Thank you so much!!!!! MTC Waaaaaattttttttttttttt!
By the way, "Chains" was #2 for two weeks before moving on to holding down the #1 spot for six weeks. Sound familiar? I think it's fair to say that "Brother" is now a classic.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
YOUNG SID on the Late Nite Hype:
Due to prior commitments, Sid couldn't make it up to Mai FM for the show last week. But as promised, he headed up to Mai FM one week later to kick it with DJ Sir-Vere and Turksta...
Thanks for the footage Phil!
Thanks for the footage Phil!
SMASHPROOF & GIN perform "Brother" for the first time:
Gin and the boys got together to perform their #1 hit at the album launch party last week.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Golden boys SMASHPROOF storm top of the charts:
Sun, 29 Mar 2009 1:42p.m.
Humbleness might not be their strongest point. But then, why should it be, given Smashproof's single 'Brother' has just been confirmed No.1 in the NZ music charts for the fifth straight week, earning gold status.
"No. 1 man, that feels awesome, it's ecstatic to hear that we're five weeks," Tyree says.
Since Monday, their debut album The Weekend is out as well and the group hopes that it will follow the success of the single.
Smashproof - the name is a play with the word bulletproof - are no newcomers to New Zealand's hip-hop scene.
Tyree, whose solo album Now or Never earned him Best Male Artist at the 2007 Australasian Urban Music Awards, teamed up with Young Sid, whose album The Truth was nominated for Best Urban Release at last year's NZ Music Awards and gained him a Waiata Maori Award for Best Urban Album, and Deach.
The three have known each other more than 10 years and started out as Smashproof in 2001.
"Young Sid comes with a real grimy sort of street feel whereas me, I come with a sort of commercial element," the rapper explains.
"And Deach brings an R&B feel, so when we come together it is a different sound altogether."
A formula that adds up, as the first single 'Brother', featuring singer Gin Wigmore, shows.
The cooperation came together by chance. "If it had been up to us, we probably wouldn't have collaborated with her," Tyree confesses.
But their label, Universal Records, hooked them up with the award-winning singer.
"It was a long shot but it turned out for the best," he says and quickly adds that he has great respect for Gin Wigmore as an artist, "It's just her style and our style are totally different."
Wigmore is a 21-year-old singer and songwriter from Auckland. Her highly acclaimed first EP, Extended Play, was released last October and made it into the NZ album top 10. Her talent was recognised early, when she won the US-based International Songwriting Competition in 2004, beating 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC.
Her quirky style is often likened to singers like Macy Gray and Duffy.
'Brother' seems to have struck a nerve, winning praise for its honesty and relevant lyrics, with lines like "Man, take away a kid's life, just because he tagged? Damn", referring to businessman Bruce Emery who stabbed 15-year old Pihema Cameron to death. He was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison early this year.
"It's not just about that tagger, who died, it is also about issues that play a role in our society today," Tyree says. "There are heaps of issues that we address, from domestic violence to drugs and just everything in between. We are from south Auckland, that gives us sort of a green card to talk about what we are talking about because we are actually from there and know things from first hand experience."
Deach and Young Sid grew up in Otara, Tyree in Papatoetoe.
The rapper thinks that this realism is one of the most important qualities of the group.
"Everybody is rapping about stuff that's not real. And this is a song that's real. People will forget those kind of songs, they just come and go. But this song, they won't forget, because it leaves them with something to think about and even a different outlook on life. As musicians, damn, that's a privilege to get someone to think like that."
Although New Zealand hip hop recently found a lot of success with acts like Savage and Scribe, Tyree thinks that it is still in the shadow of American music.
"In American hip hop they are rapping about Ice, flash cars and all these women, but New Zealand music, speaking from Smashproof's point of view, it's real," he believes. "People can't relate to buying crystal or having Ice that's worth 500 grand, they can't relate to this, they don't have that type of money. They can relate to us, our music, because it's about what actually happens."
But all the same Smashproof are eying the United States. "Savage opened doors for NZ hip hop in the States," Tyree says.
"I am so proud of him, he deserves everything he's getting and he's definitely set a benchmark for New Zealand music overseas."
Smashproof are in talks about releasing 'Brother' on Akon's label SRC Records. "It's all in the air, I am hoping, keeping fingers crossed."
But first the trio want to focus their debut album here.
"I think Aotearoa has to take notice of this album, because there hasn't been an album that has come out of New Zealand like this," Tyree says.
Smashproof's The Weekend is a concept album. It starts with 'Clocking Out' and follows the trio through the weekend. Going out, getting drunk, chatting up girls and ends with 'Ordinary Life' where they fall back onto their feet and into the daily struggle of life.
The album closes with a motivational sermon to break the cycle of violence and depression with lines like "Only hard work and dedication will change that, take a good look at yourself and ask yourself the hard questions. Am I really willing to change?"
"The album is worth the interest, because we're talking about stuff that everybody does," Tyree says. "Different ages, groups, no matter what nationality you are, everybody is looking for the weekend. And we touch on subjects that everybody can relate to."
