There are multiple artists with the name 360.
1) An Australian MC
2)… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists with the name 360.
1) An Australian MC
2) A ska band from Birmingham, England
3) A collaboration of Nuno dos Santos and Patrice Bäumel

1) When, in January this year, Acclaim magazine asked Australian hip-hop icon and ARIA nominee Phrase who his top five local emcees were, the usual names dropped from his mouth: Obese head honcho Pegz, Triple J favourite Urthboy… no great surprises. However, there was one name on the list without a release to his name, with no radio play, just an undeniable street buzz and a raw talent that has everyone from industry players to fans anxiously awaiting his next appearance behind a microphone. That name is 360.

The 21-year-old Melbourne emcee known as 360 (pronounced ‘three sixty’) has been a mainstay of Australia’s burgeoning hip-hop underground since 2004 when, as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, he debuted on the Terntable Jediz’ All Out War compilation alongside international heavyweights Celph Titled, John Doe and local icon Bias B.

Now – after years spent honing his craft in the studio (through collaborations with artists as diverse as California’s Okwerdz, Universal signee Ken Hell and electro-rap upstarts Alexx The Kidd) and on the live scene (alongside everyone from emo-hoppers Atmosphere to 90s icon Vanilla Ice) – 360 has re-emerged with his stunning debut solo album What You See Is What You Get. The album is earmarked for an early 2008 release through Soulmate Records.

From the first listen, it’s clear the time spent in development was worthwhile: What You See… marks the arrival of a bold new direction for Australian hip-hop, melding wicked wordplay, soulful harmonies, funky loops, live instrumentation and comedic brilliance into a truly potent rap concoction. At the helm, of course, is 360, whose instantly recognisable voice, youthful energy, poetic insight and playful lyricism command the full attention of the listener from first to last track.

“What I’m giving you/experience I’m living through/inspired by my own life and sh*t I listen to…”

Showing off the diversity of 360’s sound, the album’s two intended radio singles run the gamut between party hysterics and soulful honesty without missing a beat. ‘How Good?’ rides an addictive seventies funk loop and takes us on a tour of Melbourne’s notorious nightlife, deconstructing the city’s social sub-cultures with biting wit and absurdity. ‘Take Me For Granted’, meanwhile, is a plaintive acoustic ballad, with 360 lamenting lost love over a sparse guitar arrangement.

And let’s not forget the infamous ‘Mamma Mia’, a hilarious stalker’s anthem aimed fairly and squarely at Australia’s most famous tennis wife. The accompanying video garnered headlines in the Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Age, mX and received 8,000+ plays in its first week online!

Unlike so many modern hip-hop discs, guests on the album are kept to a minimum, allowing 360 to command the spotlight. The guests that do appear – including TZU bandleader Joelistics, Melodics frontman Jeremedy, soulful singer Oso and Australia’s most promising hip-hop newcomer Pez – function as an organic extension of the music, not a cheap grab at fame-by-assocation, and lend added spice to an already tasty dish.

Behind the boards, a variety of accomplished beatmakers – from hip-hop wunderkind M-Phazes to multi-instrumentalist Pataphysics to the aforementioned Joelistics – provide the perfect melodic canvas for 360’s colourful lyrical brushstrokes. TZU’s Count Bounce (one of the production masterminds behind Urthboy’s The Signal) lends extra flair on mixing and arrangement duties, while scratches come courtesy of 2007 Victorian DMC champion DJ A-Style.

As 360 himself says, “I know you’re excited but try and breathe and settle/check all these tracks and get to know me on a deeper level…”. So what are you waiting for?

2) 360 is made up of 8 musicians who have been together for quite a while, but have now been settled into their present incarnation for the last 2 years. They are a “live” band, bringing excitement to the stage and transmitting that to the audience, who never fail to pick it up and run with it for all they are worth. All their material is original – most of which is written by their guitar-playing singer Ross Lydon. First hearing is noted for the influence of reggae and ska to their music, but upon listening further, you quickly begin to realise that there is more. More melody, more catches and more rock.

Regulars on the live Midlands circuit, 360 have graced the stages of numerous festivals, including Glastobury 2008, Beach Break Live 2007 and 2008, Shambala, Big Green Gathering, The Vale and Eastern Haze. This year we have played Glastonbury and Beach Break Live again, and headlined at The Vale for a second time, and will be playing at Secret Garden Party, Bloom Festival and Field View festival. Our aim to break-out of only playing the Midland scene is coming to fruition, with gigs in London at the Half Moon, The Dublin Castle and The Hope and Anchor. Recent recording sessions with esteemed Midlands-based producers Gavin Monaghan (Editors, Kings of Leon, The Twang) and Bob Lamb (UB40, Ocean Colour Scene) have unlocked the undoubted potential within the band, giving the boys a platform on which to build, as they take the next steps on their musical journey… The results of the session with Gavin are available for you to hear on this site.

