Post-Summit Wrap 2005
JOHANNA THORNTON got, errr, crunkin' with the rest of the kids at the Boost Mobile Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit 2005. She reports back on the highs, the lows, and the strangely apathetic.
IT WAS A WET and blustery Auckland night the weekend of the 2005 Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit – hip hop fans had to struggle against the wind, the clusters of smoking youths and the huge bouncers to get through the doors. With all the hype surrounding this years’ summit, it was a surprise to see the big empty spaces and bored expressions once finally inside. The town hall’s massive crowd capacity accentuated the small numbers gathered in front of the stage to see the best of Aotearoa’s hip hop acts. The summit unfolded over the weekend, with workshops, graffiti battles, break dancing prelims and turntable demonstrations during the day and music by night. The Friday night ‘superduper grand concert’ kicked off at 6.30 with Tokoroa group Turntepu Toa and Veracity. The atmosphere inside could have been due to the light still filtering through the rain clouds outside. More people would come to see big acts Nesian Mystic and The Fast Crew later in the night. Right?
Up next was The Wanderers, a large group featuring LT, J*Star, Juse 1, Focas, Blaze, DJ Kerb, SL, Hostile, Jonny Spearz, Spexone, Tha KID and Darkness worked the crowd with their amazing flow and phat beats. A borrowed biggie track got the crowds roaring and set off some freestyle breakdancing among the masses.
With the space slowly filling up, it was time for the standout performers of the night – the newly formed Tomb Raiderz – featuring Askew (Elliot O’ Donnell, Disruptiv founder and joint organiser of the summit), Esspro, Mega, Miss Dmyze and bFM Trueschool hip hop show host DJ Mouli.
“Do you know who Tomb Raiderz is?” Askew hollered to the crowd.
“Disruptive?”
Well, they should know now. With DJ Mouli’s wicked tunes – tracks by Kanye West and Dead Prez to name a couple - and the beautiful voice of Nikki Montana, the Raiderz are one to watch. It was frustrating to see an unresponsive crowd, when presented with the honey tones of Miss Dymze and MC skills of Askew.
It was 9.15 pm and time for The Downlow, a central-Auckland outfit consisting of MC’s Loki and Slopemist, producer Zone 1 and vocalist Maia. Again, the audience was muted, but this wasn’t warranted by the performance. The Downlow had a mean flow, reminiscent of Mobb Deep and sweetened by Maia’s voice.
Tyna and JB from Hamilton and Breakin Wreakwordz from Auckland failed to excite the crowd. Figuring the audience was waiting for the last two acts to really get down, it was time for a cigarette.
The 2005 Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit was a free, underage gig. You’d expect it to be bursting at the seams. This was a frustrating factor. A friend at Ticketek said tickets to the event were sold out by 2.00pm. “It was heartbreaking to turn so many people away,” she had said. Around 4,000 free tickets waltzed out of the ticketing offices during the week leading up to the summit – there was no way there were that many people at the event.
Back inside, Breakin Wreakwordz was finishing off their segment. The crowd was more excited by the free stuff thrown out by host MC Slave than the musical talent featured on the night. “Make some noise for the free stuff they gave you!” Slave yells. Flailing limbs grabbed at the t-shirts and CD’s.
Right, it is 11.05 and time for Nesian Mystic. Their debut album “Polysaturated” achieved four top ten hits and sold over four times platinum in New Zealand. They were sure to get the crowd going. However the overriding theme of the evening was present here as well – there was no moving, no dancing, no singing and not much cheering from the mob. To be honest, Friday Night ended there... bring on Saturday.
ANOTHER COLD NIGHT – this time massive lines were fighting the rain while waiting outside the St James for the re-directed Black Eyed Peas concert. The bouncers at the summit were doing their best not to let anyone in without a ticket – a crying shame considering the crestfallen faces of the young kids sent back out into the dark streets.
The ‘Saturday Nite Finale Extravaganza’ began with S.A.I.D from Dunedin, Temple Jones from Porirua, GND from Wellington and Korza from Whangarei. Ladi 6 came onstage at 8.00pm and still the numbers inside the town hall were smaller than the previous night. Ladi was a nice low-key performer, belting out songs in her MC voice. This began to falter as she went on, though she apologised for losing her voice. At one point she said to the audience: “You know, feel free to move, you don’t have to just watch.” Good call, since it felt like New Zealand had turned up to the summit to judge and view, not to have a good time.
Tourettes from Auckland were freakin’ lively. Scratch 22 jumped all over the stage banging chopsticks, head nodding and pumping up the audience. Tourettes performed a couple of songs from the debut release “The misadventures of Jonny Favourite”. With lyrics like “You now that guy from KFC that’s jacking off into the coleslaw?” coupled with the perilous slinging of CD’s into the crowd – this act was full-on.
Next was the “Disrupt the Floor” Breakin’ Finals featuring Blackout and the StepKingz. The mat was rolled out and the crowd parted. This was a sweet break and contributed to the all encompassing feel of hip-hop culture.
