Drill has its origins in Chicago at the start of the last decade, before UK drill emerged a couple of years later. However, in the last couple of years, drill has become huge in Australia, with different artists adding their own spin to the genre.

We’ve taken a look at the different rappers putting Australian drill on the map globally, and what makes them so special. If you don’t have these artists in your playlists, you’ll want to be adding them ASAP.

Hooligan Hefs

Hailing from Doonside in Western Sydney, Hooligan Hefs has owned the last 18 months. He’s dropped a heap of singles, as well as his debut EP Living In Sin, and he’s not slowing down any time soon. He’s combining his hard-hitting drill bars with beats to get the party started, and no matter what type of hip-hop you like, you’ll enjoy Hefs’ tracks.

Speaking to GQ about mixing EDM with drill, Hefs says he wants to get people excited. “I thought, ‘Why not talk hard shit on some party shit?’ It’s a win win – some people can listen to the rhymes, or you can be an EDM fan and listen to the drop.”

His latest single, Send It!, illustrates this combination perfectly – he’s flexing while rapping over an absolute banger of a beat. Hefs is already an Australian superstar, and it’s not long before he takes over the world.

HP Boyz

Coming out of Hampton Park in Melbourne, drill trio HP Boyz take influence from UK grime/drill, both in their music and in their visuals. If you watch a HP Boyz video, you’ll be able to see links to UK artists like Harlem Spartans, Headie One and more.

Earlier this year, the group released their debut EP 6 To The World, and it saw them branching out beyond drill to incorporate R&B and more traditional hip-hop sounds. They’re the drill kings of Melbourne, and their new single Loyalty sees their grasp on the crown growing just that little bit tighter.

OneFour

You can’t talk about Australian drill without mentioning OneFour. The group, which originally started in Mount Druitt, has now become synonomous with not just Australian drill, but hip-hop in Australia.

Through run-ins with the law and cancelled shows, OneFour’s reputation has continued to grow. It’s culminated in their debut EP, Against All Odds, which doesn’t just show off their drill chops – they’ve also included R&B tracks on the EP.

Speaking to NME, the group says the EP is a deliberate evolution of their sound. “Everything on the EP was done with purpose. We’re evolving. We’ve gone through things that have changed our music and so we’re not just rapping about the same things as before.”

However, there are still some huge drill tracks on the EP, such as their collab with UK rapper Dutchavelli, Better, so there’s really something for everyone on Against All Odds.

Jaecy

Growing up in Bankstown, Jaecy is a name that you’ll want to know if you’re keeping an eye on rising drill stars in Australia. He’s part of The Area Movement (who have worked with the likes of Hooligan Hefs and Pistol Pete & Enzo), and he’s always had an affinity for UK music.

Jaecy is determined to put the city of Sydney on his back, and give the artists around him a chance to shine. He’s influenced by the likes of J Hus and Skepta, and that UK influence comes through with every track. He’s already dropped some serious heat, and there’s a lot more to come – you’ll want to remember the name.

No Money Enterprise

Straight out of Logan, No Money Enterprise are making Latin-infused drill. If that sounds a bit confusing, it’ll make sense when you listen to their music. They’ve only released a few singles so far, but they’ve already got Australia talking.

Speaking about their goals, the group told triple j that they want to represent their roots. “Not only do we represent Australia, we also want to represent our Polynesian background. We take pride in it, it’s something we carry close to our hearts. We live and breathe where we come from and we want to showcase that.”

Their production often takes some unexpected directions, but that’s part of the charm. Who else in Australia would be including a Spanish intro at the start of a drill track?

Hooks

Bankstown’s Hooks might just have had the hardest verse of the year on Hooligan Hefs’ F.A.M.E, and he’s ridden that momentum throughout the rest of the year. He doesn’t hold back, throwing lyrical punch after punch, and each of them connects.

Earlier this year, Hooks, Youngn Lipz and Hooligan Hefs linked up with UK rapper S1MBA for a remix of his track Rover, and it’s a huge moment for Australian drill, and hip-hop in Australia in general.

His latest single, No Treason, might just be his hardest track yet – and he’s established himself as one of the fiercest rappers in the country. We wouldn’t want to beef with Hooks, because he’ll bring some brutal disses to the table.