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Hilltop hoods are greatly influenced by classical sounds. The Hilltop Hoods have dropped albums and then later on released remixes of the entire albums calling them "Restrung" with the same songs, but with all backing music performed by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Their producer is influenced by classical music as you can hear in his production.

Hilltop hoods further acknowledge their interest in classical music in an article with Suffa saying “We’re very posh; we like strings,” and Pressure MC concurring with : “We love the power and emotion strings can deliver like no other instrument can.” (McCabe, 2014)

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Their dream, vision and their mindset influenced them to do the things they have achieved. Without a vision, there would be no reality for the Hilltop Hoods and it shows that if you set out to achieve something, it can be done if you are willing to work hard for it.

You don't release album after album, tour the country and sell out shows by sitting on your couch at home. You release albums with a mindset to make it a reality, and the same goes for anything in your life.

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In a song, Pressure MC speaks on the struggle of dealing with his Son's Leukaemia and the journey that follows. In a song off of their 'Walking under Stars' album, Pressure says "So I wrote this to give you hope, for every good thing in life you'll live to know, They say cancers survivors are gifted though - Let me know if that isn’t so" ("Through The Dark", 2014).

As someone who had Leukaemia at 6 weeks old and survived, I resonated with this song deeply and still inspires me every time I listen to it

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8 albums in 9 years requires serious dedication, and I feel as though Kerser has left a blueprint for upcoming artists and people still living life on the street and that there is a way out.

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A major influence on my brother is Lebron James. My brother looks up to his drive and dedication as an athlete both on and off the court, and how professional he is when going about his business.

My brother studies Lebron James in the way he moves on the court, the way he trains and how he prioritises recovery ensuring his body is at its peak. My brother approaches life in a similar way.

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This is where the musical influence would've started as it did with myself. My dad was in a band as a teenager/young adult and played Guitar in a Rock band. My dad taught my brother a few chords and the rest is history. Having that musical influence growing up would definitely have inspired him to pick up the guitar and develop his own character with it.

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The correlation between the two is that they both grew up experiencing their share of obstacles, but used music as a way to express themselves as they both made it out of their criminally influenced neighbourhoods. Eminem and Kerser although the extremities differ, are living life musically and financially successful. In an interview on Youtube,, Kerser reinstates Eminem's influence and artists pushing the barriers with their music. (Daily, Operations, 2018)

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Hip-hop consists of 4 elements. These elements include MC'ing, DJ'ing, Graffiti and a style of dance which is referred to as 'Breaking' or B-boy'ing. The name 'Kerser' derives from the word that he used to paint on walls growing up, so it's quite clear that graffiti culture had a significant influence on Kerser and his lifestyle.

"For myself, from about year five me and some kids would put graffiti everywhere and my tag was Kerser and it turned into my nickname. Then I started rapping and it just stuck." (Emcee Kerser, 2013)

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Tupac was an advocate for free thinking and self expression. He experienced his fair share of struggle and hardship growing up which was well documented in his rhymes, and although the extremities differ, their lives on the street can somewhat correlate, considering they've both used their platforms to address life issues. Kerser's mindset shifted from being a listener, to someone who can pick up a pen and do the same as his idols.

"It all started when Kerser was 11-years-old in Campbelltown rapping along to Tupac who eventually moved from idol to influence"(Lachlan Kanoniuk, 2013)

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Linkin Park was one of the first heavier bands my brother got into and I remember him jamming out to "One Step Closer" on Rage growing up. Linkin Park inspired the heavy influence in his music which led to him and his friends in high school starting a metal band.

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Kerser is another hip-hop artist from Sydney, Australia. Now I don't actually listen to Kerser's music, buy his albums or attend his shows but from afar, I've watched his progression over the years and to see someone come from the streets of South-West Sydney, caught in a life of crime and heavy drug use turn his life around through music, a vision and strong work ethic is monumental, and now he's selling out shows all over the country and living his best life. Kerser wasn't necessarily inspired by Hip-hop in Australia as he felt as though he couldn't relate to the content, and according to (Vincent, 2014), "He was obsessed with the darker sounds of Tupac, 50 Cent and Eminem"

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Hilltop hoods are a group from Adelaide, consisting of two artists and a DJ. Hilltop hoods have been around for 20 years and are still putting out releases to this day. I first heard a Hilltop Hoods song when I was 12 and loved what I heard. People don't sell out tours, put out albums for 20 years and gain a following by sitting on their couch. Hilltop Hoods have worked their ass off to get to where they are and I find their journey really inspiring.

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My brother is a big influence of mine. Throughout our lives we have battled similar hardships and the way he goes about life is inspiring. He has played at relatively high levels of football, he has been successful with music and the only other person in our family to complete year 12. I admire his work ethic and his drive to be a better athlete, a better musician and an even better person.

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I find that I relate to these artists in a very big way through similar upbringings or experiences growing up. Each of these people are influences and have in one way or another, either impacted my own music or the way I approach life. Influences are unique and help shape our perspective.

Above are my influences and further on are the influences on my influence and how they all connect and correlate with each other in some way.