Although a lot of Smashproof's tracks can be seen as a social commentary, echoing the grim realities of growing up in south Auckland, the album is a far cry from preaching finger-wagging morality. It is loaded with catchy R&B-influenced pop songs and street-smart rhymes.
Tyree says he feels honoured, that he is in a position to reach out to the younger generation and give some advice.
"In a big nutshell, I want to tell them: you don't have to follow in anyone's footsteps you can just be yourself, just be your own man. Because that's what I did when I was younger. I came from a good family, good upbringing, good morals but I chose to follow my friends 'cause they were troublesome. From personal experience I would say: just be your own man, don't follow your friends and stick to what you were raised to believe."
In the meantime Smashproof are getting ready to tour the country. The dates haven't been set yet.
"But watch out, we're coming around soon," Tyree promises.
The Weekend is out now.
NZPA / TV3 News
Humbleness might not be their strongest point. But then, why should it be, given Smashproof's single 'Brother' has just been confirmed No.1 in the NZ music charts for the fifth straight week, earning gold status.
"No. 1 man, that feels awesome, it's ecstatic to hear that we're five weeks," Tyree says.
Since Monday, their debut album The Weekend is out as well and the group hopes that it will follow the success of the single.
Smashproof - the name is a play with the word bulletproof - are no newcomers to New Zealand's hip-hop scene.
Tyree, whose solo album Now or Never earned him Best Male Artist at the 2007 Australasian Urban Music Awards, teamed up with Young Sid, whose album The Truth was nominated for Best Urban Release at last year's NZ Music Awards and gained him a Waiata Maori Award for Best Urban Album, and Deach.
The three have known each other more than 10 years and started out as Smashproof in 2001.
"Young Sid comes with a real grimy sort of street feel whereas me, I come with a sort of commercial element," the rapper explains.
"And Deach brings an R&B feel, so when we come together it is a different sound altogether."
A formula that adds up, as the first single 'Brother', featuring singer Gin Wigmore, shows.
The cooperation came together by chance. "If it had been up to us, we probably wouldn't have collaborated with her," Tyree confesses.
But their label, Universal Records, hooked them up with the award-winning singer.
"It was a long shot but it turned out for the best," he says and quickly adds that he has great respect for Gin Wigmore as an artist, "It's just her style and our style are totally different."
Wigmore is a 21-year-old singer and songwriter from Auckland. Her highly acclaimed first EP, Extended Play, was released last October and made it into the NZ album top 10. Her talent was recognised early, when she won the US-based International Songwriting Competition in 2004, beating 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC.
Her quirky style is often likened to singers like Macy Gray and Duffy.
'Brother' seems to have struck a nerve, winning praise for its honesty and relevant lyrics, with lines like "Man, take away a kid's life, just because he tagged? Damn", referring to businessman Bruce Emery who stabbed 15-year old Pihema Cameron to death. He was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison early this year.
"It's not just about that tagger, who died, it is also about issues that play a role in our society today," Tyree says. "There are heaps of issues that we address, from domestic violence to drugs and just everything in between. We are from south Auckland, that gives us sort of a green card to talk about what we are talking about because we are actually from there and know things from first hand experience."
Deach and Young Sid grew up in Otara, Tyree in Papatoetoe.
The rapper thinks that this realism is one of the most important qualities of the group.
"Everybody is rapping about stuff that's not real. And this is a song that's real. People will forget those kind of songs, they just come and go. But this song, they won't forget, because it leaves them with something to think about and even a different outlook on life. As musicians, damn, that's a privilege to get someone to think like that."
Although New Zealand hip hop recently found a lot of success with acts like Savage and Scribe, Tyree thinks that it is still in the shadow of American music.
"In American hip hop they are rapping about Ice, flash cars and all these women, but New Zealand music, speaking from Smashproof's point of view, it's real," he believes. "People can't relate to buying crystal or having Ice that's worth 500 grand, they can't relate to this, they don't have that type of money. They can relate to us, our music, because it's about what actually happens."
But all the same Smashproof are eying the United States. "Savage opened doors for NZ hip hop in the States," Tyree says.
"I am so proud of him, he deserves everything he's getting and he's definitely set a benchmark for New Zealand music overseas."
Smashproof are in talks about releasing 'Brother' on Akon's label SRC Records. "It's all in the air, I am hoping, keeping fingers crossed."
But first the trio want to focus their debut album here.
"I think Aotearoa has to take notice of this album, because there hasn't been an album that has come out of New Zealand like this," Tyree says.
Smashproof's The Weekend is a concept album. It starts with 'Clocking Out' and follows the trio through the weekend. Going out, getting drunk, chatting up girls and ends with 'Ordinary Life' where they fall back onto their feet and into the daily struggle of life.
The album closes with a motivational sermon to break the cycle of violence and depression with lines like "Only hard work and dedication will change that, take a good look at yourself and ask yourself the hard questions. Am I really willing to change?"
"The album is worth the interest, because we're talking about stuff that everybody does," Tyree says. "Different ages, groups, no matter what nationality you are, everybody is looking for the weekend. And we touch on subjects that everybody can relate to."
