Breaks N’ Brass – A Star-Studded R’n’B Hip Hop Live Spectacular

Breaks N’ Brass – Old School Beats, Nu School Brass – All 90’s Hip Hop & R’n’B Classics

MC’d by the legend that is Slave (Fat Freddy’s Drop, LOGG CABIN), Breaks N’ Brass features some of Aotearoa’s most revered and renowned artists – including Ché-Fu, Ria Hall, Tali, King Kapisi, Rubi Du and DJ Manchoo.

Backed by a 16-piece brass band and a five-piece rhythm section, the A-list cast of musicians will put their own unique twist on covers of the biggest Hip Hop and R’n’B bangers of the 90s. This will be a full immersion concert experience guaranteed to transport the crowd back to the decade when this music was taking over the world!

With each of the artists on the bill having blazed their own paths in the local and international music scenes, Breaks N’ Brass presents them with the chance to pay tribute to their musical influences and share versions of classic tunes like you’ve never heard them before.

‘Shoop’ to the beats of 90’s nostalgia, as ‘People Everyday’ get down to the ‘No Diggity’ revival.

A night packed with old school beats, nu school brass and timeless grooves, Breaks N’ Brass is the live experience that you cannot miss this winter.

Tickets on sale from 8.00am, Monday May 17 from Auckland Live.

FLAVA PRESENTS: BREAKS N’ BRASS 2021

Town Hall, Auckland – Saturday August 7, 2021
R18+
Hosted by MC Slave and starring Ché-Fu, King Kapisi, Ria Hall, Rubi Du, Tali
Featuring DJ Manchoo, The Breaking Brass Orchestra, Freshmans Dance Crew
Tickets on sale Monday May 17 at 8.00am HERE
www.breaksnbrass.com

Meet the line-up:

MC Slave

A man of many parts, Mark James Williams aka MC Slave/ aka Uncle Mark aka Logg Cabin has touched on, and triumphed in, most areas of the media during a career that has spanned the best part of three decades. Mark first emerged in the public eye of Aotearoa as the Slavish half of proto hip hop duo MC OJ & Rhythm Slave.

With a slew of releases on the Southside label and pioneering shows up and down the country, they developed into Joint Force in combination with long time compadre DLT. Ready and able to MC at a moment’s notice and never far from a mic, Slave found his eventual ideal musical home with Wellington troubadours Fat Freddy’s Drop, carving out a position as their much celebrated hype man/tour MC since 2006. As well as providing the live lyrical fire and crowd incentivising for FFD, Mark has also warmed the stage up for them all over the world as a DJ / Selector. Most weekends you’ll find Slave raising the roof and stirring the dancefloor around Auckland or beyond, or hosting his iconic radio show, The Loggcabin.

Ché-Fu

With the most top 10 songs of any individual in New Zealand music history, Ché-Fu is one of the country’s most successful and beloved recording artists. Originally coming to the attention of Aotearoa in the early 90’s as one of the original members of iconic Kiwi rock band Supergroove, Ché-Fu went on to forge a career as a solo-artist writing and recording hip hop/soul chart topping songs such as ‘Chains’ and ‘Misty Frequencies’, and platinum selling albums such as 2B S. PACIfiC and THE NAVIGATOR. Ché continues to perform on the NZ and Australasian circuit with his band the Kratez, and as an MC, and a DJ.

King Kapisi

A stalwart of the NZ music scene, King Kapisi has spent the past 15 years travelling the world representing Kiwi music on an international stage. He has performed at festivals throughout the world including the largest Northern Hemisphere outdoor festival, Glastonbury (U.K) and the largest indie music industry event in the USA, SXSW (Austin, TX). Kapisi has won many awards including APRA Songwriter of the Year (1999) for ‘Reverse Resistance’.

Ria Hall

Ria Hall is a trailblazing artist whose debut album, 2017’s RULES OF ENGAGEMENT earned her the 2018 APRA Maioha Award for Songwriting, and Best Female Solo Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards. Her second album, 2020’s MANAWA WERA received critical acclaim and saw her pick up Te Tohu Manu Tioriori Wāhine Autaia (Best Māori Female Solo Artist Award) at the Waiata Māori Music Awards, and was a finalist for the coveted Taite Music Prize 2021.

Rubi Du

Well known Auckland reggae artist Rubi Du has been making waves in music here in New Zealand and overseas, and most recently on a successful tour with NZ’s kings of dub, Fat Freddy’s Drop. Formerly known as SilvaMC, Rubi has solidified herself as the Queen of New Zealand’s roots and dancehall scene and continues to blow audience minds as a vocalist and emcee with electrifying live performances. Her Caribbean heritage and Rastafarian childhood have helped to shape her unique and unforgettable style, while staying true to her Kiwi roots.

Tali

Tali is an award-winning singer-songwriter and highly sought-after for her experience as one of the most prolific Female MC/Vocalists to emerge from the International Electronic Dance music scene – particularly for her work and ground-breaking achievements within Drum and Bass. Tali has worked with some of the biggest names in Drum and Bass and toured the world several times over as both an MC and with a live band.

She’s released seven studio albums, won three Drum and Bass awards, a NZ Music Award for her latest LP LOVE & MIGRATION, had a UK top 40 hit and is one of handful of female artists to ever grace the cover of DJ Mag International. Tali‘s soulful uplifting voice, and spitfire lyrics, and mix of contemporary and classic Drum and Bass tracks is always a crowd pleaser.

DJ Manchoo

DJ Manchoo is one of the most prolific and recognised DJs in Aotearoa. The DJ, turntablist, mixer, scratcher and beat juggler has a long list of accolades to his name including two times ITF New Zealand DJ Champion, DMC New Zealand Champion and NZ Red Bull 3style runner-up. DJ Manchoo is also a long-standing and well respected radio personality and DJ and will definitely bring the noise to Breaks N’ Brass with his incredible skills.

The Breaking Brass Orchestra

The Breaking Brass Orchestra is fronted by four phenomenal singers – Iri Aumatangi, Bella Kalolo, Ella Monnery and Syah Folau. The Breaking Brass Orchestra also features the phatest rhythm section in Aotearoa (Jacob Nansen – keys, Ross Nansen – drums, Isaac Etimani – bass, Jess Hicks – percussion); backing a dynamic, knockout 16-piece horn section, led by award-winning musical director, guitarist Dixon Nacey. Performing brand new arrangements of Hip Hop and R’n’B 90’s club bangers, the Breaking Brass Orchestra will blow your mind and blow you away!

Freshmans Dance Crew

Freshmans Dance Crew are a group of dancers and choreographers who are pushing to create a new vibe in the Street Dance scene in New Zealand. From competitions to theatre, Freshmans explore uncharted territories in the Street Dance industry and continue to impress the world with their incredible movement. In 2014 they captured multiple national titles and represented New Zealand at the HHI World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas.