360 (rapper)
360 | |
|---|---|
| Born | Matthew James Colwell July 12, 1986 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Known for | Australian hip hop music, albums including Falling & Flying, Utopia, Vintage Modern |
Matthew James Colwell (born 12 July 1986), professionally known as 360, is a prominent Australian figure in the hip hop scene. His discography includes four studio albums: What You See Is What You Get (2008); Falling & Flying (2011), which climbed to No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and earned platinum certification; Utopia (2014); and Vintage Modern (2017). The second album featured four singles that charted, notably "Boys like You", which reached No. 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified 4× platinum. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2012, he received six nominations and secured the 'Breakthrough Artist – Release' award for Falling & Flying, while the album's producer, Styalz Fuego, won 'Producer of the Year'.
Early life
Born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 12 July 1986, 360 attended Luther College before completing his secondary education at Box Hill Senior Secondary College.
2003–2006: Beginnings
360 made his initial appearance in 2003 on Australian rapper Infallible's EP A Burning Ambition, contributing to "Situation Critical" alongside fellow MCs Hunter and Versa. The following year, he released his solo EP Rarities, containing three tracks featuring his collaborator Pez.
In 2005, he and Pez put out "Nutcase", a track described by 360 as a fun, quickly produced song completed within a day. He also featured on Sydney producers X & Hell's 2006 mixtape Scar-Non III: Kick To The Head with "In Da Chub", a remix of 50 Cent's hit "In da Club".
2007–2012: What You See Is What You Get and Falling & Flying
In February 2007, 360 signed with Soulmate Records and subsequently launched his debut album, What You See Is What You Get, on 22 March 2008. A review by InTheMix praised the album for balancing humorous elements with serious content, resulting in a well-rounded project.
During an interview with Peak Street Magazine, he characterized his music as a fusion of pop, electro, dubstep, and rap. On 14 January 2008, he released the music video for "Mamma Mia", which satirically targeted Bec Hewitt and her husband Lleyton Hewitt; this video was named MySpace Australia's hip hop Video of the Week. The couple’s representatives dismissed it as merely a publicity tactic.
By March 2010, 360 remained signed to Soulmate Records, which had distribution through EMI Records. In December that year, he dropped the single "Just Got Started" featuring Pez; by March 2011, it had peaked at No. 59 on the ARIA Singles Chart and reached No. 21 on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart.
His sophomore album, Falling & Flying, was released on 30 September 2011, attaining No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and holding the top spot on Australian iTunes charts for three weeks. By October 2012, ARIA certified it platinum for shipping over 70,000 copies; by July 2014, it had achieved double platinum status.
The album’s fourth single, "Boys like You" featuring Gossling, came out in November 2011 and peaked at No. 3 on the Australian singles chart in February 2012; it also entered New Zealand’s top 40. ARIA awarded it a 4× platinum certification for shipments totaling 280,000 units. Follow-up singles "Child" (April 2012) and "Run Alone" (August) both reached the ARIA Top 30; "Child" earned platinum certification while "Run Alone" was certified gold.
To promote the album nationally across Australia, the "Flying Tour" was launched with Melbourne-based artist Bam Bam serving as supporting act.
2012–2014: Utopia
In June 2012, 360 revealed on the national youth radio station Triple J that he was in the process of creating his third studio album, characterizing it as "quite a dark album" shaped by personal and familial challenges. He also mentioned that the project involved a varied group of producers.
On 21 November 2013, 360 and Pez officially launched Forthwrite Records, a label intended to release Pez's Don't Look Down, 360's Utopia, along with an upcoming untitled Forthwrite project. This announcement was made through a video and shared on 360’s Facebook account.
During the 2013 Sprung Hip Hop Festival held in Brisbane, 360 debuted the track "On A Planet No One Knows," which tackles issues of racism in Australia and incorporates a vocal excerpt from Joss Whedon discussing gender equality. The song garnered media coverage for its candid social commentary.
In February 2014, 360 joined American rapper Eminem on his Australian tour as a supporting act alongside Kendrick Lamar, marking a significant milestone in his career and representing his first tour performed while sober after overcoming substance abuse.
Prior to the release of Utopia on 13 June 2014, three singles were launched: "Impossible," featuring Daniel Johns of Silverchair who also appeared in the accompanying music video; "On A Planet No One Knows"; and "Sixavelli," directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore. These videos were made available on 360’s YouTube channel.