Although a lot of Smashproof's tracks can be seen as a social commentary, echoing the grim realities of growing up in south Auckland, the album is a far cry from preaching finger-wagging morality. It is loaded with catchy R&B-influenced pop songs and street-smart rhymes.
Tyree says he feels honoured, that he is in a position to reach out to the younger generation and give some advice.
"In a big nutshell, I want to tell them: you don't have to follow in anyone's footsteps you can just be yourself, just be your own man. Because that's what I did when I was younger. I came from a good family, good upbringing, good morals but I chose to follow my friends 'cause they were troublesome. From personal experience I would say: just be your own man, don't follow your friends and stick to what you were raised to believe."
In the meantime Smashproof are getting ready to tour the country. The dates haven't been set yet.
"But watch out, we're coming around soon," Tyree promises.
The Weekend is out now.
NZPA / TV3 News
NESIAN MYSTIK wins Best Kiwi award at MTV Oz Awards:
SYDNEY--Nesian Mytsik won the first Best Kiwi award at the MTV Australia awards Friday, a live 90-minute show emceed by Pete Wentz that included a performance by Kings of Leon beamed in from a New Zealand concert.Voted on by MTV viewers in Australia and New Zealand, awards went to Pink winning Best Video for "So What" , Wentz and Fall Out Boy (Best Rock Video), The Ian Carey Project (Best Dance Video, "Get Shaky"), Britney Spears (Best Moves) and Katy Perry (Breakthrough Artist).
Jessica Mauboy won the Best Aussie award and Sneaky Sound System won the Independent Spirit Award.
The tight new format designed for the Aussie awards last year is close to the one used by the traditional MTV Video Music Awards. It was punctuated by performances from The Killers, Wolfmother, The Kaiser Chiefs and Vanilla Ice.
The show will be rebroadcast on MTV channels worldwide next week as part of MTV's "World Stage," a new global program that airs taped live music performances in the same Friday night timeslot on 62 MTV channels in 162 countries.
"By putting the full weight of MTV's international network behind the Awards we are able to give Australian and New Zealand artists unrivalled profile on a global stage," said Dave Sibley, Managing Director, MTV Networks Australia & New Zealand. "Securing worldwide exposure is a testament to the quality of those artists, and to the quality of output from MTV's Australasian unit."
Top marks boys!
SMASHPROOF - THE WEEKEND moves to #13 on iTunes:
It was #21 yesterday, so that is a very encouraging chart move.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
SMASHPROOF'S "Brother" is #1 for the 5th consecutive week
Thank you to all of the boys fans. Amazing!
Behind the scenes at the "It's Friday" video shoot:
Hey DKays! The track is called "It's Friday"!!! LMAO!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Today is the BIG DAY!!!
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SMASHPROOF - Making of The Weekend Pt. 2:
This edition opens up with a really interesting fly-on-the-wall view of the boys writing "Brother".
Shout out to DKays
Shout out to DKays
Sunday, March 22, 2009
SMASHPROOF on the Late Nite Hype tonight:
Check out DJ Sir-Vere & Turksta'a show on Mai FM tonight to catch the boys live & direct.
SMASHPROOF/TYREE - "Red Light":
Check out Tyree's MySpace page to hear the iTunes bonus track from THE WEEKEND. "Red Light" is Ty's first solo track to be released since his debut album dropped. Ty is gearing up enter the lab next month to start work on his second solo set. "Red Light" is produced by Khaled.
P DIDDY interview: Once Upon A Time In America:
A lot of you probably peeped this on Nah Right, but i wanted to highlight it to anyone that may have skipped past it thinking it was just another episode of Diddy getting his floss on.
This interview with Diddy is mad interesting and the bulk of it focuses on my favorite Hip Hop album ever, Ready To Die. Props to interviewer Barry Michael Cooper (writer of New Jack City).
This interview with Diddy is mad interesting and the bulk of it focuses on my favorite Hip Hop album ever, Ready To Die. Props to interviewer Barry Michael Cooper (writer of New Jack City).
Saturday, March 21, 2009
SMASHPROOF on TV3 News:
Swing over to the TV3 website to check out the story.SMASHPROOF set to drop The Weekend:
Kiwi hip-hop continues to be a recession buster with new kids on the block Smashproof continuing their winning run at the top of the local charts.
Their single 'Brother' has gone gold and the trio of Tyree, Young Sid and Deach are hoping their new album will follow suit.
Debut album The Weekend is due out next week and 'Brother', which Kiwi singer Gin Wigmore was on hand to lend vocals to, has been No. 1 on the New Zealand singles chart for four weeks running.
The video for the single is directed by Chris Graham, the man behind Sione's Wedding, directed the video for 'Brother'.
The track digs deep into South Auckland's underbelly, questioning the violence and gang culture. The social commentary includes a clear street verdict on the man who killed tagger, Pihema Cameron.
"To have a number one with a positive message, to make an impact and leave something with the people you know what I mean?" says Tyree.
South Auckland boys themselves, Smashproof say the response from their hood has been a good one.
