Why is this considered underground, while American ear trash is this nation’s soundtrack? We’re so busy looking for an escape in a world that we aren’t a part of, that we neglect what is unique here at home.

Diggy Dupe’s new album That’s Me, That’s Team is different. It’s a celebration of what it is to be us, offering stories that are relatable and relevant to our life down here in Aotearoa, our melting pot of diverse cultures and heritage.

Diggy Dupe is speaking his truth. He’s showing us what it’s like for people like him in a country like ours. With that comes a vulnerability. It’s hard to have a voice in a world that divides, otherises, and pushes down individuals. Hard to show your soul, or your family in a world that is set on ripping you apart.

But this guy shows he has nothing to prove to anyone. The lyrics have an authenticity of someone speaking from the heart. From experience. From what they see. A realness. They’re the same things we would see if we’d stop hiding behind our phones. Our truths.

There is no flashing of heavy bling, fast cars, subservient women, or MTV Cribs level wealth the rest of the world associates with Hip-Hop culture. We’re about talent and community around here. We’re not awarded expensive trinkets in exchange for success down here in the ass-end of the Pacific. We work, gamble, or deal for our high-end consumer goods down here.

We don’t have the economy to sell our souls for international fame and fortune, even though the producers he’s worked with have help create an album with an international marketability. Sadly, we’re living in a world where culture is worth less than lamb exports, so our music holds less value on an international market. Where new shoes are worth more than sharing with those around us.

Don’t let capitalism get your down, Stephen. It might not buy you all the kicks you desire yet, but your music holds a greater value, and what you’re doing, being true to yourself, and your community, and your family and sharing your world view is worth more than money. Keep going.

Five stars out of five.

You can find That’s Me, That’s Team on Spotify, or see it live during Diggy Dupe’s October tour dates.

• 1
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• 2
  Coridian
• 3
  Take Hold
• 4
  Skinny Hobos
• 5
  Shihad
• 6
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• 7
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• 8
  L.A.B.
• 9
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• 10
  Blindspott

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• 6
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• 7
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• 10
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