The kid from southwest Sydney
Like many people that have grown up in the South Western suburbs of Sydney, Curtis Noah came from a broken home…
But unlike so many others, he made a conscious decision to break the cycle, using his many talents to show us that anything is possible.
Born to Lianne Tomas and Bruce Allen on June 2, 1986, Curtis’ parents were no longer together when he was born. By the time he was three years old, it became clear that his mother was unable to care for him properly. As a result, he was taken in by his grandparents, who eventually moved with him to England. Curtis describes the environment as “a rough place,” where he experienced traumatic events such as being stabbed and stabbing someone at the age of five, along with being almost kidnapped twice—an alarming risk in Europe at the time, with frequent awareness ads about abductions on TV and radio. Curtis lived in England until the age of eight, before returning to Australia with his grandparents.
After facing difficulties at school and frequently getting into trouble, Curtis was sent to live with his father at the age of 12. Bruce, his father, was involved in various underground bands and operated “Wet Dog Records” in Brunswick, Melbourne, where he composed, produced, and performed music. Living in a warehouse with a 32-channel digital recording studio exposed Curtis to a wide range of musical styles, allowing him to learn music production and performance directly.
At 12, Curtis made his first beat using Sony Acid Pro, a software program designed for creating music. He also attended Sydney Rd Community College in Melbourne, a small, music-based school where he performed as the drummer for the year 7 and 8 bands, playing covers at end-of-term presentations.
After relocating to the Central Coast with his father, just a week after his 15th birthday, Curtis was forced to start a new life. He left home and began house-hopping, uncertain of his future. Despite these struggles, Curtis found inspiration in his experiences, using them to fuel his music. At 18, in 2005, he received his first big break when “Parkside,” a youth group on the Central Coast, heard his growing reputation and asked him to appear on their upcoming fundraising album. Shortly after, Curtis secured his first live gig, supporting the Australian rap super-group The Herd. As Curtis’ reputation grew, he had the chance to collaborate with well-known Aussie artists like Joel Turner, Phrase, Illy, Kerser, Pez, and 360.
n 2006, Curtis founded Notorious Records and threw himself into producing and recording from his home studio. His 2008 mixtape The Re-Birth sparked significant interest, with many artists and fans comparing his vocal style to that of legendary figures like Eazy-E and Madchild. The response motivated Curtis to continue pushing forward, and he recorded nearly 80 songs—many still unreleased.
Reflecting on the release, Curtis said, “I was really happy with the reaction I got off this project. The listeners were really feeling it. That response made me even more excited to dive into the next project.” Following this success, Curtis released Notorious Radio Volume 1, a mixtape featuring his good friend Devonne. He continued his journey into the Australian hip-hop world by entering the 1out street battles in Melbourne, which included the Pineapple Express tournament. He quickly became an instant hit, impressing audiences with his masterful manipulation of the English language. His victories in the Pineapple Express tournament led to an invitation to join the Grind Time Now Aust league, where he continued his success.
During this time, Promisques worked on several other projects, including two guest features on Hyjak’s solo album Straight Jak, and began crafting his own LP, The Southwest District. The album, which featured collaborations with DJ A.$.K, Hyjak, Devonne, and international artists Amun Ra and Menace, was embraced by fans and showcased his ability to connect with diverse audiences.
Promisques’ electrifying live performances soon became the stuff of legend, as he effortlessly sent crowds into a frenzy every time he hit the stage. Despite various record labels approaching him, Curtis has remained staunchly independent. He chose to focus solely on developing his unique, homegrown sound rather than succumbing to a commercialized version of his artistry. This decision set him apart and continues to shape his musical career.
After the profound loss of his mother, Curtis shifted his focus to music production and engineering while working on his magnum opus, Lianne’s Son. This deeply personal and transformative project promises to be his most meaningful work to date, embodying his resilience, love, and growth.
A true jack-of-all-trades in the music industry, Promisques oversees every aspect of his craft—from recording, mixing, and mastering to video editing, graphic design, website creation, and merchandise development. His unparalleled drive, resilience, and authenticity set him apart as one of Australia’s most prolific independent artists, constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of creative expression.
