Hmmm... that blog title sounds like it needs 'and a partridge in a pear tree'.
It was a dope night - big ups and thanks to our entire production team, the PS3 peeps dropping Tekken Hybrid and the winner of the tournament on the night. Also thanks to Cosh Bar for hosting this monumental event and to Jameson's for the support... how many rappers you know roll like this?
We are taking a small-ish break over December and January to finish the long awaited Hip-Hop Lives Here Album ready for launch in March 2012. This will be accompanied with the book of artworks and a DVD of all the music videos off the album. This is gonna be a goody.
We have also launched our webstore finally - same address - www.plantationstore.co.nzwith Overdue Magazine being released quarterly to coincide with the release of each season's designs. We are working towards the range for women, children, toddlers and babies in early 2012.
You can also purchase music on CD from Tha Feelstyle, my album, Dominant Species and a samoan folk album by my sister, Natasha. Yes you read right.
Shall we look at pictures from the launch night ay? WORD.
The audience impressed with our comedy routine...hahaha.
Our band, Te Whainoa Te Wiata, Pos Mavaega, Phil Crown, Dee Letoa and Mark Baynes.
Getting down to the finals!
Crowd amongst the tournament.
Tanya from Pacific Underground, a brother from Ayebro & Shirl'e Sagala.
Our comedy routine on stage!
Which player shall I chose?
My man Tyree giving it Tekken a good go, in deep concentration.
Cosh was so packed people were watching the music videos from outside the bar!
Just like this wordy poster says - come and celebrate with us! We have both been mad busy all year, and this could possibly be our last band gig for the year as we all work our own solo projects too.
Event King Kapisi Release Party
Event Date Thursday 24th November 2011
VenueCosh Bar, 153 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
Doors Open8pm (arrive at 7pm to register for the PS3 Tekken Hybrid Battles)
Band10pm
EntryFree
You are cordially invited to join King Kapisi and his seven piece band The Overstayers celebrate the release of two music videos and brand new magazine Overdue created by his clothing label, Overstayer.
Supporting this momentous event, RedBull will be entertaining people with the Hummer Soundsystem on the street pre-performance and Playstation 3 will be running Tekken Hybrid Battles with the winner taking home a PS3 Console.
While in the Cook Islands earlier this year, Kapisi shot two music videos. Eco-conscious Hip-Hop reggae track Salvation was released in February. The second clip shot on the beautiful island of Rarotonga was Clap Your Hands featuring the infectious warmth of the locals and visitors to the island as well as Miss South Pacific 2010-11, Joyana Meyer.
The second video clip to be released on the night is the anthemic Won’t Stop, Can’t Stop’ featuring Teremoana Rapley with the beat produced by the Beat collective known as B.A.S (Better Ask Somebody) consisting of the talents of David Atai (Nesian Mystik beatmaker), Tenei Kesha (beatmaker for Scribe’s last album) and Mase Mihinnick (MTC beatmaker). Rapley’s vocals have featured on a number on Kapisi’s tracks over the rappers career, however this is the first time she has appeared on a music video with Kapisi in over 12 years.
Also being launched on the night is Overdue Magazine.Initially the idea was to create a look book for Overstayer Clothing.However, the end product of hundreds of hours of labour is a magazine featuring creative heads from around the world that either Kapisi, Rapley or one of the writers who are also their friends are familiar with or related to.Not your usual magazine, content reigns over advertisers.
This will be the fourth time King Kapisi and The Overstayers have played together in New Zealand since making the trek to the UK earlier this year to play at one of the country’s largest outdoor events, The Glastonbury Festival.
The Overstayers is made up of standalone artists. Covering drums and vocals is Dee Letoa (Cydel), guitar and vocals Te Whainoa Te Wiata (Cornerstone Roots), on the keys is Mark Baynes (Ironic Trio) and Phil Crown (Ardijah), Pos Mavaega (ex-Christchurch based Pacific Underground Arts Company) and Teremoana Rapley on turntables and vocals.
All of this goodness is happening at The Cosh Bar on Thursday night from 8pm onwards with the band hitting the stage at 10pm. Do come on down and celebrate with us, we would love to see you there!
It takes major commitment to update a blog supported by seven followers, here we go :-)
So to say the least - we have been busy but if you haven't yet liked either of our facebook fan pages you wouldn't know that!
