About WVS

WVS is a recording division of Onelove that was developed in 2016 by Frank Cotela. The division was created as an outlet to release, distribute and represent the new wave of Australian Hip Hop and RnB music that was coming out of the country at the time. Initially WVS was being managed by Miracle but in October 2016 there was a change in staff as Mathew Garthwaite came onboard as the A&R and label manager for the division.

There was not much activity in the division in the first 6 months with only 3 records released, but as February 2017 came around the WVS catalog grew at a rapid rate with a release every two weeks on average until the end of 2017. This constant flood of music out of the WVS division helped stamp their authority in the scene as a real voice of the culture and brand to pay attention to.

Aside from releases, WVS wanted to support their growing roster of artists with shows to put them in front of crowds in multiple cities, which is how their BIG SWELL showcase concept started. The first BIG SWELL showcase event was held in Melbourne, April 2017 to a sold out Ding Dong Lounge with a stacked line-up of local artists and the full WVS roster flown in from all around Australia to perform. Each artist had 15min sets to perform their best 3 tracks and it was a huge

success, 500 kids going crazy in a packed venue supporting and discovering new music and loving it, and it was all free! The success of the Melbourne BIG SWELL showcase lead to another event held at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney 3 months later that received over 1200 RSVP, giving the WVS artists a huge platform to exposure themselves and their music to new ears, and once again it was all free.

August 2017 saw Mathew Garthwaite & Ant Celestino from WVS/Onelove curate the APRA AMCOS Hip Hop x Electronic SongHubs. Taking place at Melbourne’s famed Bakehouse, an eclectic mix of both established and under-the-radar artists came together for an intensive five-day songwriting workshop with a focus on hip-hop and electronic music.

With the focus on developing into more than just a record label, WVS opened up the doors to allow all artists Australia wide to apply for for the NEXT GEN 2018 team in October 2017. NEXT GEN 2018 is a nationwide talent search to discover new talent and give them a platform to be heard. The final team of 11 was announced in November 2017 with each member appearing on a compilation release in December and showcase event to be held in Melbourne in January 2018.

WVS current active roster includes

Lil Spacely (Sydney)
Hvncoq (Melbourne)
Sophiegrophy (Melbourne)
Vic August (Darwin)
Figuero Jones (Perth)
iiiConic (Brisbane)

The NEXT GEN 2018 team includes

Devarn (Melbourne)
Elijah Yo (Sydney)
iiiConic (Brisbane)
Jessica Jade (Sydney)
José Halftime (Perth)
Kid Pharaoh (Sydney)
Kirklandd (Canberra)
Lordholani (Geelong)
Mike Wang (Melbourne)
Figuero Jones (Perth)
Vic August (Darwin)

Previous artists released via WVS

Kwasi x HFNR (Melbourne)
Travy P (Brisbane)
I.E. (Sydney)
Siyoni (Melbourne)
Erik Sanders (Brisbane)
Papertoy (Sydney)
Evanda (Perth)
Anfa Rose (Sydney)
Petero Thony (Shepparton)
Tyrøne (Sydney)
Juñor (Melbourne)
Reiis (Melbourne)
Cylo (Melbourne)
Mike Wang (Melbourne)
Poppy Shepherd (Melbourne)
JUVE (Melbourne)
Cult Shøtta (Sydney)
Miles Glyphers (Sydney)
Kwame (Sydney)
Royce Drixhen (Sydney)
Big Skeez (Sydney)