UPCOMING GIG: Che Fu - Melbourne - 3rd December 2010

A chance to catch Sifu Che Fu in Melbourne, then he is playing in Coogee Beach, Sydney on the 4th - Snooze you lose ya'll!

GIG: King Kapisi at Bassline, Rotorua 10th December 2010

 

Come down for a night of skanking - Kapisi on the Mr Majesty tip. See you there!

NEW RELEASE: PACIFIC UNDERGROUND - ISLAND SUMMER CD

:: FROM THE PACIFIC UNDERGROUND CAMP ::

I went down to the launch of the CD earlier this month, I was seriously moved. Its always good to hear our songs in our mother tongue.  Much alofas to Posenai, Tanya and your entire crew.

 

 Pacific Underground’s Island Summer CD (a great Xmas gift) can be purchased for $30.  Email contact details to:   islandsummer@gmail.com
Pay by paypal, cheque, or internet banking.

Gig: Melbourne - 19th November 2010 :: Hi-Fi Bar

AWME is nearly upon us for all those lovers of music. We hit the Hi-Fi Bar on the 19th of November with our Aotearoa contingent [that is] representing Aotearoa Music to a worldwide community - er...something we do every time we step on to the stage! Check the venue website for tickets. Tickets priced at $20 + bf.
Looking forward to catching Electric Wire Hustle, Bella, Maisey and Nga Tae - LIVE - PLUS  DJ Nomad and DJ Ayesha on the decks YIA! see you there!

NEWS: Dam Native Sophomore Album Out Now

If you have a clue about Aotearoa Rap Music, then you should know who Dam Native are!

Below is the WORD from the DAM NATIVE Camp.

The much-anticipated second Dam Native Album is ready to launch and should not be missed. Hip-Hop pioneers responsible for an “Urban Musical Cultural Revolution”

DAM NATIVE Daniel Haimona better known as Hypethenative was born in Wellington and is of Te Arawa, Tainui and Ngati Kahunungu descent.

Hypethenative is the Poetic Mike Master of his Pioneering Album KDRU Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted … in his words “ahead of his time why a lot of you missed it.” Produced by Zane Lowe and released by Tangata Records in 1996. In the same year the album won him two music awards most promising group and most promising male vocalist. And a hit single Behold my cool style, which went on to win best music video in the flying fish awards.

And now accompanied 15 years later by the singing, guitar lead and gifted vocalist Bryson Campbell, Dam Natives new album Aotearoa Nobody does it Better is still ahead of its time but this time don’t miss it. Grant Smithies writes in his book Soundtrack 118 great New Zealand Albums … “he [Dam Native] has never received the wider success that he deserves. Lets hope that he doesn’t stop until he has.”

No he has not stopped it just takes time to follow up such a great first album with an even better one. Record companies saw hip-hop as a passing phase in the 90’s and Dam Native went underground after the first album in disgust. He was signed by Heartmusic in 2003 and slowly created his second album as a response to what he considered “kid hop”. He wanted to make adult music for adults. While some like to put albums out every other day he takes a less is more approach.

Heralded by every MC in New Zealand as the Maker and Leader of NZ Rap history (go on ask them yourselves) Dam Native have put the heart back into Hip Hop music once more to deliver an exceptional Second Album of highly crafted verses. With guest MC Tyna on Sirens in the City and Strong beats by Robert Lundon and Bryson Campbell who keeps the hard beats infectious.

And killer songs like Lick My Patu
We’re just greater/it doesn’t mean that I hate ya/ so don’t even try to defy the laws of nature/ passion/ perseverance/ hardwork is what it took/ and the golden rule/ don’t hang with motherf**kers who get shook.

And Cracked It
I’ve already cracked it/see what I’ve got/ what is perceived of me/it might not seem I have a lot/ but my self-esteem/ it seems/ is no dream/ its boiling hot/ enemies/ don’t exist for me/ we all love that native hip-hop.

