Bio

Dam Native is a New Zealand hip hop group that was prominent during the mid to late 1990s. Its first members consisted of Danny Haimona and Bennett Pomana, now an ex-member. The group formed in 1992 under the name Native Bass and released an album at a time when the industry was virtually void of any New Zealand Hip Hop.

Dam Native focuses on Mâori issues and other political issues relating to New Zealand. The group have released one album, titled 'Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted' (sometimes shortened to 'K.D.R.U.'), which is difficult to find as of 2006. Their next album, 'Aotearoa.......Nobody Does It Better' was released in February 2008, with a re-release of 'K.D.R.U.' included as a double disc.

Hip Hop pioneers responsible for an "Urban Musical Cultural Revolution" in Aotearoa/New Zealand. With Hip Hop as the vehicle, Tangata Whenua as the driver, Dam Native single handedly were the first to bring International respect and recognition to Aotearoa/New Zealand Hip Hop music.

Through poetic skills of a higher level, songwriting genius, phat beats, underground street integrity, and a passion for HipHop culture (B.Boying, Breakdancing, Pop, Locking, Boogaloo, DJing, MCing and Graffiti Art) Dam Native immediately became the benchmark for Street Music in NZ.

Spanning nearly two decades Dam Native's involvement in the NZ music industry saw them not only support major international acts such as Public Enemy, Ice T, Spearhead, Ben Harper, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Del the Funky Homosapien, Big Day Out Tour New Zealand and Australia, Body Count and The Fugees to name a few, but also became not only the first "true/real" Hip Hop group but the first "Maori Hip Hop" group to win two NZ music awards (Tuis 1996) for best group and best male vocalist. In the same year they also won Video of the Year for the single 'Behold My Kool Style' from the groundbreaking first Dam Native Album, 'Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted' which is still regarded today as the best NZ hip hop album ever.

Band Members:
Danny Haimona
Bennet Pomana

Links

• Artist Website
• MySpace Profile