"Much respect, even gang members are coming up and loving our music, ever though it's not so hard," says Deach.
They've been hard out taking their music to their fans, and happy to sign up for a close shave for charity.
They are also back on set shooting their second music video.
Kiwi hiphop is having a good year. Savage has made major inroads into the lucrative US market and his success offshore could open doors for others.
"Everyone has a big goal like that, to make it overseas," says Tyree. "We've always talked about it, making it in America, its a big dream man, hopefully we'll get there one day.
In the meantime, Smashproof just hopes their album does as well in New Zealand as their single has.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
SMASHPROOF in the NZ Herald:
A few obvious errors in this one, but not a bad read:
Weekend Warriors
Thursday Mar 19, 2009
By Rebecca Barry
Having scored a number one single with the controversial video-accompanied Brother, South Auckland hip-hop trio Smashproof release a debut album of songs mixing reportage and R&B good times. They talk to REBECCA BARRY
When Smashproof MC Tyree comes back to Auckland from Sydney, he likes to visit the Otara markets "because that's my sense of home".
Bandmates Young Sid and Deach roll their eyes.
"Especially for the donuts, you know what I mean? Ten donuts for $5! Course I'm going to go there. Obviously I don't have much money and I want a bargain."
He hoots a high-pitched Polynesian laugh, setting the others off.
We're at Woodcut Studios in Eden Terrace, where the hip-hop trio recorded their debut album, The Weekend. Smashproof have high expectations that Brother, the hard-hitting number one single about life in South Auckland, won't be the only track they'll be known for.
"This album," says Young Sid, who spends the first 10 minutes of the interview projecting a so-what attitude, "is probably the best hip-hop album from New Zealand, period."
Talking yourself up may seem risky at this early stage, except that's exactly what Smashproof have been doing since they formed in 2001, signed to Universal subsidiary Move the Crowd Records and released their Juse-produced debut single Ride Til I Die in 2005.
"Years before we had a number one we were rapping about being number one," says Deach, the quietest member of the group, who nevertheless idolises Ludacris and raps about pulling the ladies.
When the new album's first single, Brother did just that, Smashproof picked up a few cold beverages and went to the Docks, their secret meeting point on Auckland's waterfront, the "golden spot", where Tyree claims Auckland's inner city liquor ban doesn't exist.
"We were ecstatic," says Young Sid. "It was everything we'd worked for."
Brother isn't just a poignant reflection of the hard reality of life in South Auckland, with a Chris Graham-directed music video themed on the fatal stabbing of tagging teen Pihema Cameron by businessman Bruce Emery.
It marks the first time in a long time since a local hip-hop artist swept up the pop charts, making a statement while they were at it. Not Many and Swing might have got the dancefloor going but Brother exposed the grim realities of South Auckland, its problems with drug use and crime, the irony that it was a businessman, not a troubled youth, wielding a knife: "Man, take away a kid's life just because he tagged? Damn," raps Tyree. Pairing with the Duffy-
like singer-songwriter Gin Wigmore on Brother was another good move, (a throaty blonde singing a catchy chorus? Worked for Eminem), as was putting the trio in suits and ties for the video.
"We came at it with the view that we could speak about anything that happened in our neighbourhood," says Young Sid, whose solo album The Truth was nominated for Best Urban Release at 2008's NZ Music Awards and won the Waiata Maori award for Best Urban Album.
"I can understand how you could be frustrated with someone tagging your fence. He probably gets that a lot.
"You'd get sick of it. But he should have called the police."
"I know that young dude would've fought back," adds Tyree, whose solo album Now Or Never earned him Best Male Artist at the 2007 Australasian Urban Music Awards and set him on a path to becoming New Zealand's answer to TI. "That would have provoked Bruce more."
Despite the single's sombre subject matter, The Weekend is a party record that shows off their edgy street smarts while hooking their rhymes on some seriously catchy, R&B-influenced pop songs, from local producers such as FBI (French Beats International), Khaled (of the Formula) and Shuko (Foundation Productions). Kiwi R&B girl group Nina Sky feature on the song All Night Long.
Kirk Harding, senior vice-president of International Marketing for Universal-Motown, and the boys' big cheese in New York, convinced Smashproof to create a concept album based on that magical time after you've clocked off the day-job. Before things took off for the trio, Deach worked full-time in a call centre, Sid as a factory storeman and Tyree in retail.
"Can I help you with anything sir?" he says in his best sales voice. "This is very good material."
"We could make bad-ass songs all day but sticking to a topic, we didn't really want to," says Tyree. "It was a challenge. And I think we nailed it."
When they're not partying their way through the clubs, they're painting a picture of South Auckland, their "brother", as a place to be both revered and feared. It's where all three of them grew up, Deach and Sid in Otara and Tyree in Papatoetoe. Deach knows all too well the tragic stories that abound in his neighbourhood.
"We've got into some of that stuff and experienced some of our friends getting into it as well. Selling crack, child abuse. Kids getting beaten up. Teenage pregnancies."
His 18-year-old sister has two kids and another on the way.