To tunes like Whakarongo mai nei and Only You. Even if you don’t like Hip- hop you can’t not love this musical story.

If you want to know about true Maori style then take a leaf from the pages of Dam Natives Lyric sheets and plug it into your ears before pasting it on your bedroom wall.

No flash producers, no overseas recording deals and no big budget and still this one of a kind Hip-hop album will last long after all others are dead.

The Band
The Dam Native band is made up of 6 members and is a patriotic, musical and lyrical testament to Aotearoa. Tom Atkinson on Drums, Joseph Hoani Dylan Keating on bass, Timothy Williams on Keyboards, Bryson Campbell aka BlakMan on lead guitar, MC vocals, Pirimia Falwasser aka Nativesixonetwo MC vocals and Daniel Haimona aka HypetheNative MC Supreme. The band has transformed the hard edge beats into musical magic and is arguably the best Hip-hop band in the world.

You can buy this album here

Check this gig next Saturday ya'll! Experience Dam Native Live!

Peace.

GIG: November 6th - Saturday in Christchurch!

 

Celebrating with our Pacific Underground aiga with their release of 'Island Summer'

at Nga hau e Wha Marae this Saturday then we will be jumping up at the Tru Bar around 10pm supporting the D'Sendantz. Catch you there!

GIG: Melbourne - Noisefest - Friday 19th November (Saturday) 5am

 Yes yes - that's us  - Looking forward to this one. Get your tickets now!

GIG: Island Vibe, Queensland - This Weekend! 29th October 2010

Been looking forward to this one - see you there people!

GIG: 26th October 2010 :: Kenneth Myers Centre, Auckland TONITE! 8pm

This is where we will be tonight - supporting our keyboardist - Mark Baynes - check it!

[WORD FROM MARK BAYNES]

In Song – Ironic Trio Performance, Final MMus Recital - Mark Baynes.

Its finally here!  I started working on this project in March, and after a very prolific composition period the album concept was born! Recorded, mixed and mastered in September I am now proud to announce the release of this 2nd album performed by the Ironic Trio.

In Song combining elements of song, harmonic adventure, intriguing improvisation and modern grooves.  In Song puts heavy emphasis on melody, harmony and structure. 

Tonight's performance will not only feature the trio (Mark Baynes, Aaron Coddel and Jason Orme), but will also include the following guests:

King Kapisi and Teremoana Rapley – Vocals
Trudy Lile – Flute
Stephen Morton-Jones – Alto sax
John Bell – Vibes and Untuned percussion
Andy Smith – Guitar
Oliver Emmitt – Trombone

Performance starts 8pm at the Kenneth Myers Centre, Auckland (Studio One) Free Admission Bookings Not Required. WORD.

THANK YOU: Band Together in Otautahi-Christchurch & Westport

Credit: Richard Loader

 What a mad mad weekend! Big ups and thanks to all the people who helped bring together one of the ill-est gigs we have had the honour to be part of. We had a ball, dope to jump up with my brother C-Fu - reminding us why he is Shifu of that microphone ya'll. And thanks right back at the brother for dropping my tracks for me & jumping up with us and maitreya for Chur to the Chur - BTW you can purchase the tees here - get yourself up to speed with the brother maitreya here. 

Credit: Richard Loader

  Also big ups to the Westport peeps at the National Surf Champs After Party - big hip-hop love going to the one like Nomad, Junglefari and DJ Range. Also to Toni for hooking up a feed for a brother at the end of the night! Thanks to Brazils for the accommodation and I hope Fuata - the ukelele signing was all good for you sis. 

Credit: Richard Loader

We live in a beautiful country - taking Lewis Pass from Christchurch to Westport (and back) dang - would have liked to have driven this leisurely instead of rushing (at the legal speed ya'll - because speed kills!) to catch a flight - but those are the breaks of one who lives and loves hip-hop!

Have a dope short week people - we will be hitting you from Island Vibe this weekend in Australia - or for anyone up for a little music mixed with academia check my next blog update in a minute - Peace!