PNC (Sam Hansen) from Palmerston North dirtied up the town hall dissing the Misfits of Science. “I got some words for those faggots. If you hate Misfits put up your middle finger.”
Holy... Who’s heard of beat-boxer Just N Effect? Write that name down because he was the best act at the Summit. A massive crowd favourite, with no less than three encores, this guy ripped up the stage with his undeniable talent and humble nature. Finally, the crowd was going wild. Upstairs and downstairs people showed their appreciation for his mad skills with the microphone. While some just watched entranced at the sounds coming out of the guy, others cheered, hollered, moved and clapped. Whew, he was mean. Michael Jackson never sounded so good.
Described as a “hip hop soldier” for his ten years of experience in the game, MC Flowz, accompanied by DJ Raw didn’t come off well. Is it enough to say that he was wearing a t-shirt with his name and website on it? Or that he talked himself up more than he rapped? Let’s just say, the crowd dwindled.
Chong Nee from Auckland and 4 Corners from Htown were up next. Both provided solid, well synchronised performances. Loved the female vocals by Tyra.
Oh yeah, now for Frontline. David Dallas (aka Con Psy) was a pro with the crowd. He and producer 41 (Nick Maclaren) succeeded where others had failed – the crowd was loving it. First up the ever-popular P-Money track “1, 2, 3” with PNC. Second, a bit of Bone Thugs. This was the largest crowd turn out yet, not to mention some of the only dancing over the weekend. Scribe made an appearance for “Not Many, If Any”, which pleased the mob no-end. It was solid. The unassuming duo was brilliant and they have definitely made their mark on New Zealand hip hop.
Wrapping up the weekend long summit was New Zealand hip hop favourite Che Fu. Che Fu recently released a third album “Beneath the radar” after 1998’s 2b S.pacific and The Navigator. Accompanied by The Crates, the half-hour long set was a mixture of old and new, with old-school favourite “Chains” starting things off. Che Fu was the perfect choice to end the night’s performances. However, it didn’t seem right that the town hall was only half-full for this veteran performer. Where is the love?
A POINT OF difference at this year’s summit was the lack of overseas artists. The focus on Aotearoa talent is a nice idea, but it simply did not attract a big enough crowd. This crucial showcasing of New Zealand hip hop benefits from the masses flocking to see their favourite US or overseas act. The horrific Auckland weather, the small, young crowd and the various unknown performers on the night contributed to the summit not reaching its full potential. There were some stand-out acts for sure: Tomb Raiderz, Just N’ Effect and Frontline ripped it up. Go out and buy some New Zealand hip hop – if we’ve learnt anything it’s that it needs our support.
IT WAS A WET and blustery Auckland night the weekend of the 2005 Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit – hip hop fans had to struggle against the wind, the clusters of smoking youths and the huge bouncers to get through the doors. With all the hype surrounding this years’ summit, it was a surprise to see the big empty spaces and bored expressions once finally inside. The town hall’s massive crowd capacity accentuated the small numbers gathered in front of the stage to see the best of Aotearoa’s hip hop acts. The summit unfolded over the weekend, with workshops, graffiti battles, break dancing prelims and turntable demonstrations during the day and music by night. The Friday night ‘superduper grand concert’ kicked off at 6.30 with Tokoroa group Turntepu Toa and Veracity. The atmosphere inside could have been due to the light still filtering through the rain clouds outside. More people would come to see big acts Nesian Mystic and The Fast Crew later in the night. Right?
Up next was The Wanderers, a large group featuring LT, J*Star, Juse 1, Focas, Blaze, DJ Kerb, SL, Hostile, Jonny Spearz, Spexone, Tha KID and Darkness worked the crowd with their amazing flow and phat beats. A borrowed biggie track got the crowds roaring and set off some freestyle breakdancing among the masses.
With the space slowly filling up, it was time for the standout performers of the night – the newly formed Tomb Raiderz – featuring Askew (Elliot O’ Donnell, Disruptiv founder and joint organiser of the summit), Esspro, Mega, Miss Dmyze and bFM Trueschool hip hop show host DJ Mouli.
“Do you know who Tomb Raiderz is?” Askew hollered to the crowd.
“Disruptive?”
Well, they should know now. With DJ Mouli’s wicked tunes – tracks by Kanye West and Dead Prez to name a couple - and the beautiful voice of Nikki Montana, the Raiderz are one to watch. It was frustrating to see an unresponsive crowd, when presented with the honey tones of Miss Dymze and MC skills of Askew.
It was 9.15 pm and time for The Downlow, a central-Auckland outfit consisting of MC’s Loki and Slopemist, producer Zone 1 and vocalist Maia. Again, the audience was muted, but this wasn’t warranted by the performance. The Downlow had a mean flow, reminiscent of Mobb Deep and sweetened by Maia’s voice.
Tyna and JB from Hamilton and Breakin Wreakwordz from Auckland failed to excite the crowd. Figuring the audience was waiting for the last two acts to really get down, it was time for a cigarette.