Young Sid grew up with an alcoholic mother and a drug-dealing father. Life revolved around gangs.
"But then I grew up and decided I didn't really want to be like that. I'm still friends with everyone from that world. To me they're my family and friends. I'm not trying to say I'm better. I just wanted to be more than that."
Tyree, who says he had a good childhood with stable parents, knows of others in his extended family who weren't so lucky, kids without dads, kids gone wild.
"I was exposed to all these negative things in my neighbourhood: tagging, smoking weed, all the criminal activities you'd expect a young person in South Auckland to experience. I had a choice. I chose to, well, I felt compelled to be part of that scene. I think this is what young South Aucklanders go through today because they feel they have to be like their friends, go put that stuff in your pants when you're at K Mart."
You can't doubt Smashproof's honest reportage on the situation many of their young peers find themselves in but their sense of social concern tends to get washed away by some of the liquor-soaked songs and carefree interludes that lace the album: "Man, I'm gonna get wasted tonight." Then they launch straight into The Weekend: "Yeah, yeah, put your hands up in the air." Inevitably they wind up at the club, where they "skip the line and walk straight past the bouncers". Not surprisingly, there are plenty of ladies waiting for them inside.
Deach is the one, on record at least, who raps of picking up the "shawties" and eventually bringing them home. Smashproof aren't shy about their intentions.
"We think they'll like the beat," says Young Sid. "The verses - they'll probably be like, 'ew' but they'll like it."
Then they suffer through the Morning After: "What the f*** happened to you? I jog my memory but nothing comes through."
Songs like Brother and one named after a Sunday paper, in which the boys find woeful tales of South Aucklanders getting into trouble, are told "from our perspective". The party anthems, well, not so much.
"We're all characters so we're not the people getting drunk," says Deach. "We're showing our views on people, what they go through. I'm the ladies man on the album but I've got a girlfriend. I'm the player so I'm going through all the players in Auckland."
In the same vein, Young Sid is the troublemaker and Tyree, the Christian, "born again". In other words, he's the prankster. But he's not joking when he says Smashproof have "set the benchmark".
"Since we brought out Brother, I'm waiting for the next group to bring out a song like Brother."
Sister?
"Cousin."
Weekend Warriors
Thursday Mar 19, 2009
By Rebecca Barry
Having scored a number one single with the controversial video-accompanied Brother, South Auckland hip-hop trio Smashproof release a debut album of songs mixing reportage and R&B good times. They talk to REBECCA BARRY
When Smashproof MC Tyree comes back to Auckland from Sydney, he likes to visit the Otara markets "because that's my sense of home".
Bandmates Young Sid and Deach roll their eyes.
"Especially for the donuts, you know what I mean? Ten donuts for $5! Course I'm going to go there. Obviously I don't have much money and I want a bargain."
He hoots a high-pitched Polynesian laugh, setting the others off.
We're at Woodcut Studios in Eden Terrace, where the hip-hop trio recorded their debut album, The Weekend. Smashproof have high expectations that Brother, the hard-hitting number one single about life in South Auckland, won't be the only track they'll be known for.
"This album," says Young Sid, who spends the first 10 minutes of the interview projecting a so-what attitude, "is probably the best hip-hop album from New Zealand, period."
Talking yourself up may seem risky at this early stage, except that's exactly what Smashproof have been doing since they formed in 2001, signed to Universal subsidiary Move the Crowd Records and released their Juse-produced debut single Ride Til I Die in 2005.
"Years before we had a number one we were rapping about being number one," says Deach, the quietest member of the group, who nevertheless idolises Ludacris and raps about pulling the ladies.
When the new album's first single, Brother did just that, Smashproof picked up a few cold beverages and went to the Docks, their secret meeting point on Auckland's waterfront, the "golden spot", where Tyree claims Auckland's inner city liquor ban doesn't exist.
"We were ecstatic," says Young Sid. "It was everything we'd worked for."
Brother isn't just a poignant reflection of the hard reality of life in South Auckland, with a Chris Graham-directed music video themed on the fatal stabbing of tagging teen Pihema Cameron by businessman Bruce Emery.
It marks the first time in a long time since a local hip-hop artist swept up the pop charts, making a statement while they were at it. Not Many and Swing might have got the dancefloor going but Brother exposed the grim realities of South Auckland, its problems with drug use and crime, the irony that it was a businessman, not a troubled youth, wielding a knife: "Man, take away a kid's life just because he tagged? Damn," raps Tyree. Pairing with the Duffy-
like singer-songwriter Gin Wigmore on Brother was another good move, (a throaty blonde singing a catchy chorus? Worked for Eminem), as was putting the trio in suits and ties for the video.
"We came at it with the view that we could speak about anything that happened in our neighbourhood," says Young Sid, whose solo album The Truth was nominated for Best Urban Release at 2008's NZ Music Awards and won the Waiata Maori award for Best Urban Album.
"I can understand how you could be frustrated with someone tagging your fence. He probably gets that a lot.
"You'd get sick of it. But he should have called the police."
