- Dei Hamo
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Dei Hamo Birth name Sanerivi Sagala Also known as Hamo Origin Auckland, New Zealand Genres hip hop Years active 2003–present Labels Aviator Music Associated acts Chong Nee, PNC, Pieter T Sanerivi Sagala better known by his stage name Dei Hamo is a New Zealand Hip hop artist and rapper.
Dei Hamo, which can be translated as 'The Samoan'[1] has won various awards for his chart topping music and debut album First Edition, released in 2005.[2] He lives in Papatoetoe, Auckland.
Contents
Awards
In 2006, Dei Hamo won two awards at the Pacific Music Awards in New Zealand, for his album First Edition. The awards were Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Urban Artist. Dei Hamo had been up against hip hop heavyweights Savage and King Kapisi in both categories.[3]
In 2005, Dei Hamo's single We Gon' Ride picked up two New Zealand Music Awards for Highest Selling Single of the Year and Best Music Video. The music video was directed by filmmaker Chris Graham, who also directed some of Scribe's music videos. Graham is also the director of feature film Sione's Wedding which also featured the Dei Hamo/MJ Chong Nee track Whateva.[4]
Background
Dei Hamo's musical career spans more than 15-years. He was part of the legendary Proud hip hop tour and has worked with some of New Zealand's top musicians and performers, including Boh Runga, Tha Feelstyle and DJ Sammy B. He has supported international acts including The Black Eyed Peas and Busta Rhymes.[5]
He went to Aorere College, Papatoetoe in the late 1980s where he was first exposed to the hip hop genre.Hamo claims to have written a song a day since then, although many disrespect him because of this being obviously untrue. Although not a well liked fact by fans of Dei Hamo, he is known for cashing in on publicity while it is available to him. Dei Hamo attended all Big Day Out concerts in New Zealand and Australia, this was a little strange as most artists would only do their nations shows. He is also well known for doing free shows whenever the chance may arise.
Music
In 2004, his debut single We Gon' Ride spent five continuous weeks at number one on New Zealand's music chart, and 3 months in the top 10. The infectious bass-heavy track went platinum. It also reached the top 40 in Australia.[6]
Later singles have included This Is My Life and Cry again, the latter containing lyrics from Split Enz's song I Hope I Never performed by Tim Finn.
Dei Hamo is credited in American mainstream rapper Bizarre's "thank you's" in his solo album Hannicap Circus under "Dei Hamo (New Zealand)".
Discography
Dei Hamo discography Releases ↙Studio albums 1 ↙Singles 5 ↙Music videos 3 ↙Soundtracks 1 ↙Featured singles 1 Albums
Album Title New Zealand Chart Australian Chart First Edition (2005) 13 - Singles
Song Title New Zealand Chart Australian Chart We Gon' Ride 1 31 To Tha Floor 5 - This Is My Life 38 - References
- ^ Barry, Rebecca (5 March 2005). "Cruising with Dei Hamo". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10113741. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- ^ http://www.eventpolynesia.com/events/tonga/NZ3_page_pacificmusicawards06.htm
- ^ http://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/event.php
- ^ http://google.com/search?q=cache:CfSz9A0-pqUJ:thecia.com.au/reviews/s/images/sione-s-wedding-production-notes.rtf+Dei+Hamo+awards&cd=95&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz
- ^ http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/1475.html
- ^ http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/dei-hamo/artist
- ^ Album performance @ Australian-charts.com
- ^ Chart Stats @ Australian-charts.com
External links
- NZ Herald interview 2005
- Watch We Gon' Ride music video, NZ On Screen website
- Photo & article Eventpolynesia
See also
Categories:- New Zealand rappers
- New Zealand people of Samoan descent
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