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Ranui, West Auckland; it's not very big, it's not very well known outside of Auckland, but there's something about Ranui that you never find anywhere else - It houses some of the most diverse nationalities, cultures and races of people anywhere in New Zealand, in such a confined area, so naturally Ranui breeds some of the most diverse talents as well - Namely R'Ma and Factor aka 4th Element.
4th Element really broke on to the national scene with 'Shake The Place' featured on the Mai Music release: 'Raise The Level' spear-headed by DLT.
After limited success with that track, and a wide range of community ventures including making songs for the Ranui Action Plan in their home community and many free events around West Auckland. They've since played two Aotearoa hip-hop Summits, a Big Day Out, and toured the North Island. Played spot dates in Christchurch, and Hastings, and have recorded with Korean Hiphoppers Daemang Productions as well.
The duos debut single 'Simple Hello' from their critically acclaimed album 'Raw Nu Inventions' received play on commercial radio right around the country, as did it's follow-up 'The Culture' featuring: Optymus Rime of Kritical Methods.
As the title to their debut album - 'Raw Nu Inventions' - explains, the album is a mish-mash of the broad spectrum of sounds and styles the duo possess. The direction here is every direction. 4th Element ar enot to be pigeonholed into any sub-genre, or any group of any kind. R'Ma and Factor are representing the purest form of hip-hop - self expression.
From the firery 'The Culture' and 'Communicate Via' to the spiritual 'Take A Moment' and the infectious lyricism of 'Mic Methods', 'Raw Nu Inventions' has something for everyone. And guest production from DL Jones and Juice Rosado - acclaimed producer for Public Enemy ('It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back' and 'Fear Of A Black Planet') as well as guest vocals on 'When Elements Combine' from Queens, New York bred KURSE, you know the album offers something no one else has done before. Something Raw. a Nu Invention of sorts.
With several videos in rotation and tracks on playlist at local and international radio, and a B-Net Best hip-hop Release of 2004 nomination for their album 'Raw Nu Inventions', expect big things in the future for 4th Element.
Band Members:
Paul 'Factor' Wells (writer, composer)
Richard 'R'Ma' Mane (writer)
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