Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History

‘Swing’s placement in the Knocked Up movie takes Savage all the way into the heartlands of America. David Dallas goes solo and makes the global hip-hop scene take notice. Smashproof drop the most significant single of their career, ‘Brother’. Meanwhile, Ladi6 heads to Europe. Homebrew drops the Last Week EP, PNC enters the chatroom, and Young, Gifted & Broke rises up. This is where our story ends… for now.

Aotearoa Hip-Hop: The Music, The People, The History is an award-winning rova original podcast.

In the wake of the release of ‘Stand Up’, ‘Not Many - The Remix’ and The Crusader, Scribe becomes the shining star of Aotearoa hip-hop. The scene goes on the road with the nationwide Boost Mobile Hookup tour. Dei Hamo drops his anthemic single ‘We Gon Ride’, and Scribe heads to Australia and the UK. These are the glory years.

Aotearoa Hip-Hop: The Music, The People, The History is an award-winning rova original podcast.

Che Fu and Nesian Mystik take Aotearoa hip-hop to the mainstream with their Navigator and Polysaturated albums. P-Money drops Big Things. The Aotearoa Hip-Hop summit heads to Auckland, and Mareko and Scribe record their legendary debut albums, White Sunday and The Crusader.Triumph is close at hand.

Aotearoa Hip-Hop: The Music, The People, The History is an award-winning rova original podcast.

The legendary Deceptikonz come together in South Auckland and link up with a brand new record label, Dawn Raid. Hip-Hop in Aotearoa goes online, heralding the arrival of new crews like Breakin Wreckwordz and the next evolution of the MC battle scene. Ali brings the Aotearoa hip-hop summit to Christchurch, and King Kapisi drops his classic album Savage Thoughts.

Aotearoa Hip-Hop: The Music, The People, The History is an award-winning rova original podcast.

DLT and Che Fu reset the benchmark for Aotearoa hip-hop with ‘Chains’, The True School, and 2b S.Pacific. Otara godfather Phil Fuemana launches his legendary Urban Pasifika Records, bringing Lost Tribe, Dei Hamo and Moizna with him. After an appearance by New York’s Roc Raida (RIP) in Auckland, the national DJ scene levels up. Meanwhile, down in Christchurch, Scribe and Ladi6 are on the microphone, and the whole city is listening.

Aotearoa Hip-Hop: The Music, The People, The History is an award-winning rova original podcast.

It's the mid 90's OMC drop ‘How Bizarre’ and become a global sensation. Rolling Stone writes a full spread on the New Zealand sound. Three the Hard Way connects the dots between reggae and hip hop. DLT & Che Fu work on one of the most iconic songs in NZ Hip Hop history ‘Chains’.

Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History is a rova original podcast. 
 
Hosted by Phillip Bell aka DJ Sir-Vere
Written by Martyn Pepperell
Audio Production by Grant Brodie
Opening intro by Mareko
Produced by Asher Bastion
Executive Producer Richard Culph
 
With help from
Tegan Yorwarth
Rebecca Frank
Laura Spence
Lisa Diedricks
Rorie McGregor 
Alex King
& Nick Brown
 
Special thanks to all guests, interviews and any one who has help fact check, or fill us in on the extensive history & legacies contained in this podcast, you can find out more on our page on Mai FM.co.nz or read our articles on Audio Culture
 
This podcast was made with the support of New Zealand On Air

Phil Fuemana and the Otara Music And Arts Centre give young South Aucklanders a place to grow their talent. The Proud Tour travels the country. The Christchurch scene struggles with racism and white supremacist skinheads. Brother D & Andy Murmane meet and start the Dawn Raid hustle. Sisters Underground Release ‘In The Neighborhood’.

Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History is a rova original podcast. 
 
Hosted by Phillip Bell aka DJ Sir-Vere
Written by Martyn Pepperell
Audio Production by Grant Brodie
Opening intro by Mareko
Produced by Asher Bastion
Executive Producer Richard Culph
 
With help from
Tegan Yorworth
Rebecca Frank
Laura Spence
Lisa Diadricks
Rorie McGregor 
Alex King
& Nick Brown
 
Special thanks to all guests, interviews and any one who has help fact check, or fill us in on the extensive history & legacies contained in this podcast, you can find out more on our page on Mai FM.co.nz or read our articles on Audio Culture
 
This podcast was made with the support of New Zealand On Air

It's the early 90's, DLT quits Upper Hutt Posse and helps form Dam Native, Mai FMhits the airwaves. DJ Sir-Vere & Slave start the World Famous True School Hip Hop Show. Jazz, Electronic & Rap collide at Cause Celebre, Zane Lowe forms Leaders of Style with Rob Salmon and Supergroove mania hits the country.

Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History is a rova original podcast. 
 
Hosted by Phillip Bell aka DJ Sir-Vere
Written by Martyn Pepperell
Audio Production by Grant Brodie
Opening intro by Mareko
Produced by Asher Bastion
Executive Producer Richard Culph
 
With help from
Tegan Yorwarth
Rebecca Frank
Laura Spence
Lisa Diedricks
Rorie McGregor 
Alex King
& Nick Brown
 
Special thanks to all guests, interviews and any one who has help fact check, or fill us in on the extensive history & legacies contained in this podcast, you can find out more on our page on Mai FM.co.nz or read our articles on Audio Culture
 
This podcast was made with the support of New Zealand On Air

The Aotearoa hip hop scene explodes,Sani Sagala aka Dei Hamo gets his start at a Manukau rap battle alongside Slave & Otis. Double J & Twice the T tour NZ schools and inspire a 9 year old Scribe. New Zealand record companies try to get in on the action and the Gluepot incident happens, a punch up involving Upper Hutt Posse, Aotearoa Hip Hop’s first major controversy. 

Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History is a rova original podcast.  Listen to the whole series now on the rova app.
 
Hosted by Phillip Bell aka DJ Sir-Vere
Written by Martyn Pepperell
Audio Production by Grant Brodie
Opening intro by Mareko
Produced by Asher Bastion
Executive Producer Richard Culph
 
With help from
Tegan Yorwarth
Rebecca Frank
Laura Spence
Lisa Diedricks
Rorie McGregor 
Alex King
& Nick Brown
 
Special thanks to all guests, interviews and any one who has help fact check, or fill us in on the extensive history & legacies contained in this podcast, you can find out more on our page on Mai FM.co.nz or read our articles on Audio Culture
 
This podcast was made with the support of New Zealand On Air

In 1985 Upper Hutt Posse form, setting the bar for the new sound of Aotearoa rap & hip hop, they release E-TU and blow the nation's mind. 1988 see’s one of the first international hip hop concerts happen in Auckland, Run DMC live at the Powerstation, which becomes a formative event in New Zealand hip hop. 

Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History is a rova original podcast. Listen to the first season now on the rova app. 
 
Hosted by Phillip Bell aka DJ Sir-Vere
Written by Martyn Pepperell
Audio Production by Grant Brodie
Opening intro by Mareko
Produced by Asher Bastion
Executive Producer Richard Culph
 
With help from
Tegan Yorwarth
Rebecca Frank
Laura Spence
Lisa Diedricks
Rorie McGregor 
Alex King
& Nick Brown
 
Special thanks to all guests, interviews and any one who has help fact check, or fill us in on the extensive history & legacies contained in this podcast, you can find out more on our page on Mai FM.co.nz or read our articles on Audio Culture
 
This podcast was made with the support of New Zealand On Air

Aotearoa, the early 80's. We meet an unsung hero of NZ Hip Hop DJ Teepee, who revolutionises the Wellington club scene, so much so, Stevie Wonder requests to see him when he’s in town. 1983 sees Uncut Funk & The Land of the Good Groove hit the airwaves and new hip hop crews begin to spring up across the country... Plus which Hollywood superstar started out running underage clubs on Symonds Street?

Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History is a rova original podcast. Download the rova app to listen to the first 6 episodes right now.
 
Hosted by Phillip Bell aka DJ Sir-Vere
Written by Martyn Pepperell
Audio Production by Grant Brodie
Opening intro by Mareko
Produced by Asher Bastion
Executive Producer Richard Culph
 
With help from
Tegan Yorwarth
Rebecca Frank
Laura Spence
Lisa Diedricks
Rorie McGregor 
Alex King
& Nick Brown
 
Special thanks to all guests, interviews and any one who has help fact check, or fill us in on the extensive history & legacies contained in this podcast, you can find out more on our page on Mai FM.co.nz or read our articles on Audio Culture
 
This podcast was made with the support of New Zealand On Air

Coming on November 19th to rova. The brand new podcast series... Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History. A timeline of Aotearoa Hip Hop from it's inception. 

Hosted by Philip Bell AKA Dj Sir-Vere.

3 years in the making, 100 interviews, 4 decades of History. 

Made with the support of NZ on Air