At the 2014 Splendour In The Grass festival, 360 performed alongside fellow Australian hip hop group Hilltop Hoods. The subsequent "Utopia Tour" across Australia in September included support from American rapper Hopsin, UK artist Lunar C, Pez, and Miracle.
2015–2021: Vintage Modern
In January 2015, the planned Utopia Tour was cancelled due to illness but was later rescheduled under the name "Retopia Tour." On 9 January 2016, 360 posted a widely viewed video titled "I'm Sorry," in which he detailed being hospitalized during the Utopia Tour because of withdrawal symptoms; this video amassed over 13 million views. Following this, on 22 February, he released Please Be Seated 3, a complimentary mixtape featuring the single "My Favourite Downfall."
On 6 June 2017, he unveiled "God Mode," initiating a series of six singles released biweekly under the VI collection. The concluding track, "Tiny Angel," reflects on stillbirth and its emotional toll, inspired by a close friend's experience. This song was included on his fourth studio album, Vintage Modern. Announced on 22 September with the lead single "Yesterday," the album was released on 27 October and also featured singles such as "Way Out" and "Drugs."
2022–present: Out of the Blue
In January 2023, 360 debuted "Made Me Like This," his first single under new management with Lucky Ent and Teamwrk Records. He continued releasing standalone singles including collaborations like "Knowing My Place" with Australian DJ Joel Fletcher.
On 17 January 2025, he introduced "Back to You," serving as the lead single for his fifth studio album Out of the Blue, which was officially released on 11 July.
Collaborations
At the outset of his career, 360 frequently partnered with Pez as part of the duo Forthwrite, contributing to tracks such as "The Club Song" from producer M-Phazes' 2010 album Good Gracious. Additionally, he appeared on Pez's 2008 single "The Festival Song," which achieved a peak position of No.14 on the ARIA singles chart.
In 2010, he established Rapper Tag, an impactful online initiative within Australian hip hop where artists successively added verses over a repeated beat through nominations.
Australian hip hop duo Diafrix featured him on their track "I'm a Dreamer" from their 2012 album Pocket Full of Dreams. Furthermore, he contributed to Canberra-based producer Ghosts in the Room's self-titled debut album released in September 2012 alongside rappers Iron Solomon, Okwerdz, and Kool G Rap.
Media appearances
On 20 October 2014, 360 appeared on an episode of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) program Q&A, sharing the panel with particle physicist Brian Cox, conductor Richard Gill, and mathematician Nalini Joshi. The discussion centered around the theme of "passion." During this appearance, he drew media attention for remarks addressing racism, Australian hip hop culture, and symbolism surrounding the Australian flag:
These statements sparked debate,[1] shifting some media focus onto his collaborator Pez, who initially expressed offense via social media but later retracted that sentiment. As of late October 2014, 360 maintained his stance explaining: "If you are not racist then you have nothing to be offended about."[2]
Personal life
360 has been diagnosed with keratoconus, a progressive eye condition necessitating a corneal transplant in one eye.[3] Despite treatment, his vision remains impaired, affecting night driving and reading road signs.[4]
On his birthday in July 2010 while celebrating with Sydney hip hop group Bliss n Eso, he sustained serious injuries in a go-kart accident including a torn artery and pancreas damage.[5]
In February 2012, he became engaged to Crystal Bale; however, they ended their relationship later that year.[6][7]
By October 2014, he publicly supported 'Oscar's Law,' advocating against factory farming of companion animals,[8] and also took part in PETA's 'Ink not Mink' anti-fur campaign.[9]
Early in 2012, both he and Bale promoted awareness regarding suicide and depression through video messages.[10][11]
In January 2016, he released "I'm Sorry," addressing his struggles with codeine addiction and an overdose that resulted in tour cancellations. His addiction involved misuse of over-the-counter Nurofen Plus tablets.[12][13]
By September 2016, he publicly disclosed being diagnosed with unipolar depression.[14]
