Celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop
August 11th 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop - an art form that has helped influence so much of pop culture in the USA where it was birthed and around the world even down to tiny island nations & communities in the South Pacific.
Hip hop historians are able to pinpoint the date because a party in the Bronx on August 11th 1973 was when DJ Kool Herc debuted his 'merry go round' technique of playing funk breaks back to back. The event inspired DJs, breakdancers, graffiti artists, and eventually MCs in the early 80s which is when the culture spread beyond New York.
To honour the legacy and influence of this now global culture, we asked a number of our Pasifika hip hop artists who their all time favourite hip hop artist is or who would be the most influential hip hop artist in their career.
We start with Gawtti from the legendary Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E (the group of Samoan brothers who are celebrated as the pioneers of Samoan and Polynesian hip hop).
"Malo lava! Thank you for reaching out, Hip Hop’s 50th Bday is definitely special & monumental to us for so many reasons.
No biased opinion here, but my personal favorite Hip Hop artist of all time is my big Brother, Ganxsta Ridd. I’ve witnessed him pen 8 albums by himself. The passion he poured into his music was disruptive and done with conviction. His talent was a rarity & ahead of the times.
As far as most influential in our Group’s career, because we were part of the original wave of Hip Hop coming up in the late 80’s some of our influences were the Forefathers of Hip Hop, DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5, also the Fat Boys. Other honorable mentions that were influential were our peers in the game, Ice T, Public Enemy & NWA.
We are honored to be mentioned in the many conversations regarding the History of Hip Hop and grateful for all the opportunities and memories Hip Hop has afforded us over the years! Happy 50th Birthday to Hip Hop."
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History making, award winning, Samoan hip hop artist hailing from Christchurch city Scribe
"I think most influential in NZ to me as an MC would have to be Erhmen. He was actually out there doing it before the internet and being the voice of the South Auckland people he represented and created a pathway for all of us.
Original and unapologetic in his craft. I saw him perform live when I was 16. Without him NZ HIP HOP wouldn’t be as advanced if it wasn’t for him."
Scribe's debut album 'The Crusader' turns 20yrs old in October 2023.
The 2023 'Best Hip Hop artist award' winner at the Pacific Music Awards, Poetik
"Tupac, Gangxsta Ridd & Bone Thugs. Biggest inspiration tho was my Father who was performing before hiphop started."
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Grammy nominated producer Willstah
"50 cent is probably one of my faves 😅 there's too many"
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Christchurch born and raised, platinum selling MC Ladi6
"Hmmm that's a hard one. Most influential for sure is Scribe and Spex."
Western Sydney's SVNO, of Planet Vegeta fame.
"Sheeesh aight ahhh off the top I’m gonna say Chance the rapper personally cos he just a animal when it comes to Melodie’s n cadence n the shit he says just real.
I fw drake, always been a fan but mostly his 'Take Care' album. Shit was on replay during a tough few years in life. That album & a Kirk Franklin album are like the only CD’s I had back in the day so 92 use to bump 'em on all rides."
In case you're not familiar with SVNO's music check out his latest music video below -
A few weeks ago the godfather of South Auckland hip hop, Ermehn passed away. #RIP
His son Rhyme was kind enough to share with us an insight into what Ermehn enjoyed listening to and who he was influenced by.
"Throughout his life he collected various CD's from the greats such as Nas, Rakim, and A Tribe called Quest. In his later years he enjoyed listening to modern artists like Freddie Gibbs, Joey Bada$$ and Knucks.
He always had plenty of love for many NZ Hip Hop artists and I'm 100% sure that they know who they are" - Rhyme Loto
'Silver and Gold' by Ermehn ft fellow Otara musicians 'Cydel'
Frisko from the Deceptikonz - the group just won 'Best Pacific Group' at the Pacific Music Awards.
"The most influential rapper for me would be Jay Z growing up. The 'Blue Print' was one of my fave albums as well as 'Blue Print 3' and 'The Black Album' to name a few. I loved his flow, word play and charisma. Over the years we have seen him grow into more than just music and I feel that music can be a vehicle for other goals you have in life!
As a New Zealand born Pacific Islander who struggled with identity, Hip Hop music was definitely an outlet to express myself!
Happy 50 years of Hiphop!"
The Deceptikonz celebrated 20 years since their debut album 'Elimination' dropped with an album released independently last year called 'In Perpetuity'. The track 'One Time' below is featured on it.
Spycc from Onehunga hip hop collective 'SWIDT'
"Shit, as cliché as this answer is, definitely 2pac. The amount of influence and impact he had on me & the world at the young age of 25 is crazy.
Plus he's a Gemini. Plus he's polarising"
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Feleti from central Auckland based hip hop & RnB group Nesian Mystik
"Andre3000 but also love some Stormzy"
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Samoan language rapper Kas Futialo aka Tha Feelstyle
"Chuck D from Public Enemy . He said something on an Interview that before 'Public Enemy' finishes, their goal was to build Leaders in different communities ... I wanted to be one of those leaders."
NZ Hip Hop artist, Producer and Director Dei Hamo
"Wow ... Good question. Lol! I'd have to go LL Cool J, because he was the first Rapper that really made me wanna be a Rapper.
Our family didn't have a VHS at the time so I would walk to my friends house before school and ask to watch LL Cool J's 'I'm Bad' video on his VHS player while he got ready for school. Haha"
ps the oral history of Dei Hamo's 'We gon Ride' is a great read. Then peep the music video below
Mareko from the Deceptikonz. pssst his debut solo album 'White Sunday' turns 20 this year!
"Ice Cube would be my favourite"
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Toma Amosa from The Daylight Robbery
"Damn that's a big question haha probably gna be cliche as and say Pac lol!"
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West Compton, LA raised, Samoan rapper Cuuhraig
"I would say Lil Wayne"
Hailing from the streets of Long Beach, California Samoan/Mexican rapper Monsta Ganjah
Over the weekend Mangere Town Centre hosted a celebration for 50 years of Hip Hop featuring performances by young up and coming South Auckland artists, food stalls, merch, activities for the kids and more.
Hip hop artist Queen Shirl'e talks about what she loves about hip hop & who her fave hip hop artist of all time is in the video below -
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Thank you to everyone who contributed to this article. Happy 50 years of Hip Hop!
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air