3D World
3D World was an Australian street press publication focused on dance music, hip-hop, and related music culture.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
3D World was an Australian street press publication serving the dance music community. It was founded in Sydney in 1989 and developed as a specialist media outlet for electronic music, club culture, DJs, musicians, and audiences interested in the expanding Australian dance scene. As a street press title, its role extended beyond conventional music reporting: it provided a platform for artist coverage, scene news, event information, and recognition of genres that were not always prominent in mainstream media. The publication operated in a market shaped by the growth of dance music, club promotion, DJ culture, and independent music journalism. Its editorial identity was closely associated with dance music and, over time, with hip-hop, which was still often treated as an underground form in the Australian context. The title's audience included performers, promoters, clubgoers, record buyers, and other participants in the country's nightlife and independent music communities. Ownership of 3D World changed several times during its life, although the available reference material does not identify all of the owners or provide a complete corporate chronology. In 2000, 3DWorld Publishing established the Australian Dance Music Awards. The awards recognized achievements in dance music and hip-hop and gave the publication a role in formalizing recognition for artists and contributors within those communities. Publication eventually ended in 2011. In August of that year, Street Press Australia Pty Ltd launched Three Magazine, describing it as having emerged from the remains of 3D World. Three Magazine therefore represented a continuation or successor initiative rather than a simple ongoing issue of the original title. 3D World is consequently best understood as a defunct Australian specialist music-media brand whose historical importance lies in its long-running support for dance culture and its contribution to the development of dedicated recognition for the country's electronic music scene.
History
3D World was established in Sydney in 1989 as an Australian street press publication dedicated to dance music and its surrounding culture. Its emergence reflected the increasing visibility of electronic music, club events, DJ performance, and independent nightlife communities in Australia. The title served a specialized audience that included music fans, performers, promoters, and other participants in the dance scene. The publication's editorial scope was connected primarily to dance music, but it also covered hip-hop and related underground culture. At the time, hip-hop was frequently positioned outside the mainstream Australian music establishment, so a specialist street press outlet could provide a useful channel for coverage, promotion, and community recognition. 3D World consequently functioned not only as a magazine but also as part of the infrastructure of the music scene it covered. Ownership changed hands several times during the publication's history. The available reference material confirms these changes but does not provide a complete list of owners, dates, or management structures. In 2000, 3DWorld Publishing expanded the brand's role by founding the Australian Dance Music Awards. The awards recognized accomplishments by musicians working in dance music and hip-hop, giving institutional visibility to performers and contributors in genres that had often been treated as underground. This initiative was one of the clearest extensions of the brand beyond periodical publishing. 3D World ultimately ceased publication in 2011. In August of that year, Street Press Australia Pty Ltd introduced Three Magazine, which was described as having been born from the remains of 3D World. The successor relationship indicates that the publisher attempted to carry forward elements of the earlier title's audience, expertise, or editorial mission, even though the original 3D World brand did not continue as an active publication. The known history of 3D World is therefore that of a now-defunct Australian specialist music-media brand: founded in Sydney in 1989, repeatedly transferred between owners, extended into awards programming in 2000, and replaced by a related magazine initiative in 2011. Detailed information about its circulation, editors, issue count, commercial performance, and individual ownership periods is not established by the supplied reference material.
- 20113D World ceases publication
The title shuts down following a history in which ownership changed several times.
- 2011Three Magazine launched as a successor
Street Press Australia Pty Ltd launches Three Magazine in August, describing it as emerging from 3D World's remains.
- 2000Australian Dance Music Awards founded
3DWorld Publishing creates the Australian Dance Music Awards to recognize achievements in dance music and hip-hop.
- 1989Publication founded in Sydney
3D World begins as an Australian street press publication serving the dance music community.
Products and positioning
A specialist Australian street press title for dance music and adjacent underground music communities, combining music journalism, scene coverage, event information, and industry recognition.
3D WorldMusic magazine and street press publication1989
The core 3D World product was an Australian street press publication focused on dance music and its surrounding community. Its subject matter also encompassed hip-hop and related underground music culture. As a specialist title, it provided a platform for scene journalism and helped connect artists, audiences, promoters, and other participants in Australia's dance and club-music ecosystem.
Australian Dance Music AwardsMusic awards program2000
Founded by 3DWorld Publishing in 2000, the Australian Dance Music Awards recognized achievements by musicians working in dance music and hip-hop. The awards extended the brand's role from reporting on the scene to helping publicly acknowledge its artists and contributors.
Flagship businesses
- 3D World magazine
- Australian Dance Music Awards
Brand decisions
- 2011Transition to Three MagazineStrategy
3D World ceased publication after a period marked by several ownership changes.
What changed. Street Press Australia Pty Ltd launched Three Magazine in August and positioned it as having emerged from the remains of 3D World.
Aftermath. 3D World became a defunct brand while a related publication carried forward elements of its publishing operation or audience.
- 2000Creation of the Australian Dance Music AwardsOther
Dance music and hip-hop were important but often underrepresented areas of Australian music culture, creating a rationale for a dedicated recognition program.
What changed. 3DWorld Publishing founded the Australian Dance Music Awards to recognize achievements in those genres.
Aftermath. The initiative broadened 3D World's role within the dance music community beyond magazine publishing.
Recent events
- 2011Publication of 3D World ends
After multiple ownership changes during its history, the Australian street press title shuts down.
Other - 2011Three Magazine succeeds 3D World
Street Press Australia Pty Ltd launches Three Magazine in August, presenting it as a publication that emerged from the remains of 3D World.
Product launchOther - 20003DWorld Publishing establishes the Australian Dance Music Awards
The publication's publishing arm creates awards recognizing achievements in dance music and hip-hop, helping give formal visibility to artists and contributors in those scenes.
Other - 19893D World is founded in Sydney
The Australian street press publication begins operating in Sydney as a specialist title for the dance music community.
Other
Sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/3d-world · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled