Upper Hutt Posse

Four piece live band.

Upper Hutt Posse burst into our musical consciousness in 1988 with their debut single ‘E Tū’. It was the first original rap song to be recorded and released in Aotearoa. A commanding statement striking out against racism and injustice. Revolutionary and bold in its message, paying homage to Māori warrior chiefs who fought against European colonialism; Hone Heke, Kawiti, Tītokowaru, Te Kooti, Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata, setting the tone for many Upper Hutt Posse songs to come.

UHP originally formed as a four-piece reggae group in 1985—Dean Hapeta (aka D Word), Matthew Hapeta (aka MC Wiya), Aaron Thompson (aka BlueDreddIKnight) and Darryl Thomson (aka DLT). Adding to the mix a drum machine and turntable, vocalists Bennett Pomana (aka MC Beware), Teremoana Rapley, and Steve Rameka (aka Acid Dread). This foundation lineup combined singing, rapping and reggae toasting over live and programmed instrumentation, making them unlike any other group in the country—or world—at the time.

After releasing their debut album Against The Flow in 1989, they performed off-shore, firstly in Sydney, then Detroit as guests of the Nation of Islam, before returning home to open for Public Enemy in 1990. The group faced challenges from mainstream media, but remained committed to equality for tangata whenua in Aotearoa, and raising awareness of other struggles around the world through their music.

At the end of 1992 the group changed the vibe completely when they released the uptempo reggae song Ragga Girl—which quickly became a fan favourite. The following year they performed at the First Polynesian Music Festival in Rarotonga.

Retooled as a live band in 1994 with core members; Earl Robertson, Kiki Marama and Taki Matete, alongside D Word and MC Wiya, they released the album, Movement In Demand, through their own label Kia Kaha, with strong political messages and educational content about Māori leaders. Emma Paki sang on three songs and Maaka McGregor (aka Maaka Phat) performed with the group on a national tour.

In 1998 the music-video for Tangata Whenua was the first Upper Hutt Posse song entirely in te reo Māori, which signalled increased usage of the native language. The 2000 album Mā Te Wā— brought in Katarina Kawana and Te Kupu’s daughter Ātaahua—their 2005 album Legacy and 2010 album Tohe all heavily feature Te Reo Maori content. The remix project Te Reo Māori Remixes reconstructed 10 Upper Hutt Posse tracks and won the ‘Best Mana Māori Album’ award at the 2003 New Zealand Music Awards.

In 2011 Upper Hutt Posse released their 7th album Declaration of Resistance, which included among others Des Mallon, Kevin Rangihuna (aka Kevy Kev), and Jeff Henderson, with Te Kupu and MC Wiya. Once again pushing their sound to evolve and solidifying their legacy as one of the country’s most thought-provoking and enduring groups.

For over thirty years Upper Hutt Posse have been creating powerful and inspirational music to challenge the status quo giving voice to progressive radicalism and the fight for social justice in Aotearoa and around the world.