3) 360 is a collaboration between the two dj's Nuno dos Santos and Patrice Bäumel, they have their own club night in Theater de Kikker in Utrecht and Club Trouw in Amsterdam.

The Take Off
360 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yo, hey yo it's me myself and I
Yeah I'm back again
I played the background watching what's been happening
I never thought when I was fucking up in school that this shit would even work
If it doesn't I'll be cool
Even if for now I only manage to scrape by
As long as I'm living off of rap it's a great life
So I'm gonna take my ways I create this

And take time cock back and aim at a great height
This is it though, I'd better step forward then
It's a chance to be forever airborne
But I'm never happy with the second best score
While I'm chasing after a dream I never slept for
Just to get my rap on
Talking about whatever I have done
Find believe even when I have none
So fuck it, I'm about to have fun
And not think about this life, 'cause we only have one

I'm sorry that I'm so late, yo I slept in
You can't blame me, I was having the best dream
I was watching my life up on the big screen
Had the president on pause, flicking to the next scene
It had me and everybody coming together
Sky high while we're running the heaven
Let me take you to a place where it's summer forever
So there'll be no chance in hell of feeling under the weather
But look, I know that I can be whatever I believe
I keep my feet grounded and bring the sky to me
Most people have grown egos
But it's so see through, I'll show that there's no need too
Even go that route
I did it before, but see I know that now
But see I know it's hard, but I laugh in the face of death
While living life on the edge without a safety net
Lets go

I heard the sky is falling down, but that's me flying up again
The sky is falling, falling,
I see the sky is falling down, though they got me going up again
The sky is falling, falling,
I'm falling again

See I know it's a fight to the top
And any other day, yo you're likely to flop
Some lies will arise in your eyes and entice you to stop
But the sky is the prize that I want
And now to show my style and to boast my skills
And I don't know how but I know I will
'Cause I have to be the best
It's win win for me 'cause rap relieves the stress
The industry now is in a big crisis
It's innocently down(loading?) by these kid pirates
And if your listen out and think this shit fire,
Stop being ignorant now, you think it's sick, buy it
Uh, I understand if you don't buy it
Supporters need the supporters who go find it
But for now I'm gonna go flying
I'm so high that you won't find me so don't try it

I heard the sky is falling down, but that's me flying up again
The sky is falling, falling,
I see the sky is falling down, though they got me going up again
The sky is falling, falling,
I'm falling again, ah ha,
'Cause even when I'm falling I'm flying
The sky is falling, falling,
'Cause even when I'm falling I'm flying
I know your trying to call me down, down,
The sky is falling, falling,
Before the sky will reach the ground

I heard the sky is falling down, but that's me flying up again
The sky is falling, falling,
I see the sky is falling down, though they got me going up again
The sky is falling, falling,
I'm falling again

The sky is falling

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 360's song "The Take Off" tell the story of the artist's journey from being a misbehaving student who never thought he would succeed to an accomplished rapper who aims for greatness. He acknowledges that he may only be scraping by for now but is proud to be living off of his passion for rap. He talks about chasing after his dreams while recognizing the struggle that comes with it, but he's not deterred. He's determined to be the best and relieve stress through his music. The chorus, "I heard the sky is falling down, but that's me flying up again," represents the artist's resilience and refusal to give up no matter what obstacles he may face.

The lyrics also touch on the state of the music industry, which is in crisis due to piracy. The artist encourages listeners to support their favorite artists by buying their music instead of downloading it illegally.

One interesting fact about "The Take Off" is that it was inspired by the artist's own life experiences. 360 dropped out of school at the age of 16, struggled with drug addiction, and was briefly homeless before he became successful in the music industry. Another interesting fact is that the song received significant airplay on Australian radio stations and was a chart-topping hit in 2011. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and became one of the most downloaded songs of that year.

The chords for "The Take Off" are not readily available online.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo, hey yo it's me myself and I
Introducing himself, acknowledging that he's alone on his journey.

Yeah I'm back again
Returning to the music scene.

I played the background watching what's been happening
Observing the industry before jumping back into it.

I never thought when I was fucking up in school that this shit would even work
He never imagined rapping would be a successful career path after struggling in school.

If it doesn't I'll be cool
He won't be too affected by failure.