As of 2021, he frequently livestreams rap writing sessions and performances while reviving the Australian hip-hop “rapper tag” challenge he initiated. Through these streams, he continues advocating for mental health awareness and healthy lifestyle choices.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS |
NZ | |||
| What You See Is What You Get |
|
— | — | |
| Falling & Flying |
|
4 | — |
|
| Utopia |
|
2 | 27 |
|
| Vintage Modern |
|
3 | — | |
| Out of the Blue |
|
— | — | |
| "—" indicates no chart placement or release in that region. | ||||
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS |
NZ | ||||
| "Just Got Started" (featuring Pez) | 2010 | 59 | — |
|
Falling & Flying |
| "Throw It Away" (featuring Josh Pyke) | 2011 | 79 | — | ||
| "Killer" | 87 | — | |||
| "Boys like You" (featuring Gossling) | 3 | 33 |
| ||
| "Child" | 2012 | 24 | — |
| |
| "Run Alone" | 24 | — |
| ||
| "Impossible" (featuring Daniel Johns) | 2014 | 25 | — | 'Utopia' | |
| "Sixavelli" (featuring Lunar C) | 76 | — | |||
| "Live It Up" (featuring Pez) | 21 | — |
| ||
| "Price of Fame" (featuring Gossling) | 19 | — |
| ||
| "My Favourite Downfall" | 2016 | 70 | — | 'Non-album single' | |
| "Yesterday" (featuring Hein Cooper) | 2017 | 88 | — | 'Vintage Modern' | |
| "Way Out" (featuring Teischa) | 95 | — | 'Vintage Modern' | ||
| "Drugs" | 2018 | — | |||
| "Made Me Like This" (featuring Gosling) | 2023 | — | — | 'TBA' | |
| "Knowing My Place" (with Joel Fletcher) | — | — | 'TBA' | ||
| "The Truman Show" | — | — | 'TBA' | ||
| "Lose It"(featuring Ally Rendall) | — | — | 'TBA' | ||
| "Save My Soul" | 2025 | — | — | 'Out of the Blue' | |
| "Coastline" | — | — | 'Out of the Blue' | ||
| "Been Through Hell" | — | — | 'Out of the Blue' | ||
| "Sodom and Gomorrah" | — | — | 'Out of the Blue' | ||
| "Someone Else's Dime"(with Conrad Sewell) | — | — | 'Out of the Blue' | ||
| Entries marked with “—” indicate no charting or release in that territory. | |||||
Promotional singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "God Mode" | rowspan=6 |2017 | rowspan=6 |Vintage Modern |
| "Devil's Advocate" | ||
| "Just a Thought" | ||
| "Dem Gainz" (featuring Pez) | ||
| "Floorless" (featuring Travy P) | ||
| "Tiny Angel" |
Notes
AIR Awards
The Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) annually honor achievements within Australia's independent music industry.
| 2011 | 360 | Jägermeister Most Hunted Award (fan-voted popularity) | Template:Won |
| AIR Awards of 2012 | 360 | Best Independent Artist | Template:Nom |
| rowspan=2 |Falling & Flying | Best Independent Hip Hop Album | Template:Won | |
| Best Independent Album | Template:Nom | ||
| “Boys Like You” | Best Independent Single | Template:Nom |
APRA Awards
Since its inception in 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association, APRA Awards celebrate songwriters and composers annually.
Template:Awards table ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
ARIA Awards
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2012, six nominations were received by 360; he won Breakthrough Artist - Release for Falling & Flying, while producer Styalz Fuego earned Producer of the Year within Artisan categories.
Template:Awards table |- || rowspan=10 |ARIA Music Awards of 2012 || rowspan=3 |Falling & Flying ||Album of the Year ||Template:Nom |- ||Best Urban Album ||Template:Nom |- ||Breakthrough Artist – Release ||Template:Won |- ||Falling & Flying – 360 ||Best Male Artist ||Template:Nom |- ||Falling & Flying – Styalz Fuego ||Producer of the Year ||Template:Won |- ||Falling & Flying – Scott Horscroft & Phillip Threlfall ||Engineer of the Year ||Template:Nom |- ||Falling & Flying – Debaser ||Best Cover Art ||Template:Nom |- ||"[Boys like You]" (feat. Gossling) ||Song of the Year ||Template:Nom |- ||"[Boys like You]" (feat. Gossling) – Alex Weltlinger ||Best Video ||Template:Nom |- ||The Flying Tour ||Best Australian Live Act ||Template:Nom |- || rowspan=2 |ARIA Music Awards of 2014 || rowspan=2 |Utopia ||Best Urban Album ||Template:Nom |- ||Best Cover Art ||Template:Nom |- ||(ARIA Music Awards of 2018) ||(Vintage Modern) ||(Best Urban Release) ||(nom) |}
EG Awards / Music Victoria Awards
Since 2006, the Music Victoria Awards, previously referred to as the EG Awards, have annually honored achievements within Victoria's music scene.
|- | 2012 | 360 | Best Male | |-
External links
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