Showcasing a variety of talented hip-hop acts from New Zealand, Next Up: Aotearoa touts a consuming array of vocal precision and magnetic beats. The self-funded project is helmed by Australia-based producer Daz, whose past successes range across a breadth of styles, from hip-hop to house. Working with a talented group of artists whose origins span from Christchurch to Auckland, Daz’s production aids in highlighting the abundance of high-quality artistry emerging from the Aotearoa hip-hop scene — on display across these 10 excellent tracks.
Kicking off the release, “Any Means” struts a soulful charisma in its “money can’t buy no love,” central hook — bolstered by twinkling keys and a siren-like sampling that oozes ’90s hip-hop nostalgia. The melodic central chorus moves seamlessly into fluid verses. “I never felt it when the pressure’s on,” the vocals let out there. The track features Bhozy, whose underground album The Misguided Adventures Of Winnie The Fuu is considered a classic in NZ and beyond. The ensuing “OTHR33” reminds fondly of British rapper Dave in its fusing of haunting keys and ardent vocal prowess, coming here courtesy of FR3QUENT, whose impressive wordplay doesn’t let up in its replay-inducing ferociousness.
Wellington native Big Dylz exudes ample confidence on “Subtle Brag,” where sporadic bass-y buzzes and prancing woodwind-like ethereality pair with “just give me my money,” vocal beckoning. The “don’t wanna get ugly,” line signals a heightening of the beat’s pitch, effervescent and magnetic as the conclusion arrives to this brief yet impactful track. Coming next, Stanza Blade and Joe the Freakshow immerse on “Spray.” Accounts of “home invasions and altercations,” move with rapid entrancement as a haunting beat emanates alongside; the contrast of a nocturnal instrumental backing with an ardent ferocity makes for one of the album’s most grippingly intense successes. Both artists on the track, brothers in real life, are pioneers of the NZ grime scene. Stanza Blade also featured on Red Bull’s 64 Bars series.
Featuring Event & Tacaveli, “Danger Zone” succeeds in channeling a more soulful, approachable hip-hop appeal. “We started from the bottom, now we sit at the top,” the vocals exude, into a catching “my hood, my home,” hook with brassy adornments and funky rhythmic prowess. A more foreboding hip-hop darkness shines on “Extraterrestrial,” which infuses samples from UFO/alien eyewitnesses and various news/documentaries as Big Guts Billy’s infectious delivery arrives thereafter. A release that succeeds in spanning from heady hip-hop to soulful delights, and featuring impeccable production from Daz across all ten tracks, Next Up: Aotearoa is a thoroughly memorable listening experience.