Even if for now I only manage to scrape by
He's comfortable with a minimal amount of success for now.

As long as I'm living off of rap it's a great life
Rap is his passion and he's content as long as he can sustain himself with it.

So I'm gonna take my ways I create this
Referring to his unique style, he will use it to make music.

And take time cock back and aim at a great height
Building momentum and resilience to shoot for the top.

This is it though, I'd better step forward then
It's time for him to take action towards his goals.

It's a chance to be forever airborne
His career has the potential to keep him rising upwards for a long time.

But I'm never happy with the second best score
He's a perfectionist and always strives for excellence.

While I'm chasing after a dream I never slept for
He's been working hard towards his dream without fail.

Just to get my rap on
His passion is rapping.

Talking about whatever I have done
Rapping about his experiences.

Find believe even when I have none
He finds faith even when things look bleak.

So fuck it, I'm about to have fun
He's going to let loose and enjoy the ride.

And not think about this life, 'cause we only have one
Keeping in mind to live in the moment as life is fleeting.

I'm sorry that I'm so late, yo I slept in
Apologizing for being late and admitting to oversleeping.

You can't blame me, I was having the best dream
Defending himself with the excuse of having a great dream.

I was watching my life up on the big screen
Imagining his life being a movie shown on a big screen.

Had the president on pause, flicking to the next scene
Continuing to describe this dream sequence of him having control over the events in his life.

It had me and everybody coming together
Bringing people together in this dreamlike utopia.

Sky high while we're running the heaven
A sense of happiness and freedom from running in the sky.

Let me take you to a place where it's summer forever
Inviting people into this dream world he's imagined where it's always summer.

So there'll be no chance in hell of feeling under the weather
Guaranteeing that there's no way to feel sad in this utopian dream world.

But look, I know that I can be whatever I believe
Having confidence in himself and his ability to achieve anything he sets his mind to.

I keep my feet grounded and bring the sky to me
Staying grounded while reaching for the stars.

Most people have grown egos
Noticing that many people in the industry have egos.

But it's so see through, I'll show that there's no need too
Seeing through their egos and wanting to show that it's unnecessary.

Even go that route
Referring to rappers who feed into their own egos for success.

I did it before, but see I know that now
Admitting that he may have indulged in ego-feeding in the past but no longer sees the need to do so.

But see I know it's hard, but I laugh in the face of death
Acknowledging that success is hard to come by but facing any obstacles with a lighthearted attitude.

While living life on the edge without a safety net
Taking risks with his career and life in general without a backup plan.

Lets go
Motivating himself to continue on his journey.

I heard the sky is falling down, but that's me flying up again
Playing with the saying that the sky is falling down by stating that it's actually him flying upwards.

I see the sky is falling down, though they got me going up again
Seeing the negativity around him but not letting it bring him down as he continues to rise up.

I'm falling again
Admitting that he may fall again but it won't keep him down.

See I know it's a fight to the top
Acknowledging the challenges on the path to the top of the industry.

And any other day, yo you're likely to flop
Recognizing that failure is always a possibility.

Some lies will arise in your eyes and entice you to stop
Hearing and seeing doubt from others that can make you want to give up.

But the sky is the prize that I want
Focusing on the ultimate goal and staying motivated to achieve it.

And now to show my style and to boast my skills
Using his unique style to showcase his talent.

And I don't know how but I know I will
Having unwavering faith in his ability to make it.

'Cause I have to be the best
Striving for excellence and wanting to be the best.

It's win win for me 'cause rap relieves the stress
Noting that music is therapeutic for him and even if he doesn't make it big, rapping is still fulfilling.

The industry now is in a big crisis
Acknowledging the current struggles in the music industry.

It's innocently down(loading?) by these kid pirates
The struggles are in part due to illegal downloading of music by younger generations.

And if your listen out and think this shit fire,
Encouraging people to listen to the music and appreciate it if they like it.

Stop being ignorant now, you think it's sick, buy it
Encouraging listeners to support the artist by purchasing their music if they enjoy it.

Uh, I understand if you don't buy it
Understanding that people may not be able to afford to buy music and that's okay.

Supporters need the supporters who go find it
Thanking fans who do purchase his music and acknowledging that their support is necessary.

But for now I'm gonna go flying
Continuing to focus on his future success and journey.

I'm so high that you won't find me so don't try it
Referencing his potential success and the difficulty in trying to bring him down.

Before the sky will reach the ground
Ending with a metaphor of the sky (his dreams and goals) not falling or being forgotten.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KAELYN BEHR, MATTHEW COLWELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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