I caught up with Tihei Harawira on the PTG Code radio show on Rep FM where we both were guests. He had a CD he was selling for $10, so I asked him If I could have one to review. I'd seen Tihei a couple weeks before at a Cypher evening at Ironbar on Karangahape Road and heard his freestyling. That night on the PTG Code radio show hosted by rapper Pakkz Tha General he freestyled for over half an hour. Tihei who is the son of ex Mana party leader Honi Harawira has a love for freestyle that is insatiable. He will ask for a subject then incorporate the subject into his freestyles. The guy can go for ever. In fact you may have to pay him to stop. You might catch Tihei in Auckland City or at the Otara markets busking and selling his CD titled For The fans.

I checked out this 6 track EP, which has an old school feel to it. It reminded me of golden era Hip-Hop like LL Cool J, Eric B and Rakem and Tribe Called Quest. The tracks Thinking Of A Plan and Interlude have a Jazz infused loungey feel reminiscent of Tribe Called Quest. Track number 2 titled Southside is more modern sounding however and is a little more hard edged than the rest of the EP and for me was the stand out track. The song Love had a really nice hook on it too.

You wont find any tech raps, tongue twisters or multi packed rhyming on this release. Tihei's raps are simplistic but he uses what he has to full effect and his flows are on point. Tihei raps in an American accent which is always a point of contention with critics. Although he does make a lot of references about New Zealand and where he's from. His guest MC's Lil Steve, Odee1 and Lacroix however rap in their own accents which kind of makes Tihei's use of an American accent stand out more.

Tihei's subject matter is about keeping it real. His love for South Auckland and its area codes. His achievements of opening for Afrika Bambata, studying at MAINZ, and his haters and fans. The production of the EP is on point and the bottom end has a nice punch to it. The Beats compliments of Selecta Kram are skilfully crafted and really make this EP what it is. The 6 songs go together nicely and over all this was a good listen. I left it in my car stereo for the day and listened to it several times in a row.

Tihei is a likeable character, humble and down to earth and he works very hard at his craft. His rapping and freestyling abilities are undeniable and I'd have to say he's one of the best freestyle MC's I've ever heard. So If you see Tihei busking and you get an opportunity to pick up 'For the fans' then do it because it's definitely worth the $10.

Check out the music video for Thinking Of A Plan from For The Fans by Tihei.

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  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

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• 1
  APT.
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• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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