Dub dot dash

Hip hop and ya don't stop (and the Hiphop Summit flops?)
I checked out the graffiti in Aotea Square (why does it always rain for this event?) and the evening concerts in the Town Hall for the Aotearoa Hiphop Summit at the weekend. Some wicked acts, but surprisingly small crowds both nights. Previous years have seen the Town Hall pack out, with downstairs, the blacony and the cricle all full. If you saw last night's Holla Hour with DJ Sirvere, he did a special on the Summit, and played the video for the Summit Anthem by Ali, Flowz, Scribe et al, which was filmed at a packed Town Hall at a previous Summit a few years back. This year, Disruptiv had stepped in to take over from organisers Sirvere and Ali, and had hooked up enough sponsorshp to allow them to offer free tickets to the evening concerts , unlike previous years when there had been a door charge.

Something went seriously wrong with pulling in the crowds though - friday night there was around 300 people downstairs, a handful of artists hanging in the balcony seats, and the same number showed up for the saturday night. Friday's headliners were Fast Crew and Nesian Mystic, and saturday's show closed with Frontline and Che Fu. None of the TV ads I saw mentioned any acts (just the event), which may have reduced interest from the kids. What went wrong? Any thoughts? Has NZ hiphop got a bit tired and decided to sit the f*ck down?

Highlights included fine sets from Ladi 6, Tourettes (dude samples 'I'm so bored with the USA' by The Clash, how cool is that?) Tyna and JB, Flowz, Soundproof, and PNC, who dropped a wicked tune aimed at wack NZ hiphop, after introing the song by saying 'the best thing about this years summit is no wack groups. No Misfits of Science, no Flow On Show..." he then invited the crowd to raise your middle finger if you don't like Misfits of Science.

Later I wandered out of the back entrance of the Town Hall, and there was a small crowd gathered round the back stage entrance. I went over and had a look, and discovered PNC having words with Flow On Show, who were not impressed at him taking those sentiments to the stage - they were claiming that they'd squashed this beef with him, and wanted to know why he'd bought it up again. Tyna was trying to mediate, but PNC was adamant that Flow On Show hadn't squashed it and had mentioned it elsewhere. It degenerated to the level of your classic kids playground argument - "You started it" - No, you started it", very mature behaviour for grown men, you might say. Ended with a security guard stepping in saying "you guys can sort this out, but not here", and hustling PNC and Con-psy back inside. I think I caught PNC making a quick apology, but I could be wrong.

Having witnessed a classic case of hiphop beef, I decided to head home. What an exciting night it had been. Hats off to Tze Ming Mok for looking so hiphop in her camoflage pants and hoodie.

Under cover
Copyright has a cover version of How Bizarre up for your listening pleasure. Described thus: "there's something charming about this cute little Canadian doo-woppy indie band's version of this one that surprisingly doesn't make me want to shove pencils in my ears." Hey Simon, whatcha think?