100% Indigenous Hip Hop - Aboriginal and Maori

An indigenous uprising has been planned to hit Bar Bodega on Thursday 30th October, when Aboriginal hip hop crews Local Knowledge, Gudabah, and free.B, along with Maori hip hop revolutionaries Upper Hutt Posse and assorted comrades take to the stage to celebrate indigenous resistance to colonisation.

"As the warmongering against indigenous peoples continues, and as our perspectives and ideas are continually trivialised by pakeha, events like this are happening for us to celebrate our existence, for us to strengthen the resolve to end racism and to end oppression, to end this bullshit democractic capitalist system which only benefits greed and money hunger". Dean Hapeta (aka D Word, aka Te Kupu) of the Upper Hutt Posse

The gig celebrates indigenous resistance to colonisation and coincides with the week that the Declaration of Independence 1835 was signed at Waitangi. The Declaration of Independence, signed in October 1835, was a pre-runner to the Treaty of Waitangi, declaring Aotearoa an independent country. It stated that all sovereign power and authority would reside with the Indigenous tribes. The Declaration's signatories agreed to meet at Waitangi in the autumn of every year to frame laws for the peace and good order of the country.

The organisation spearheading this cultural and political exchange is Te Kawau Maro:

"The gig is an indigenous conscious kaupapa between Aboriginal and Maori, continuing a long tradition of politically and actively working together. It is also an opportunity for the two indigenous groups to collaborate more closely, and to raise our struggle by utilising those skills and Talents that we have been gifted. It is an opportunity to focus energies on indigenous peoples down under, therefore it is a kaupapa gig, politically focused and motivated by political people."
Tauni Ngatai-Sinclair

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Local Knowledge

Born in March 2002, Local Knowledge is composed of lyricist brothers Abie and Warrick (Wok) Wright alongside turntablist and producer Joel Wenitong-Rios (aka DJ Weno). Their party rockin hip hop carries a message of pride, identity and self-determination, and Local Knowledge are as well known in their local community for their involvement in Indigenous causes as they are for their music. Aiming to teach people about Aboriginal issues through intelligent rap, Local Knowledge "tell it like it was, how it is and how it should be".

Gudabah

Fresh Murris from the Cairns scene; Astro, Allan, and Mo make up Gudabah, an Aboriginal reggae-rhythm-rock-rap crew. Also skilled in traditional Aboriginal dance and song, the trio have performed around Australia and Asia, with Astro recently appearing in New York.

Free.B

A Goori actor/rapper of Dunghutti nation, free.B is also a traditional dancer and has performed live locally, at national Australian festivals and in Japan.

Upper Hutt Posse

Since their inception as a reggae band in 1985, the Posse have been fighting racial injustice through their music. In1988 they released Aotearoa's first rap record, 'E Tu' and with it they defined themselves as one of Maori youth's most relevant voices, and more than that, a voice for the youth of Aotearoa, and all those who see the need for change. 3 albums, 11 singles and 11 music video clips later, Upper Hutt Posse have performed throughout Aotearoa and the world always bringing a strong political consciousness combined with some of the most innovative music heard from this country.
See http://www.tekupu.com for more info.

Native Sons

Established in 1994, the 8 Native Sons are focused on Maori Independence. With their DJ, MC and vocal fusion they generate Sovereignty-driven bass heavy reggae hip hop.

Nat Rose

Since 1999 Nat and her crew have brought forth bountiful fresh 'n' soulful hip hop - inna wahine independent soul to soul stylee.

Medical Clan feat. MC 11

Since the dawn of the new millennium Medical Clan and MC 11 have been droppin' their phat 'n' heavy hip hop beats blended with socially conscious and politically inspired Rangatahi Maori.

MCB.Me & Jamila

Also invented with the advent of the new Millennium, MCB.Me & Jamila are politically conscious sistas rhymin' in tune to a blues-lounge vocal melange.