"I know that young dude would've fought back," adds Tyree, whose solo album Now Or Never earned him Best Male Artist at the 2007 Australasian Urban Music Awards and set him on a path to becoming New Zealand's answer to TI. "That would have provoked Bruce more."
Despite the single's sombre subject matter, The Weekend is a party record that shows off their edgy street smarts while hooking their rhymes on some seriously catchy, R&B-influenced pop songs, from local producers such as FBI (French Beats International), Khaled (of the Formula) and Shuko (Foundation Productions). Kiwi R&B girl group Nina Sky feature on the song All Night Long.
Kirk Harding, senior vice-president of International Marketing for Universal-Motown, and the boys' big cheese in New York, convinced Smashproof to create a concept album based on that magical time after you've clocked off the day-job. Before things took off for the trio, Deach worked full-time in a call centre, Sid as a factory storeman and Tyree in retail.
"Can I help you with anything sir?" he says in his best sales voice. "This is very good material."
"We could make bad-ass songs all day but sticking to a topic, we didn't really want to," says Tyree. "It was a challenge. And I think we nailed it."
When they're not partying their way through the clubs, they're painting a picture of South Auckland, their "brother", as a place to be both revered and feared. It's where all three of them grew up, Deach and Sid in Otara and Tyree in Papatoetoe. Deach knows all too well the tragic stories that abound in his neighbourhood.
"We've got into some of that stuff and experienced some of our friends getting into it as well. Selling crack, child abuse. Kids getting beaten up. Teenage pregnancies."
His 18-year-old sister has two kids and another on the way.
Young Sid grew up with an alcoholic mother and a drug-dealing father. Life revolved around gangs.
"But then I grew up and decided I didn't really want to be like that. I'm still friends with everyone from that world. To me they're my family and friends. I'm not trying to say I'm better. I just wanted to be more than that."
Tyree, who says he had a good childhood with stable parents, knows of others in his extended family who weren't so lucky, kids without dads, kids gone wild.
"I was exposed to all these negative things in my neighbourhood: tagging, smoking weed, all the criminal activities you'd expect a young person in South Auckland to experience. I had a choice. I chose to, well, I felt compelled to be part of that scene. I think this is what young South Aucklanders go through today because they feel they have to be like their friends, go put that stuff in your pants when you're at K Mart."
You can't doubt Smashproof's honest reportage on the situation many of their young peers find themselves in but their sense of social concern tends to get washed away by some of the liquor-soaked songs and carefree interludes that lace the album: "Man, I'm gonna get wasted tonight." Then they launch straight into The Weekend: "Yeah, yeah, put your hands up in the air." Inevitably they wind up at the club, where they "skip the line and walk straight past the bouncers". Not surprisingly, there are plenty of ladies waiting for them inside.
Deach is the one, on record at least, who raps of picking up the "shawties" and eventually bringing them home. Smashproof aren't shy about their intentions.
"We think they'll like the beat," says Young Sid. "The verses - they'll probably be like, 'ew' but they'll like it."
Then they suffer through the Morning After: "What the f*** happened to you? I jog my memory but nothing comes through."
Songs like Brother and one named after a Sunday paper, in which the boys find woeful tales of South Aucklanders getting into trouble, are told "from our perspective". The party anthems, well, not so much.
"We're all characters so we're not the people getting drunk," says Deach. "We're showing our views on people, what they go through. I'm the ladies man on the album but I've got a girlfriend. I'm the player so I'm going through all the players in Auckland."
In the same vein, Young Sid is the troublemaker and Tyree, the Christian, "born again". In other words, he's the prankster. But he's not joking when he says Smashproof have "set the benchmark".
"Since we brought out Brother, I'm waiting for the next group to bring out a song like Brother."
Sister?
"Cousin."
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
SMASHPROOF's "Brother" is #1 again:
"Brother" spends its fourth week atop the NZ singles chart. Again, thank you to everyone that has supported this track and the guys.
CHARITY EVENT To Raise Money For House Fire Victims:
Monday, 16 March, 2009 - 14:18
As a fundraiser for the Evile family of Mangere, who lost four children in a tragic house fire in early January, Botany Town Centre is hosting the free Work for Charity Hip Hop Event on Thursday 19 March.
The event, which runs from 5pm to 9pm, has been organised by 21-year-old Frankie Smith (a.k.a DJ Taktix) and 27 year old Joshua Webb (a.k.a J-Dub). It's the result of a brainwave Frankie had while participating in MTV's Work for Money, a reality TV show based around hip-hop artist and producer P Money's search for an employee.
The show required Frankie to come up with a profit-making idea in four hours. At the time of filming, the Evile family tragedy was in the headlines, and Frankie thought a music-based fundraising venture would help them through their loss.
With help from Joshua and friends, the idea is becoming reality next week at Botany Town Centre. The Work for Charity Hip Hop event will feature artists such as Dei Hamo, Smashproof, DJ Sirvere and J.Williams.
All artists are donating their time, and are pleased to have the opportunity to support the Evile family. SaNook Thai Express Restaurant at Botany Town Centre will also be sponsoring the food for the performers on the evening. The event is free to the public, and Frankie and Joshua are asking for gold coin donations at the event to go directly to the Eviles.
