GIG: Band Together - Christchurch October 23, 2010

Well not really a need for a blog - You just need to read the video clip :-)

Looking forward to rocking it with The Babysitters Club and maitreya - YIA!

Yo Canterbury!? We on our way! Click here to be kept up to date on the concert via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

FASHION: TAWHIAO.COM - Debut Accomplished

Well now...not having the opportunity to watch the actual show myself I scouted the internet for photos of homegirls work on the catwalk. 

Completely and unequivocally AOTEAROA - Congratulations TAWHIAO, talk about a well deserved introduction to the international platform of fashion (spirit fingers working here) - enough talk though show them pictures ya'll. You can find full size pictures here.

Also big ups to MiroModa for existing and affording these opportunities to our talented designers that need just a little awhi to break into a very difficult industry. I hope international visitors were paying attention!

If you can't tell by the tiny-as pictures here, Tawhiao utilises the harakeke plant to enhance her outfits.

Now unlike when 'Pacific Fashion' broke out onto the fashion catwalks at competitions like Manukau City's 'Cult Couture' and Westfields Style Pasifika, most garments were cut out 'fala' or 'whariki' (traditional woven mats).

However, Tawhiao has always woven her outfits into shape, not cut out. Meaning a hell of a lot more work and thought goes into making an outfit out of plant!

This collection of works is called 'Te Whiri', which basically means to plait. And in home girls own words the collection is "Samurai, Roman, the Masai, and Maori of course. It's totally military warrior woman meets marching girl."  Love it :-)


Her label website is here, her shop in Avondale Auckland is here.  You can find all sorts of things in there and probably won't leave the shop empty handed! I never do. Congratulations Shona, big hip-hop love at you.

WORK: All Blacks ya'll!

This was part of an online All Blacks campaign that I was proud to be part of... supporting the All Blacks with dope tracks :-)

Not only shots of the boys preparing and training but a sneak peek of my upcoming album (er listen to the soundtrack!).

Follow this link to watch the rest of the mini-documentary. Yia!

SUPPORT: I love Christchurch :: Monday 27th September

I am in Europe at the moment and would love to be at this one - all good though. We are heading down to Christchurch for Band Together in October, keep your eyes locked onto this blog for word on that one.

Heard Metallica went off last night in Christchurch too.  What a dope ass band listening to their fans, ill! And of course the fans organizing a petition to get them there in the first place. Power to the People.

Anyway, drifting off the subject of supporting this event if you can - it will be a good night! its not in Christchurch, its in Manukau, The Polynesian Capital of the World! Yia!

FASHION: TAWHIAO.COM

Hand-woven Tawhiao collection features at NZFW
Click the link above to read about a very dope talented sister making her debut at fashion week this week!
She has been dressing me for the last 20 years and about time the world caught on. Her name Shona Tawhiao - her label Tawhiao.
She also has a store in Avondale called Haka.
Watch out world cos here she comes! Yia!

GIG: Vibe Bar London Saturday 25th September

Hitting London town the day after Bitterzoet in Amsterdam at the Vibe Bar.

Ex-pats and newbies to South Pacific Hip-Hop roll on in to have a good time, listen to good beats (while dancing or swaying depending on the amount of alcohol in your system!) and be prepared to be yelled at to have fun! LOL.

See you all there!
Kaps.

OLD SCHOOL: Breakdance - Irene Cara: 1983

Most of you overseas cats would never have seen the NZ version of the Irene Cara video - Breakdancing.

Features a lot of old school heads in here - including the brother Joe Moana from The Patea Maori Club video, Poi E.

 Video footage looks like the same competition that was featured on an old 80's music programme called Shazam! Thanks to the person who was forward thinking enough to cut something like this up for us back in the 80's and also to Simon for sharing on crack-book with the subject line of wtf is a megazoid. Nice Saturday afternoon viewing.

TOHUNGA TÄ MOKO ARTIST: Mark Kopua IN WELLINGTON SEPTEMBER 28TH – OCTOBER 1ST

[word from Mark Kopua, thanks Taryn]

Internationally renowned tä moko artist Mark Köpua will be available for ta moko bookings in Wellington, 28th September – 1st October.

His hourly rate is $200 per hour, and a small job such as a forearm can usually be done within approximately 1 hour. There is also a $50 booking fee per person to be paid in advance to confirm all bookings.

For all bookings and/or enquiries, please email Taryn on mokoake@gmail.com.

Matua Mark completed the work on my shoulder and upper part of my arm that I am pointing at [even though my arm looks distorted, it is actually that big LOL]. I recommend the brother if you are keen to get some work done, you will not be disappointed especially those of you that want a piece of Aotearoa connected to your physical being [little too deep for Wednesday morning?]. Sweet.

SUPPORT: Little Lotus Project

Good morning People!
Just dropping word on a project from local artists here in Aotearoa (NZ).