Photographer Link: Richard Loader (thanks for the pictures bruv, appreciated)

NEWS: BAND TOGETHER APOPO (TOMORROW) YIA!

That's us people - we heading to Otautahi for the historic BAND TOGETHER. Keep updated here. And don't forget - this is ALCOHOL Free, this is a FAMILY event. Peace!

NEWS: PACIFIC UNDERGROUND releases Island Summer CD

 This is from our aiga in Christchurch -  Pacific Underground. They have been holding it down since I can remember. In fact they looked after me the first time I ever went to Christchurch! In fact all the rap that was coming out of Christchurch I heard through Pacific Underground. Recognise!

[PRESS RELEASE FROM P.U]

In time for the coming summer Pacific Underground serves up their new CD Island Summer for release on Saturday 6 November in Christchurch, at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae in Aranui.

Named after the live show, musical director and producer Pos Mavaega has recorded music that combines the flavours of the warm tropics with soul and nostalgia in the superbly crafted original songs and traditional music of Samoa.

Excellent reviews of the live show has praised the music as it “evokes the smells and sounds of Samoa”, being “luscious and melodious”, and also that the Island Summer concept “succeeds magnificantly”.

The moving tribute to his parents who brought with them their traditional music and customs, included a 30 piece guitar orchestra and band.
“Whether you’ve been to the islands or not, the music will take you there.” Says Mavaega.

Island Summer CD captures the frontline musicians with Pos who are: - Tanya Muagututi’a singer/ songwriter, Andrew Sione (Tribalincs) and Hemi Lesatele on second and third guitars; Seta Timo (LA Mitchell’s Nativa Band) on bass guitar and Chris Searle, PU’s resident drummer – all who have grown with the show since its beginning in 2005.

The completion of the project has continued throughout Christchurch’s earthquake.
 
“Finishing the recording has been a challenge all on its own – the last recording sessions have taken place in Christchurch, Dunedin and as far away as Las Vegas.  Andrew who is the ‘wing-man’ was on tour with a band in the US, so had to do it there.  Once we got his parts, the earthquake happened and we were finishing off sessions throughout the aftershocks” says Pos Mavaega

The celebration at the Marae is free to attend, will have a live performance of some of the songs and copies of the CD will be available for purchase on the night.

The long awaited sophomore album of Pacific Underground is also the second for Pos as producer / musician – the first being the ground-breaking CD ‘Landmark’ in 1999, a compilation album that has the very first recordings of Scribe, the Naked Samoan’s and Christchurch Hip Hop pioneers Beats ‘n’ Pieces.

ENDS

Tanya Muagututi'a
Pacific Underground
email: pacific.underground@clear.net.nz

NEW VIDEO: King Kapisi feat. Dr Richard Nunns - Safari

Hey Peeps

This is my latest offering to the universe ya'll -
available from Amplifier, iTunes and the usual outlets.
Enjoy!


Big ups to our Thailand Massive - we cannot wait til the next time we meet. Thank you for reaching out and supporting a brother - we will be back!

RIP Brother Paolo.

ART: Hip-Hop Illness

Received these pics in an email from a brother like no other - artist Owen Dippie - OD.  Been a fan of his work for sometime now, I even have my own portrait done by the brother from a while back.  Dope to see the brother is getting out there -  check him out on his blog or The Source or  Flickr or here.

The brother was also part of our first Hip-Hop Lives Here exhibition held last year for my yet to be - released fourth album of the same name. All good though - the exhibition will be travelling the world with me so you will get to see it at some point or you're asleep! Word.

 

UPCOMING: GIG, GIGS, GIGS!

We are playing at Band Together in Chuchur next Saturday, hope to see most of Otautahi turn out for this one - right????!

Then we head over to Australia to hit the North Stradbroke Island Vibe Festival in Queensland.  Looking forward to this one - should be a goodie!

Well get your happy face on - its Friday and that means its the weekend.