Australian hip hop legend Robert Hunter has passed away after being diagnosed with cancer in 2009, weeks before the release of his charity album. The release features new tracks fromHilltop Hoods, Drapht, Chase and more.

After being diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer while on tour in Adelaide November 2009, in February 2010 Hunter received fundraising authority from CanTeen to produce an Australian hip hop compilation. 100 percent of the profits would go to CanTeen to aid other young people battling cancer.

Your Daily SPA believes that the compilation is close to release, and will be out before Christmas. As of September, it was “mastered and ready for production.”

We can reveal the following tracks – new songs that have been donated by the artists – as being confirmed on the 31-track release:

Hilltop Hoods Hand Made (Courtesy of Golden Era)
Drapht, Hunter & Dazastah When We Were Kids
Porsah Laine Roll
Dazastah, Shabaz & Optamus Nothing To Lose
Layla Love Times Pie Recurring
Slackjaw, Skank1 and Rob Shaker 2 Troo Vocalists
Defyre Which Way
Selekt Few Words
G Force Beast
The Master Diagnosis
Reason Why Would I Say I Am (Courtesy of Obese Records)
Chase City Of Grime
Mortar Oh Lord (Courtesy of Clandestein Productions)
Graphic Knowin Where You’re Goin 
Ripsnorta Raw The Show Must Go On (Courtesy of Lukritiv Threadz)
MoneyKat for Get Yours
Andrew Mack & Hunter for My Life
Krisdafari for Hold It Down

Passing away early Thursday at Western Australia’s Murdoch Hospice the rapper was part of the SBX crew and had released 4 albums, His latest efforts being Monster House released March 2010 through Obese, and a collaboration with Mortar, Fear And Loathing was released August this year.

Today mother Trish said in a statement, “I had 36 years with my beautiful son, he was the light of my life and I am so proud of what he achieved in the short time that we had him.”

Fellow SBX member Optamus said of Hunter, who is survived by his four-year-old son Marley, “It’s a sad day for Australian hip hop, a true legend and one of my best friends has passed. He has inspired many and will inspire many more, long live his memory!”

Hunter managed to acquire free distribution through MGM for the release, as well as pro bono services from Media Arts Lawyers, Wondermanagement and Dazastah’s Lair.

In November last year a fundraising event called Heat For Huntz for memorabilia and merchandise donated by Hilltop Hoods, 750 Rebels, Bias B, Brothers Stoney, Def Wish Cast, Delta, DJ Bonez, DJ DCE, Koolism, Lazy Grey, Len One, Muph, Pegz, Plutonic Lab, Reason, Resin Dogs, Stewbakka, Trem and Turntable Jediz.

Of the album Hunter had previously said, ““It seemed like a natural thing for me ‘cos I knew a lot of people making Australian hip hop. Hip hop can be very inspirational and hopefully we can sell enough CDs and iTunes to make money to do something cool for the kids.

“When I was young I never got sick, I partied, I had a great time, these kids are missing out on that and it doesn‟t seem fair so I figured I could raise money and they could have a good time.”

SBX crew member Porsah Laine and collaborator on the charity album said, “I was hoping that Hunter would see the completion of his amazing project, but I‟m happy the pain has gone. He’s set a standard for us all, to even in the face of death, follow your passion and always help others.”

Watch Hunter in a promotional video for the album below