In November 2010, Little Lotus returns to the same two Children on the Edge supported schools The Good Karma Project visited on the Thai/Burma border, TMK School and Sky Blue School.

This time, Little Lotus takes four New Zealand artists along for the ride. Tanja Jade (aka Misery), Peap Tarr, Alex Chalmers and Pat Shepherd will work alongside the children, running toy-making workshops, collaborating with the children to paint a school mural, and helping the children to create their own masquerade ball with local music and costume design workshops.

Upon returning to New Zealand, Little Lotus brings Tanja together with fellow collaborator, MC Tourettes to write and illustrate a Little Lotus picture book, documenting the journey and inspired by the children. All proceeds raised from the sale of the book, art and photography will go directly to the refugee children. Photography taken during the project will be uploaded in real time and can be ordered online.

Along the way, their blog will feature regular photo uploads, journey updates, video diaries, the highs, the lows, the stories and mishaps, and most importantly, the hopes of the forgotten children of Burma.

They need your help to make this project even more incredible:

1. Donate: "The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation. Every little bit, no matter how small (or big) pushes the project further.
2. Follow the project: They aim to educate and entertain with our daily video diaries, so please subscribe for updates on the homepage to be kept in the loop.
3. Share: Please forward this email on to anyone you think might be interested in the project. Knowledge is power people.

www.littlelotusproject.org

Please head to their website, where you will find a big button saying "Click To Donate", it does exactly what it says and will take you to their donation page where you can donate by credit card. Bank details are pasted at the end of this message for those who aren't fans of the plastic and would prefer to do a direct transfer.

Remember, your donations go a long way out there, donating $30 to the kids will feed over 100 children a nutritious lunch to get them through the day.

Details for bank transfer (please put LOTUS in the reference)
Children on the Edge
National Bank
06 0507 0099900 01

This has been your daily hip-hop public announcement for today, thank you for your attention.

GIG: Island Vibe, Queensland

Yes - me and my band are heading over to Australia a couple of times this year - the next trip is for the Island Vibe Festival on North Stradbroke Island in Queensland.

Respect to the traditional custodians of the Quandamooka region (Moreton Bay area), the Nunukal, Nughie and Goenpul people of Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) and Moorgumpin (Moreton Island) for this opportunity and to the committee of Island Vibe - we are looking forward to enjoying those island vibes, niceness.

I will be playing a couple of times too, dropping a deejay set on one night and emceeing with The Nomad during the weekend as well as playing with my four piece band.

We are gonna catch as many performers as possible, always good for the creative soul I reckon, banging heads with like-minded people. Have a good week people!

SILVER SCROLLS: Congratulations and respect!

Just a quick note to say CONGRATULATIONS to all the finalists and winners from this weeks celebration of New Zealand songwriters at the APRA Silver Scrolls.

 Also big ups to the performers on the night. We were welcomed with a performance of OMC's How Bizarre from musicians featuring Aaradhna, Ermehn, Malcolm Lakatani, Miguel Fuentes just to name a few... trying to hold back the tears from such a powerful performance of a pop classic song arranged by the talented Mathew Faiumu Salapu not forgetting to mention the choir - it was DOPE! You should keep an ear out for this brother whom also goes by the name ANONYMOUZ. Another highlight of the performances was The Exiles featuring Maisey Rika... it was a bloody good night. Thanks to this years musical director Karl Stevens.

Of course my boy, maitreya taking out the Maioha Award for his maori version of Sin City which has been free for download since Maori Language Week - too much Jamie!

You can check the brothers website to link to his FREE download of waiata maori - keep an eye on this boy - he is committed and dedicated and ILL. If that doesn't impress you THEN take note that he was the first and only rap artist (until Public Enemy did very recently) to manage to raise money ($50,000USD) through fan support (sellaband) to produce his LP. Yeah...like I said, keep an eye out for maitreya! Teremoana.

LIVE: Deejay Session - Ned Roy, King Kapisi, Che Fu

Also from Lensflare - making history Ned Roy (NZ's 1st DMC Champ), King Kapisi and Che Fu - a deejay team battle just for the hip-hop heads! Enjoy!

LIVE: Freestyle style session - Angry Woebot vs King Kapisi

Thanks to Lensflare - a freestyle session from the talented Angry Woebot at the first NZ Hip-Hop Lives Here exhibition. The brother is an outstanding artist doing his thing worldwide. So we are honoured to have had him step up on the mic on the night. Respect!

GIG: King Kapisi in your area! Friday 24th September 2010

Yes, yes...not too long now and I will be playing at Bitterzoet in Amsterdam.

The date: Friday 24th September  - all Kiwi ex-Pats and new South Pacific hip-hop heads come along and support - I guarantee a good night as long as you turn up having taken your happy pill, all positive vibes welcome!

Catch you in the Northern Hemisphere very soon! Kaps.