Phrase (rapper)

Harley Webster (born 1981) – better known as Phrase – is an Australian hip hop MC, originating from Melbourne.

Phrase
Birth nameHarley Webster
Also known asBig Phrase
OriginMelbourne, Australia
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1996–2011
LabelsMarlin/Universal
Associated actsDaniel Merriweather
Illy
Jan Skubiszewski
Jade MacRae
Websitewww.myspace.com/bigphrase

History

Phrase began to piece together an album with producers Daniel Merriweather and J-Skub (Jan Skubiszewki), while working part-time for the Reach Youth foundation,[1] an organisation that Phrase credits with helping him overcome behavioural problems he had in his mid-teens.[1] The album, Talk with Force was picked up for national release by Universal Music Australia in 2005. Three singles were released from this album, "Here Now" featuring Mystro, "Catch Phrase" featuring Daniel Merriweather, and "Hold On" featuring labelmate Max White.

In 2007 he founded the record label Crooked Eye with DJ Flagrant and J-Skub.[2] The label's first release was a mixtape by Melbourne MC Illy (which Phrase also appears on). The same year, he released the non-album single "Face It" featuring Ian Kenny from Karnivool and Birds of Tokyo; which was used in the marketing campaign for the Australian release of Halo 3[3]

In 2009 Phrase released his second album Clockwork, which included the high-rotation Triple J singles "Skylight" (featuring Kram) and "Clockwork". The album reached No. 26 on the ARIA albums chart[4] and No. 6 on the ARIA Urban albums chart.

In 2011, Phrase returned with a new sound for his 3rd album Babylon. The first single was "Apart" featuring Davey Lane. Other guest artists featured on the album included Jimmy Barnes, Sparkadia's Alex Burnett, Guineafowl, The Preatures and Jane Doe. During an interview with Reegan from Radar, Phrase said that 'Babylon is not a hip-hop album, but an album with rap on it.'[5] Following a tour in support of the album, Phrase withdrew from making music. He has not performed live or released any new material since.

Personal life

Phrase married Australian R&B singer Jade MacRae.[6] He attended Glen Waverley Secondary College as a teen; his father was an English teacher there. He has two sisters – a tattooist and an actress.

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes
  • Talk with Force Mixtape (2005)

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[7]		 AUS Urban
[7]		 AUS Aust
[7]		 AUS Hits
[7]
"Here Now" / "Talk with Force" 2005 ———13 Talk with Force
"Catch Phrase" 2006 5515161
"Hold On" 6014191
"Face It" 2007 —36—15 Non-album single
"Clockwork" 2008 ———12 Clockwork
"Skylight" (featuring Kram) ————
"Spaceship" 2009 —28—5
"All Good" ————
"The Day You Went Away" (featuring Wendy Matthews) ————
"Push Up" 2010 ————
"Never Fade" ———— Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.


Guest appearances
  • Daniel Merriweather – "Pot of Gold", "Crimson Stone" (Merriweather promo EP, 2004)
  • Jade MacRae – "Superstar" (Crooked Eye remix) (single, 2005)
  • Mystro – "MC Sick C*!t" (Diggi Down Under, 2006)
  • Jase – "Four Seasons" (Jase Connection Vol. 1, 2006)
  • Juse – "Tied Up" (Global Casino, 2006)
  • Chopper Read – "Real Life" (Interview with a Madman, 2006)
  • Infallible – "Two Sides of a Coin" (The Stratosphere)
  • Amiel – "Following the Sun" (Crooked Eye remix) (Be Your Girl single, 2006)
  • Tycotic – (The People vs. Tycotic mixtape, 2006)
  • Illy – "Talk with Force 2007" (The Illy Mixtape, 2007)
  • Tyree – "Ryders" (Now or Never, 2007)
  • Bliss n Eso – "Happy in My Hoody" (Flying Colours, 2008)
  • Illy – "For You" (Long Story Short, 2009)
  • M-Phazes – "Music Box" (Good Gracious, 2010)

Awards and nominations
  • Nomination, 2006 ARIA Best Urban Release Talk with Force[8]
  • Nomination, 2007 Urban Music Awards Best Male Artist[9]
  • Winner, 2007 Urban Music Awards Best Hip Hop Single "Hold On"[10]
  • Winner, 2007 Urban Music Awards Best Video Clip "Hold On"[10]

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
J Awards of 2009 Clockwork Australian Album of the Year Nominated

References
  1. The dream factory for teenagers, Carolyn Webb, The Age, 12 March 2002.
  2. DJ Flagrant interview
  3. Phrase To Face It With Halo 3, Planet Urban
  5. Radar Radio Interview
  7. Peak chart positions for releases in Australia:
  8. Phrase at the ARIA Music Awards website
  9. 2007 Urban Music Awards, inthemix.com.au Archived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "2007 UMA Winner List". Archived from the original on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
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