Mazbou Q and Guests (Afro Hiphop) at Neck of the Woods

Mazbou Q is bringing his exciting discography to life in Tamaki Makaurau, including his debut EP ‘AFROTERNITY’. His live band are set to deliver their trademark high energy, genre-bending performance to Neck of the Woods on Friday May 7th, alongside a lineup of some of Aotearoa’s finest afrocentric artists and DJs.

Mazbou Q is a UK-born, Aotearoa based Nigerian rapper, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer. His unique musical background of golden-age hip-hop, West African highlife and heavy metal forms the backdrop for a non-formulaic style of music. Inspired by the likes of Fela Kuti, The Roots and Oddisee, Mazbou Q is known for confronting his listeners with an unapologetic style of socio-political commentary, while engaging them in the complexities of his unique cultural identity.

Born in Gaborone, Botswana, multi-disciplinary and multilingual hip-hop artist Phodiso began learning Tswana percussion styles through community song and dance ceremonies. Since making Aotearoa his home a number of years ago, he has grown and shared his gift of language and rhythm in a variety of ways - as a vocalist in a band, writing and performing poetry, MCing for international acts and most recently with the 2020 release of his debut EP, Act I.

Mezmure is the DJ persona of the dynamic performer, lyricist and activist known as Pharaoh Swami. Born in Khartoum, Sudan Mezmure is “straight from the Garden of Eden” and came to Aotearoa as a refugee at the age of five. Having performed at many of Aotearoa’s leading music festivals and landed opening slots for international acts such as A$AP Ferg and Flying Lotus, Mezmure’s on-stage experience and captivating persona enables him to easily energise and control any dance floor.

Mahlete is an exciting new DJ in the scene who has already established a name for herself with key performances at Looped, Hit Different and with Raiza Biza at Grey Lynn Park Fest and Northern Bass.

Supported by the powerful rhythms of Pan-Afrikan percussion group ‘Black Sunday’, this line-up is set to deliver a fusion of dance-worthy afro rhythms that will leave you wanting more!