Ozi Batla is one of Australia's best known MCs, fronting both The Herd and Astronomy Class. He is best known for penning anthemic tunes such as '77%', 'Starship Troopers' and 'A Bright Tomorrow', sharing credits on 'We Can't Hear You', 'Only 19' and the early Oz hip hop breakthrough 'Scallops' in 2003.

Renowned for his often politically charged lyrics, he also been involved outside music, through direct activism, fundraising and conducting hip hop workshops for disadvantaged youths in the outback and inner cities. Far from a one-dimensional MC, his vocal range is as evident live as on record. He is comfortable working in a variety of styles, from straight hip hop in his work with Chasm, melodic with The Herd, on a reggae tip with Astronomy Class, or, occasionally still, in a drum n bass style.

In 1996, Ozi Batla teamed up DJ ALF, and hosted the Joined at the Bass nights at the Cricketer's Arms in Surry Hills. From there, he and ALF went on form the band Trace Element with current Herd bassist Rok Poshtya. They played a multitude of gigs, including the unforgettable Reclaim the Streets parties of the late 90s. In 2000, Ozi and ALF were part of the DnB weekly Sonic Fiction, which lasted 36 consecutive weeks. Frigid, the legendary sunday-nighter, was also host to many of Batla's shows.

In 2001, The Herd began to evolve out of the fledgling independent label Elefant Traks, with which Ozi has been recording artist since its inception in 1998. Live shows began to reveal the raw elements of the group's debut release. 2002 saw Ozi earn his 'battler' tag, completing in a swag of MC battles and taking a number of titles, including Verbal Mechanics NSW champ, NSW Stealth Battle champ, semi-finalist in Melbourne's Revolver MC Battle, placing in the Battle for Supremacy invitational and was a grand finalist in the National Stealth Battle.

No stranger to controversy, the songs '77%', 'Burn Down the Parliament' and 'Starship Troopers' have evoked strong responses, and often national debate. It has also led to a number of songs placing in Triple J's Hottest 100 with '77%', 'Unpredictable', 'We Can't Hear You' and the Herd's cover of 'Only 19 (Walk in the Light Green)'.

Ozi has hundreds of shows under his belt, and will be touring nationally with The Herd in 2008. He is currently working on a follow up to the Astronomy Class 2006 debut release, 'Exit Strategy'. He has collaborated widely, most notably with Chasm, but also with Urthboy's live show, live quartet Bass Elefant and DJ ALF.

The list of artists he has supported over the past decade is testament to his skill, longevity and versatility, and includes:

The Pharcyde / Grandmaster Flash / Kool Keith / Prince Paul / Blackalicious / Sly and Robbie / Roni Size / RJD2 / Prefuse 73 / Saul Williams / DJ Zinc / MC Supernatural / Herbert / Braintax / Rodney P / Spearhead / Squarepusher and many, many more.

In that time, Ozi has played dozens of festivals around the country, including:

Rockin' for Rights, SCG / Pyramid Rock Festival / Big Day Out / Splendour in the Grass / Homebake / Parklife / Livid / Woodford Folk Festival / Falls Festival / The Great Escape / Cockatoo Island Festival / Good Vibrations / Vibes on a Summer's Day / Park Jam.