So to kick it off - we have been and come back from Glastonbury which was awesome - shot lots of footage on the road. Spent some time with family in LA on the way home and stopped in one of my home country's, the Cook Islands on the way back to Auckland, NZ. It was all good, missed our children like crazy though!
On arrival back into NZ, we went straight into shooting a music video with the talented Dan Gordon and his boy Adam from Australia - thanks to all the peeps who came over home to help with the shoot.
Since then, we have been organising Overstayer Clothing, King Kapisi's clothing label created for the bigger Polynesian body with sizes from 0-3 months to 6XL. We are launching in November with the release of our magazine called Overdue. This will coincide with the release of two music videos - one shot in Rarotonga called Clap your Hands and the other in our driveway called Can't Stop, Won't Stop. We will have updates on Facebook and Twitter - so keep yourselves in check.
The 26th, 29th and 30th of October will see Rakaa Iriscience with DJ Rhettmatic touring Australia for a minute so keep an ear out for that PLUS the Auckland gig* which we are organising ourselves and would appreciate presold ticket sales (aight?) to support a dope as night of good music on Saturday 5th November at the Bacco Room, 53 Nelson Street. Also on the bill is Hedlok (King Kapisi and Che-Fu), Tassho Pearce (signed to Kanye Wests G.O.O.D Music label), Scalper, Super Villains, DJ Ned Roy, DJ Ryuzo, graf writer Montsta and an open b-boy floor. This is a night to celebrate Hip-Hop. Note those dates and tell your Hip-Hop inclined friends - what you waiting for? WORD
Yes yes, after many moons it would seem - I, Teremoana am releasing a track for the world to listen to. No fancy marketing machines force feeding the track onto the ears of unwilling participants, just on to it people who have been interested in what I do downloading and listening to it for free.
This song is dedicated to my eldest son as he turned 18 on the 26th July 2011. To you older supporters who have my first solo single will know - 'Beautiful People', that track was dedicated to him as well.
Just so people don't get what I sing all twisted the lyrics to this track are below. PEACE.
chorus
I guess I’m just [Old school, old school]
Cos’ that’s where I’m from [Old school, old school]
Just give me some, yeah [Old school, old school]
No need to fuss/front [Old school, old school]
Mass communicating
Counting hits online
Virtual reality
got peeps asleep
stopping minds getting deep
dropping freedom speak
Complacency attacking those that are weak
Spirits die on that downward high
Everybody needs to sleep
Everybody needs to dream
[With Old school come old school rules]
I’m too old for new school fools
[With Old school come old school rules]
Just waiting on my babies to take you back to school
Repeat chorus
I know I gotta get to know me
So I can fly without the strings
Astral travelling through galaxies
Accepting that I am unique (the one)
Repeat chorus
[If you knew yourself]
What they say doesn’t matter
[Respect yourself]
Your will to keep it together
[And love yourself]
Aunt won’t have to pull out the jandal and shout
You can do better
All you need [Love]
More precious then diamonds and pearls [Love]
Or to own all the riches of the world [Love]
L.O.V.E love
Sing with me, You can do better
All we need.... love.
Our first night out at SXSW after a long ass day of self promoting, speaker sessions and networking. One thing you have to know about SXSW is that though there are over 1900 bands playing over four days. Yes, 1900 bands over four days. Quite an incredible organisation feat but even more crazy trying to get into your favourite artists venue. The door man knew us by the second night we went to this venue - friendly people Austin people - that's about all I have to say about that. Of course in one of the 4-5 hip-hop venues throughout the city, we bumped into the brothers Bliss n Eso and their visual content dude a Ridout from Taranaki.
Battle Circus, Kiwi band based in NYC, Austin Convention Centre Showcase
We were also invited to be part of Speed Showcases organised by Sounds Australia and NZ Music Commission - this gave us the opportunity to meet two kiwi bands - Battle Circus and Streetchant - very dope to have met and watched them perform.
Greg Schick, World Hip-Hop Market, Austin, TX
On the day of our International Hip-Hop Showcase, we met a hip-hop head like us - his name Greg Schick - he is part of the Nomadic Wax crew and the World Hip-Hop Market - only the conscious need to check those links - this brother is down.
Street Chant and Kaps, Austin Convention Centre, Texas
Hanging with various new people and family throughout the week was how we spent our time off. Watched some epic gigs for us - EPMD was one of them. Also caught TechN9ne, Killer Mike, Evidence, Babu, Rakaa, DJ Premier, Slaughterhouse, Wu Tang and Lo Down Loretta Brown just to name a few.