The Evile family has been overwhelmed by the community support they have received, and will be attending on the day. They hope the event will be full of joy and happiness in memory of their precious children.
Botany Town Centre Senior Centre Manager Jennifer Manning says her team is delighted to be playing a part in a fun family event that supports a local family. "We want to do whatever we can to help the community, and this is a family that truly needs and deserves it. The great part is that with everyone donating their time and resources, every cent collected on the day will go to the Eviles."
Frankie says he is likewise heartened by the generosity of those involved. "It is great to have a venue like Botany Town Centre made available, and I am grateful to everyone who has been so enthusiastic about getting behind my idea. I'm looking forward to a big turnout on Thursday."
People who cannot attend the event but would like to make a donation are asked to contact Frankie at or 021 022 82048.
SOURCE: VOXY
As a fundraiser for the Evile family of Mangere, who lost four children in a tragic house fire in early January, Botany Town Centre is hosting the free Work for Charity Hip Hop Event on Thursday 19 March.
The event, which runs from 5pm to 9pm, has been organised by 21-year-old Frankie Smith (a.k.a DJ Taktix) and 27 year old Joshua Webb (a.k.a J-Dub). It's the result of a brainwave Frankie had while participating in MTV's Work for Money, a reality TV show based around hip-hop artist and producer P Money's search for an employee.
The show required Frankie to come up with a profit-making idea in four hours. At the time of filming, the Evile family tragedy was in the headlines, and Frankie thought a music-based fundraising venture would help them through their loss.
With help from Joshua and friends, the idea is becoming reality next week at Botany Town Centre. The Work for Charity Hip Hop event will feature artists such as Dei Hamo, Smashproof, DJ Sirvere and J.Williams.
All artists are donating their time, and are pleased to have the opportunity to support the Evile family. SaNook Thai Express Restaurant at Botany Town Centre will also be sponsoring the food for the performers on the evening. The event is free to the public, and Frankie and Joshua are asking for gold coin donations at the event to go directly to the Eviles.
The Evile family has been overwhelmed by the community support they have received, and will be attending on the day. They hope the event will be full of joy and happiness in memory of their precious children.
Botany Town Centre Senior Centre Manager Jennifer Manning says her team is delighted to be playing a part in a fun family event that supports a local family. "We want to do whatever we can to help the community, and this is a family that truly needs and deserves it. The great part is that with everyone donating their time and resources, every cent collected on the day will go to the Eviles."
Frankie says he is likewise heartened by the generosity of those involved. "It is great to have a venue like Botany Town Centre made available, and I am grateful to everyone who has been so enthusiastic about getting behind my idea. I'm looking forward to a big turnout on Thursday."
People who cannot attend the event but would like to make a donation are asked to contact Frankie at or 021 022 82048.
SOURCE: VOXY
Monday, March 16, 2009
SMASHPROOF album release party:
THE SNEAK OUT SMASHPROOF RELEASE PARTY!!Thursday, March 26 at 10:00pm
CLUB BACIO
309 K ROAD
Auckland
Featuring performances from:
SMASHPROOF
Ethical & Neesh
Pieter.T
Tyson Tyler
MzJ
D.Love & Cavell
Sir.T
DJ Soultre and DJ Taktix on the 1's & 2's
$10 Door Sales
Brought to you by Move The Crowd and So Mizean Empire.
SMASHPROOF - "Brother" still #1:
Smashproof's single is still holding down the #1 spot on iTunes. Thank you!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Let's Take It Back... Way Back: MTC presents... Speed Of Sound Vol.1:
Mixtape #2 from the team. This mixtape marks the signing of Ethical, who added a couple of joints after joining the squad. Speed Of Sound Vol.1 is hosted by Jae Millz and mixed by our Australian brother from another, DJ Nino Brown. This one dropped prior to Tyree's debuts album Now Or Never in 2006. Now get to downloading...
FREELOAD - MTC Presents... Speed Of Sound Vol.1
Let's Take It Back... Way Back: SMASHPROOF - MTC presents... Tales Of the Southside Vol.1:
I know a lot of cats have been looking for a copy of Smashproof's very first mixtape. So in honor of the crews upcoming debut album release, i thought it would be cool to start posting the early mixtapes for your downloading pleasure.Tales Of the Southside Vol.1 was our very first release, pre-dating Juse's album "Gobal Casino", so i'm guessing that this dropped in mid-2005. Tales Of The Southside is hosted by Akon and featured the boys hood classic "Liquor".
Lot's of cats knocked us for not using a DJ to put this mixtape together when it initially dropped, but i think it's fair to say that this tape became a hood classic regardless. Vol.2 was never put into production because we signed Ethical soon after and he's not from the Southside, so we launched our Speed Of Sound series instead.
Here it is in all of it's glory. Humble beginnings folks! Enjoy.
FREELOAD - SMASHPROOF - TALES OF THE SOUTHSIDE VOL.1
SMASHPROOF's video surpasses 200,000 views:
Big shout out to Chris Graham and our F.B.I fam.
