New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Rakaa official website) King Kapisi has released their new single called "
Crush" featuring acclaimed rap artist Rakaa Iriscience, from the group Dilated Peoples, who has recorded with artists such as Kayne West, KRS-ONE,
Aloe Blacc and Mad Lion. The video for "
Crush" can be seen online here
"King Kapisi is not only a true Ambassador for New Zealand and Polynesian Hip Hop and culture, but he is also an incredible artist that I consider to be family." said Rakaa. "Our families are now family. He sent the call and then sent the track for 'Crush', and I locked my spot down for it immediately. Magic!"
A stalwart of the NZ music scene, Kapisi has spent the past decade travelling the world representing Kiwi music on an international stage. Kapisi has performed at many festivals throughout the world including the largest Northern Hemisphere outdoor festival, Glastonbury (UK) and the largest indie music industry event in the USA, SXSW plus other venues such as the Summer series
Central Park (NYC), clubs in LA, Japan, Thailand and Germany to name a few.
He also has a weekly drive time radio show on Base FM (available via Freeview and online) and has recently embarked on a weekly Juice TV music show series Majestic Riddims, showcasing local and international reggae, dancehall, funk and rap. Kapisi is also extensively involved in basketball having worked on the recent Harlem Globetrotters tour as well as DJing for the NBL team, the Super City Rangers in West Auckland.
His forthcoming album Hip Hop Lives Here is due for release in
September 2013. It's a project that has been in the making for over four years which will include the release of a book highlighting an exhibition of street art created by local and international artists based on the music of the album as well as the release of a Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc renamed Hip Hop Noir and Sauvignon Funk in partnership with a local winery. The exhibition (and wine) will be touring with the artist as he releases his album in various cities around the world.
The new single Crush is a crossover of the rap and rock genres, which Kapisi is comfortable performing and writing in, and to be able to work with American artist Rakaa has been an incredible opportunity for Kapisi.
"It's a tough gig to achieve working with a brother like Rakaa. For him to come over here and work is pretty rare and unusual, he is big in the hip-hop world," says Kapisi. " We are stoked with the video which was a mad long collaborative project from a group of people who gave their time and skills for love, we are super appreciative of their energy that they bring to the screen."
The music video has cameo appearances from
Jerome Kaino,
Che Fu as well as the Deelicious Dance Crew, IPW Wrestlers and Kapisi' live band, The Overstayers.
King Kapisi would like to thank his supporters including Matua Wines, Red Bull, Arcade, LensFlare, Thad Lawrence,
Skull Candy Headphones, Adidas Eyewear, Kohu Road, Serato and Neff.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/therealrakaa
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH6egCUzU_M
