Native Tongues 22 September

Kicking off the show this week, is Tāmaki Makaurau based MC, Lester who has been releasing music independently for the past five years. The budding rapper was 1/5 of neo-soul collective Round Buddah. Lester has collaborated with psych-hip-hop group Keith, Molly & the Chromatics and rap collective, Boombox Eulogy.

His first debut solo project ‘Blunt Tape’ was released in 2016 with underground beat-maker, Camo. The two have collaborated on many projects since, including his three most recently released singles centred around stream of consciousness, day-to-day and the mundane. His track ‘Scene’ was picked up by acclaimed label/channel Majestic Casual and featured on their ‘Music to Feel Better To’ playlist. The up-and-coming MC/rapper, has new collaborative projects and single releases lined up for the Summer of 2020.

From the smoky notes of neo-soul singer Aunty Rae to the nostalgic narrative provided by Lester, ‘Sometimes’ is sure to leave you homesick even in the comforts of your own home. The spellbinding guitar lines and crunchy synths are made seamless by the hands of producer nahsafe, perfectly accompanying the singer/rapper duo who navigate the idea of belonging and a sense of self.

Lester’s version of home highlights both the mundane “…the toaster that’s broken and only burns one side”, as well as a spiritual connection through music, “singing songs in a place with a symphony is something like a feeling of acceptance universally”. In a time of uncertainty and significant societal change, ‘Sometimes‘ is a tribute to “home” as both a physical space and an internal place of comfort and sense of belonging.

‘Sometimes‘ is the lead single off Lester’s forthcoming EP, due for release at the end of 2020.

Central Auckland Rapper LNGSLV dropped ‘Tan Gee ft. Snowman and MiRa’ in May this year. He’s collaborated with many other local Hip Hop artists and producers such as Rizván, Ranuimarz, Eddy P, Soko Lapez and most recently bKIDD for their latest track ‘WUSSDAT?!‘ which has a Base HQ live video coming out soon.

Dubbed as the ‘2pac of West AUKZ’, Ranuimarz is another Hip Hop wordsmith on the rise.  Check out his stunning video for ‘A New Beginning’.

Stefan Ozich came into the studio this week and we had chat to him about his new music, what he’s been up to since being back on home soil as well as reminiscing about live gigs pre-covid era. We get to hear his brand new single ‘Assert‘ from his forthcoming album ‘Daily Noise’ as well as an exclusive listen to another track off the album (which is unreleased) titled ‘Sequenced’.

‘It’s an Ode To My Self Reflection. It’s been so long since I’ve released any music so I’m so happy and anxious to share this next phase of the journey.

This project has taken me many many hours of listening, changing, writing, experiencing, waiting, writing more, losing project stems, spending hours recording one verse, scratching my head on the concept, rewriting lyrics, changing my whole approach to making music.. the list goes on and on.

All I ask, only if you want, is to listen to the album beginning to end, ideally multiple times, then interpreting it. Every word is there for a reason, every sound is there to create atmosphere, every song is to direct my message more and hopefully make my concept more digestible.

Peace and love social media world, remember to look upwards and across the room, not downwards at this black mirror.‘

The Settlers release ‘Moody’ produced by Tia Drumma, their fourth single this year. Off the back of playing live at Electric Avenue in February this year, The Settlers have consistently been releasing new music – ‘Swimming’, ‘Plastic‘, ‘Love‘, and now ‘Moody’ – which are all part of their next project to be released soon. This series of work was recorded at Loho Studio, Christchurch, Mixed by Adam Hogan, and Mastered by Ben Tones. Adam, from Loho also filmed the video for Moody at their studio in Ferrymead, Christchurch. The Settlers will be performing live for the first time since Electric Avenue on the 26th of September at Wunderbar, alongside Big Sima & 10A.

The Settlers – Anthony Horan and Elias Tyro (MC’s), Laura Hunter (vocals), and Mike Thorpe  (DJ) are a thriving hip hop crew reigning from Lyttleton Harbour in Christchurch. They share experiences relatable to everyday life and their conscious expression of rap, soulful vocals, & engaging live performances, deliver an uplifting & exciting contribution to the current wave of New Zealand hip-hop.

Launched in late 2011, Native Tongues is a 1 hour show dedicated to uncovering the freshest in underground music from Aotearoa. From bedroom producers who are just starting out through to artists with multiple releases on international labels, Native Tongues showcases the true sound of the underground.

Native Tongues highlights new music & new artists to the show each week, focusing more on emcees, beat makers, producers & electronic music.