We are shooting the video for "It's Friday" this coming week, with Tim van Dammen of Blur & Sharpen directing. This video is going to be a completely different beast to the last one.
We are shooting the video for "It's Friday" this coming week, with Tim van Dammen of Blur & Sharpen directing. This video is going to be a completely different beast to the last one.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
YOUNG SID/SMASHPROOF in The Southland Times:
Hip-hop high flierBy MICHAEL FORBES - The Southland Times
Young Sid is riding a wave of success right now; his first No1 single, his first gold record and yesterday marked his first gig in Invercargill.
The 22-year-old, whose real name is Sidney Diamond, flew into town for the first of two shows at Saints and Sinners. The second concert is tonight.
An acclaimed hip-hop artist from South Auckland, Sid's 2007 debut album, The Truth, featured United States rap star Chamillionaire and was nominated for Urban Album of the Year at last year's New Zealand Music Awards.
Fast forward to 2009 and Sid currently sits atop the New Zealand singles chart for the third straight week, courtesy of the hit single Brother, which he recorded alongside Tyree and Deach, as part of the South Auckland hip-hip trio Smashproof.
The single recently achieved gold status and has become a staple on mainstream radio in this country.
Arriving at Invercargill Airport yesterday, Sid said his shows would feature a selection of songs from The Truth and a few from Smashproof's upcoming album The Weekend.
Fellow Smashproof member Deach would be performing, he said.
He credits Smashproof's recent success with allowing his music to reach a wider, more mainstream audience. "It got us a number one and it got us gold. We're taking it day by day but everywhere we go now, there's a packed-out club."
But Sid isn't just making his mark locally. He recently returned from six weeks in the US, where he spent time with producer Emile, who has worked with Eminem, Ice Cube and D12's Proof, he said.
"I was working on my next solo album. It was an awesome experience, just trying to be more of an international artist."
After his brief Southern Visit, he was heading back to Auckland to continue promoting The Weekend and would hopefully return to the US in June or July, he said.
Friday, March 13, 2009
SMASHPROOF - "Somebody Like Me":
DJ Sir-Vere's favorite track from the album. "Somebody Like Me" is produced by Shuko.
Head over to the boys MySpace page to check it out.
My BLOGGING Tardiness:
Excuse the lack of blogging of late. You can partially blame my new obsession with Twitter and the new Facebook format. Isn't funny how MySpace freaked out when Facebook launched and tried to become similar to Facebook. And now that Twitter has the edge, Facebook is copying Twitter in order to keep their social networkers attention. And round and round we go. And it is becoming a full time effort to keep up with the blog, my Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and now Twitter. Let alone all of the daily emails etc!Anyways.. you can find me over at Twitter, just search for KirkMTC and i'm sure that i will pop up somewhere.
I have also been traveling extensively for work, which makes it hard to keep up with everything, including all of the stuff that i am supposed to be on top of for work. So something had to give, and unfortunately it has been this blog. In the last 2 weeks i have been to London, Copenhagen, New York, Mexico and now back to New York. So it's been a little vicious on the travel tip.
I promise that I will be back on my best blogging behavior in the next few weeks leading up to the launch of the Smashproof album on March 23rd.
Speaking of Smashproof, we seem to have a real hit on out hands. The track moved up a couple of notches on the NZ airplay chart this week to #7 and the industry now wants us to give them our record for their NOW compilation. If that's not an indication of a hit record, i don't know what is... Woot! :/
Check for the guys to be popping up everywhere in the next few weeks as we head into promo overdrive. Tyree will be back in the country and we have appearances booked on the TV3's 6 O’Clock news, the cover of the NZ Herald, C4's Vodafone Select Live, TV1's Breakfast show and Juice TV. Shout out to Jane for setting all of this up for us.
We have almost finished mixing the edit of the next single "It's Friday" and we are shooting the subsequent video Tuesday and Wednesday next week. We will hopefully have something to show you all very very soon.
Hopefully you will all hear the album soon and we hope that we have done all of our fans proud. Look for a newly leaked track from the album right here shortly.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
SMASHPROOF - Three is the Magic Number:
"Brother" spends its third week at #1.
I'm also hearing that the track is now certified Gold.
Once again, thank you to everyone that has supported and purchased this single.
I'm also hearing that the track is now certified Gold.
Once again, thank you to everyone that has supported and purchased this single.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
KIDZ IN SPACE - "Moonwalking On A Dream":
Check out the Kidz' take on Empire Of The Sun's "Walking On A Dream" over at their myspace page
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
SMASHPROOF still #1:
"Brother" holds it down at pole position on the NZ singles chart for the second week. The track also moves into the top 10 on the NZ airplay chart. Thank you!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
YOUNG JEEZY - "Circulate" video:
Anyone that knows me or my blog knows that Young Jizzle gets coverage here like he's a kiwi! He's that dude right now. Nuff respect to Terry Richardson
Young Jeezy CIRCULATE (Full Video) from jeezy circulate on Vimeo.
Young Jeezy CIRCULATE (Full Video) from jeezy circulate on Vimeo.
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