RNZ Music and The Downlow Concept release a third season of the award-winning video series NZ Hip Hop Stand Up on Monday 22 May.
In season three, we delve deeper into the rich and diverse landscape of Aotearoa's hip-hop history, exploring some of the most ground-breaking and influential tracks released over the past three decades.
This season, we begin in 1989 with "She's a Mod [Mod Rap]" by Double J & Twice the T and end in 2017 with "The Anthem" by Melodownz.
Once again, we're joined by key figures of Aotearoa's hip-hop scene, who lend their expertise and personal recollections to our exploration of these tracks.
Songs featured include the New Zealand classic "Chains" by DLT and Che Fu, the influential underground hit "Summer in the Winter" by Lost Tribe, and tracks by Nesian Mystik, Ladi6, and Fast Crew.
The series serves to highlight the impact of hip-hop on New Zealand's rich cultural and musical heritage, featuring interviews with 30 artists across its 30-year history.
Artists share their stories, experiences, and insights into the positive power of hip-hop in communities across New Zealand. Through these narratives, we gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significnce of hip-hop and how it can inspire rangatahi in Aotearoa.
Seasoned documentary director Sophie Musgrove has expertise spanning both the technical and production aspects of the industry, making her a valuable asset on set.
She considers it an honour to connect with the subjects in this series and share their stories.
"It's a great privilege to be able to sit with these people as they share some of the most important, enjoyable, and moving moments from their lives," she says.
Producer Nigel McCulloch of The Downlow Concept was consistently amazed by the stories that hip-hop artists share in NZ Hip Hop Stand Up, even after making three seasons.
"Their incredible stories reflect the diverse communities that make up our society, and it is truly inspiring to see how they use their art to stand up for what they believe in," he says.
"From cultural identity and representation, to social justice and inequality, their music serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness and empowering rangatahi."
Made with the support of NZ On Air Photo: NZ On Air
