Bio

Never one to follow, Always one to lead, the Pacific’s most influential hip-hop artist, King Kapisi returns with 'Raise Up' - the first single from his long awaited 3rd album, 'Dominant Species'.

'Raise Up' sees King Kapisi sticking true to his music, and managing to once again come back one step ahead of the game.

The new single showcases the remarkable beatmaking talents of new and upcoming NZ beatmaker 10acious, as well as being blessed with the co-writing talents of Scribe. 'Raise Up' will be accompanied by a stunning b-ball video co-directed by Sam Peacock @ Cinematic Alliance and Lawrence Blankenbyl.

So, follow the Leader, don’t sleep on it or you’ll get left behind!!!!!! Next level for you and yours, no matter who you are, no matter where you are!!!! It’s time to 'RAISE UP'!!!!

Artist King Kapisi aka Bill Urale was the first Polynesian hip-hop artist to receive the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award for Songwriter of the Year for his single 'Reverse Resistance' in 1999. Both King Kapisi's albums, 'Savage Thoughts' (released 2000) and '2nd Round Testament' (released 2003) were released in Australia with local sales hitting the gold status mark. Kapisi also achieved gold with his single 'U Can't Resist Us' featuring Che Fu in 2003.

The award winning artist was nominated for 13 awards at the 2001 New Zealand B.Net Awards and took home seven of the prizes including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Music Video. His visually striking music videos, some of which have been directed by him, have also won numerous awards including Flying Fish Music Video Awards, Mai Time TVNZ and Juice TV.

King Kapisi has performed alongside Janet Jackson, Moby, Black Eyed Peas, Beastie Boys, Michael Franti & Spearhead and the Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more. King Kapisi has performed and gigged at almost every major music festival and event in New Zealand as well as tours to Australia, Japan, Fiji, Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa and in the past two years touring extensively in Canada, Germany, Ireland, England, Norway and the USA.

In 2002, Kapisi started his own clothing label, Overstayer Clothing. In 2003 and 2004 he was awarded the Westfield Style Pasifika Designer Award giving Overstayer the opportunity to participate in the coveted 2003 L'Oreal and the 2004 Air New Zealand fashion weeks. Overstayer Clothing was the first local urban street label to be made available in Farmers Trading Stores nationwide.

In 2003, TRADENZ and NZMIC invited King Kapisi to represent New Zealand at the Central Park, NYC birthday celebrations. Promoters were impressed with his Central Park performance that he was invited to play at the first old school hip-hop reunion in Crotona Park, South Bronx. He played alongside legends such as The Furious Five, Cold Crush Brothers, Jazzy Jay and The Rocksteady Crew. Kapisi was also given the opportunity to record a track with the legendary Kay Gee from the Cold Crush Brothers. The European leg of his 2003 overseas trip saw him perform a showcase at the international music conference POPKOMM in Cologne Germany. He also spent time in Kaiserslaughter, Germany recording with Germany based American producer, Smitty K.

In 2004 , Kapisi was invited by the German government as part of it's new initiative scheme to promote cultural exchanges between New Zealand and Germany. Having supported German rap star MC Clueso in a New Zealand tour, Kapisi headed back to Germany to attend the POPKOMM music conference for a second time with Goethe-Institut playing host. Kapisi had the opportunity to record two tracks with German music producers Trickski and Slope from the Sonar Kollectiv record company. Kapisi also produced tracks for various local hip hop artists in Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin, Toronto and Sydney.

In August 2004 , Harbourfront Corporation in Toronto, Canada invited Kapisi to attend it's annual indigenous music and arts festival Planet IndigenUS. Kapisi produced a track with local indigenous rap artists Slangblossom. A second trip to Europe was made possible through a collaboration with legendary kiwi artist/composer Chris Thompson (now based in the USA) where Kapisi wrote three tracks for his latest album, 'Discovery'. Chris Thompson's album was released in Europe followed by a performance at the Bergen Blues Festival in Norway. Kapisi extended his trip from Bergen to explore markets in Holland, England and Ireland.

Band Members:
Bill Urale

Links

• Artist Website
• Amplifier Profile
• MySpace Profile