The 2005 Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit was a free, underage gig. You’d expect it to be bursting at the seams. This was a frustrating factor. A friend at Ticketek said tickets to the event were sold out by 2.00pm. “It was heartbreaking to turn so many people away,” she had said. Around 4,000 free tickets waltzed out of the ticketing offices during the week leading up to the summit – there was no way there were that many people at the event.
Back inside, Breakin Wreakwordz was finishing off their segment. The crowd was more excited by the free stuff thrown out by host MC Slave than the musical talent featured on the night. “Make some noise for the free stuff they gave you!” Slave yells. Flailing limbs grabbed at the t-shirts and CD’s.
Right, it is 11.05 and time for Nesian Mystic. Their debut album “Polysaturated” achieved four top ten hits and sold over four times platinum in New Zealand. They were sure to get the crowd going. However the overriding theme of the evening was present here as well – there was no moving, no dancing, no singing and not much cheering from the mob. To be honest, Friday Night ended there... bring on Saturday.
* * *
ANOTHER COLD NIGHT – this time massive lines were fighting the rain while waiting outside the St James for the re-directed Black Eyed Peas concert. The bouncers at the summit were doing their best not to let anyone in without a ticket – a crying shame considering the crestfallen faces of the young kids sent back out into the dark streets.
The ‘Saturday Nite Finale Extravaganza’ began with S.A.I.D from Dunedin, Temple Jones from Porirua, GND from Wellington and Korza from Whangarei. Ladi 6 came onstage at 8.00pm and still the numbers inside the town hall were smaller than the previous night. Ladi was a nice low-key performer, belting out songs in her MC voice. This began to falter as she went on, though she apologised for losing her voice. At one point she said to the audience: “You know, feel free to move, you don’t have to just watch.” Good call, since it felt like New Zealand had turned up to the summit to judge and view, not to have a good time.
Tourettes from Auckland were freakin’ lively. Scratch 22 jumped all over the stage banging chopsticks, head nodding and pumping up the audience. Tourettes performed a couple of songs from the debut release “The misadventures of Jonny Favourite”. With lyrics like “You now that guy from KFC that’s jacking off into the coleslaw?” coupled with the perilous slinging of CD’s into the crowd – this act was full-on.
Next was the “Disrupt the Floor” Breakin’ Finals featuring Blackout and the StepKingz. The mat was rolled out and the crowd parted. This was a sweet break and contributed to the all encompassing feel of hip-hop culture.
PNC (Sam Hansen) from Palmerston North dirtied up the town hall dissing the Misfits of Science. “I got some words for those faggots. If you hate Misfits put up your middle finger.”
Holy... Who’s heard of beat-boxer Just N Effect? Write that name down because he was the best act at the Summit. A massive crowd favourite, with no less than three encores, this guy ripped up the stage with his undeniable talent and humble nature. Finally, the crowd was going wild. Upstairs and downstairs people showed their appreciation for his mad skills with the microphone. While some just watched entranced at the sounds coming out of the guy, others cheered, hollered, moved and clapped. Whew, he was mean. Michael Jackson never sounded so good.
Described as a “hip hop soldier” for his ten years of experience in the game, MC Flowz, accompanied by DJ Raw didn’t come off well. Is it enough to say that he was wearing a t-shirt with his name and website on it? Or that he talked himself up more than he rapped? Let’s just say, the crowd dwindled.
Chong Nee from Auckland and 4 Corners from Htown were up next. Both provided solid, well synchronised performances. Loved the female vocals by Tyra.
Oh yeah, now for Frontline. David Dallas (aka Con Psy) was a pro with the crowd. He and producer 41 (Nick Maclaren) succeeded where others had failed – the crowd was loving it. First up the ever-popular P-Money track “1, 2, 3” with PNC. Second, a bit of Bone Thugs. This was the largest crowd turn out yet, not to mention some of the only dancing over the weekend. Scribe made an appearance for “Not Many, If Any”, which pleased the mob no-end. It was solid. The unassuming duo was brilliant and they have definitely made their mark on New Zealand hip hop.
Wrapping up the weekend long summit was New Zealand hip hop favourite Che Fu. Che Fu recently released a third album “Beneath the radar” after 1998’s 2b S.pacific and The Navigator. Accompanied by The Crates, the half-hour long set was a mixture of old and new, with old-school favourite “Chains” starting things off. Che Fu was the perfect choice to end the night’s performances. However, it didn’t seem right that the town hall was only half-full for this veteran performer. Where is the love?
* * *
A POINT OF difference at this year’s summit was the lack of overseas artists. The focus on Aotearoa talent is a nice idea, but it simply did not attract a big enough crowd. This crucial showcasing of New Zealand hip hop benefits from the masses flocking to see their favourite US or overseas act. The horrific Auckland weather, the small, young crowd and the various unknown performers on the night contributed to the summit not reaching its full potential. There were some stand-out acts for sure: Tomb Raiderz, Just N’ Effect and Frontline ripped it up. Go out and buy some New Zealand hip hop – if we’ve learnt anything it’s that it needs our support.
Images courtesy of hiphopnz.com
Motukauri. Yakas. wrote:
Please,please,please.