Phrase (rapper)


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

History

Phrase began to piece together an album with producers Daniel Merriweather and J-Skub, while working part-time for the Reach Youth foundation, an organisation that Phrase credits with helping him overcome behavioural problems he had in his mid-teens. 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. The label's first release was a mixtape by Melbourne MC Illy. 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
In 2009 Phrase released his second album Clockwork, which included the high-rotation Triple J singles "Skylight" and "Clockwork". The album reached No. 26 on the ARIA albums chart 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.' 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. He attended Glen Waverley Secondary College as a teen; his father was an English teacher there. Phrase lives in Melbourne with his wife. He has two sisters – a tattooist and an actress.

Discography

Albums

Guest appearances