SXSW is an incredible experience - I suggest you go check it out yourself cos its very hard to explain our time there without stating how overwhelming the whole ordeal is but exhilarating and full of possibilities - if you ready to work - SXSW is for you. WORD.
We have just returned back from the States after playing at SXSW in Austin Texas - I would have updated as we went but the Blogger and Hotel ISP were having issues... so now you are going to get the run down all in one big ass blog one after the other!
Having caught up with Chaz Bojorquez and Christina Ochoa on our last Saturday night in Los Angeles - Chaz so kindly gave us a preview of his works for ART IN THE STREETS at MOCA in Downtown Los Angeles. You will have to wait until April 17th - but it is ILL!!! If you in LA you should be there - it was a beautiful experience witnessing the work behind the works - seen? It was an honour to meet so many talented people in such a small amount of time - all in one place!
On the same night was the closing and signing of the RIPE exhibition at Crewest in Winston Street, Downtown LA - free tacos, good PLATA wine and good conversation.
Hence where I met this brother pictured with Kaps below - sporting one of the tees from the first Hip-Hop Lives Here exhibition. Then realised that the brother was the actual brother of our good friend Christina! Waddup Mychal, Dominick and Susan?!?
Kaps and Mychal @ Crewest, Downtown LA
Also had the opportunity to catch up with Angry Woebot and meet a brother for the first time Sket-One from Connecticut - whaddup uce?
Kaps and Angry Woebot @ Crewest Gallery, Downtown LA
Overall that one night was DOPE, plus the only reason why we stay in a hotel downtown is for MOCA and the Public Library across the road from the hotel [looking for Pacific Island Journals and Books]...plus there is the Staple Centre but that will be in the next update ya'll! Mad hip-hop love going out to our family and new friends in LA :: WORD :: Mouse.
D Leota, Dr Richard Nunns (Uncle) and Kaps recording various purerehua for my track.
Hey Peoples -
As many of you know or more likely don't know - Ihimaera was the first project that I have bothered with in maybe over 10 years - it was dope and truly inspirational to be part of - big ups to Charlotte Yates!
The next project is one based on the waiata (songs) of HIrini Melbourne. Kaps produced both beats for both projects - cos he can! Everybody needs a little bit of hip hop in there daily lives right?
I have to admit its nice singing lead for a change cos its been a long time ya'll! Keep an ear out for the project - its gonna be a goody. PEACE.
Had a great time at Pasifika this year with the fams - no performance or selling tees but caught some ill acts. Missed this brothers performance at Pasifika [my bad]... but he is DOPE. Radical Son pictured here with his wife. Watch out for the brother!
Big ups and thanks to Charlotte Yates for the invitation to be part of the IHIMAERA project. What a range of artists and talent ya'll - big hip-hop love to you all! This is me and Matua Richard whom performed with Nga Tae and Ariana for IHIMAERA AND plays Putorino Rakau Matai (sorry folks no ENGLISH translation there!) on my latest track 'Salvation'. WORD
WORD FROM MAITREYA (WAITAHA NATIVE) :: I am releasing the CHUR TO THE CHUR RELIEF EP to raise funds for my home Christchurch City, where on February 22nd, a 6.3 earthquake cause widespread devastation and loss of life. Click here to purchase the EP and all funds will go to The Red Cross Earthquake Relief Fund. Thank you for your support!
Love and Light, Maitreya. WORD
To all the artists, crew, bar staff and punters who turned up to the Red Cross Quake Relief Gig at Sale St last night in Auckland - thank you! Over $40,000 was raised with a massive group effort and while we are still on the roll of raising up our peoples there is a gig happening at Avondale College Tuesday night from 7pm but ya gotta get in quick to get your tickets as they are limited to 670 - tickets on sale from 5pm onwards, minimum $10 per ticket. WORD.
I have heard reggae music sung in many languages hailing from the Pacific - but this is my first introduction to reggae music sung in the Tokelau language. Based in Otepoti (Dunedin) Koile bring their unique sound to the world with their first EP Te Hua. Copies can be bought by emailing this address here. Price is $20.
Yes yes long absence from the updates and so much to write but not enough time! We will be back soon with the consistency - right now - WORD about a gig this month in my old stomping ground... Dropping tunes for those partaking in the AMI Round the Bays on Sunday 20th February in Kilbirnie Park in Wellington.
