Bio

The first person to ever scratch on a locally produced record, DLT is a founding member for New Zealand's first ever Hip-Hop group, Upper Hutt Posse. DLT also founded Dam Native (previously known as Native Base).

Darryl was brought up in Maraenui in Napier, where "you went to sleep to the sound of women being beaten". It was from there that Darryl managed to get to Wellington where he learnt some important lessons. Since then he has devoted a great deal of his life trying to improve the situation of Maori youth.

DLT was inspired by an article about Rap and Breakdancing in the Life magazine when he was only 16 years of age. Previously known as Slick, DLT established himself in the Wellington region as a grafitti artist in 1983.

DLT hosted Trueschool TV on Max TV in 1996 with DJ Sir-Vere - they were later poached for MTV's Wreckognise show, which gave them nationwide coverage.

DLT also released 'Chains', which kick-started Che Fu's solo career. This song entered the Charts at #1, spent five weeks in the top spot and the 'True School' album received rave reviews. In 1997 'Chains' received the Best Single award at the NZ Music Awards.

Band Members:
Darryl Thompson