BONUS: 2021 FINAL THOUGHTS
Technically speaking, I’m on holiday, which has been very relaxing. That said, a few things have happened over the last two weeks and it would be remiss to not share them before the year ends. This week’s photographs were taken on my smartphone. More film photos in 2022.
WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING:
Every year, I contribute to the beehype website’s Best Of list and in this regard 2021 has been no different. This time, contributors from close to eighty countries selected their favourite local album of the year + five additional recommendations. Read on here.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” explains Wellington-born Samoan rapper, street dancer, and graffiti artist Kosmo Faalogo, known over the years as Frosty K, K.O.S 163, Kosmo, and most colloquially, Kos. Throughout the 80s, 90s and 2000s, he left an indelible mark on hip hop across Aotearoa, thanks to his role in a series of seminal groups: Noise and Effect, The Mau, Rough Opinion and Footsouljahs, as well as numerous ancillary duties. I profiled Kos for Audio Culture. You can read the full story here.
UTR's 2021 Favourite Music Moments: As per festive season tradition, we've invited contributors and friends of the site this year to share five of their personal favourite and most notable memories from the past twelve months, plus a few red hot takes thrown in the mix for extra spice. Congratulations to everyone for powering through — a huge thank you to all the artists, event organisers, contributors, readers and everyone who supported UTR over the past twelve months. Check five of my picks here.
The Test Pressing 2021 Round Up: Welcome to the Test Pressing 2021 round up. What we have here are some choice favourite tracks from friends and family that hopefully make you get out and listen to some things you might not have heard over the last year. Interestingly, and I guess its just a sign of the times, the same tracks rarely appear twice but I guess that just shows how much amazingly diverse and wonderful music there is out there. Check my selections here.
You can’t talk about hip hop in Dunedin without discussing Shannon Dirks, aka DJ Shan, one of the founders of Radio One 91FM’s The Real Bro Hip-Hop Show, the storied Thursday hip hop nights at Bath Street nightclub, and one third of the S.A.S. DJ crew with Sir-Vere and Ali. I profiled Shan and the early Dunedin scene for Audio Culture here.
Dazed: This podcast explores the vibrant roots of New Zealand’s hip hop scene - In Aotearoa Hip Hop, DJ Sir-Vere talks to some of the genre’s most iconic figures and unsung heroes, exploring how music helped Māori and Pasifika kids push back against racism. Thanks to Thom Waite from Dazed for interviewing me about the Aotearoa Hip Hop podcast here.
That’s all folks!
FIN.