TZU, Hunter, Koolism, Terra Firma, Lyrical Commission, Downsyde, Layla, Bliss n Eso, Funkoars, DJ Bonez, Delta, Brad Strut, Bias B, The Hospice Crew and Brothers Stoney, and was the first Australian hip-hop album to be selected for the Triple J feature album spot.^[14] A sister compilation, ObeseCity, was also released by the label that same year. Pegz described these compilations as "key networking tools" for the growing Australian hip-hop scene.^[15]

In 2003, Hilltop Hoods released their breakout album, The Calling, under the Obese label. The album was the first Australian hip hop album to be certified Gold and Platinum in 2004 and 2006 respectively, and has been credited by critics and fans alike with "legitimising" Australian hip hop and helping it become a commercially viable genre.^[16]

2005–2015: Expansion and later years

In 2006, Hilltop Hoods were nominated and won awards for Best Performing Independent Album (The Hard Road) and Best Independent Artist at that year's Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Chart Awards.

Two artists associated with the label were nominated for four AIR Chart Awards in 2007 (three for Hilltop Hoods and one for Muph & Plutonic).^[17] At the 2007 ARIA Awards, the Hilltop Hoods won 'Best Urban Release' for their album The Hard Road: Restrung.^[18] The Hilltop Hoods DVD, The City of Light, released by Obese Records in 2007, has also been classified gold. In 2008, two artists on the Obese label, Muph & Plutonic and Spit Syndicate, received nominations for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards.^[19] In 2010 M-Phazes' album, Good Gracious, was nominated for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards.^[20]

In 2008, Hilltops Hoods departured from Obese Records to start their own label, Golden Era Records, with EMI.^[21] Obese continued to focus on both established artists and underground local acts,^[15] and founded the subsidiary soul label Plethora Records, in 2009.^[22][21]

In 2012, Obese filmed episodes for a new web series, Obese TV.^[21] In 2013, Obese Records signed its first management contract with Kerser, at that point having divisions for sales, publicity, marketing, accounts, and A&R.^[23] On 8 March that same year, Pegz expanded the company by opening a second retail store at 6 Wells Street in the Melbourne neighbourhood of Frankston, which stocked music, merchandise, street apparel, spray paint, art supplies, DVDs, and street art magazines.^[23][24]

Periscope Pictures announced on 19 September 2013, that Obese Records would be distributing its documentary Hunter: For The Record locally in Australia. The feature film chronicles hip-hop artist Robert Hunter before his death from cancer in 2011. Hunter had released all his albums on Obese, and in conjunction with the DVD, the label released his final album, Bring it All Back, posthumously.^[25]

In 2014, Obese Records relocated from its original spot at 4A Izett Street in Prahran, to 211 Commercial Road in South Yarra, and in the following year, sold its Frankston store just two years after opening.

2016–present: Closure and legacy

On 7 May 2016, after 21 years, Pegz shut down Obese Records.^[26] While no specific reasons were given, Pegz released a short statement the week before, expressing his gratitude:^[27]

"I am so thankful for the times we shared. We ruled the country for a beautiful moment. The little record store that launched Australian hip-hop to the masses. Thank you for your amazing support and contribution over her 21 years."

Following the shutdown, artists and fans took to Facebook to share anecdotes and memories of the business. Dialectrix stated "No one has been more instrumental in helping my music career than Pegz and everyone who’s helped me over the years at Obese Records," and Hau Latukefu (of Koolism) stated "At one point, you couldn't go anywhere without seeing an 'Obese Records: Fatter Than Ya Mama' sticker posted on a wall, a street sign or a car's back window. It's safe to say, local hip hop wouldn't be where it is now without their input."^[28]

A 2026 documentary covering the history of Melbourne's hip-hop scene titled "Undeniable: The Evolution of Melbourne Hip-Hop" features interviews from former staff and artists affiliated with Obese Records, with DJ FX (Kerris Aickin) stating in the film "Obese Records were like the saving grace for hip-hop music in Melbourne."