Ordinary LIfe Smashproof via YouTube

It's Friday Smashproof via YouTube

Brother Smashproof feat. Gin via YouTube

Ride 'Til I Die feat. Smashproof (4m 00s) 8.7mb

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Forming like a Hip Hop Voltron, Smashproof comprise of the smooth Tyree, the street-smart Young Sid, and lovable Deach. They have arisen from the notoriously rugged streets of South Auckland, New Zealand to take on the world with their distinct brand of hip hop melding grimy street raps with a polished club sound.

Recognised and heralded in local hip hop circles as a force to be reckoned with, each member of Smashproof boasts a prolific and credible history in the New Zealand scene. Street level fame came courtesy of a slew of mix tape releases and guest features, the trio along with their label then strategically chose to show-case individual members talents first, releasing critically acclaimed full-length albums from lead members Tyree (Now Or Never) who won Best Male Artist at the Australasian Urban Music Awards 2007, and Young Sid (The Truth) whose album was nominated for 'Best Urban Release' at 2008's NZ Music Awards, and earned him the prestigious Waiata Maori award for 'Best Urban Album'. Smashproof have created a catalogue of tracks to cater to all within the hip hop spectrum and initiating cult followings throughout Australasia… And all this came before the colossal record breaking success of Smashproof ‘s collective debut album release in New Zealand titled The Weekend.

A long revered tradition in hip hop music worldwide, the conceptual nature of The Weekend is almost cinematic, as the trio weave in and out of complex topics, personal experiences and would-be scenarios with ease. Young Sid explains the album’s concept: “This is an album for everyone, it shows the social and emotional side of what could, would, or does go on during the weekend, from the time you clock out on Friday to the time you start work on Monday, rolling through the streets of South Aucks.”

“The Weekend is slick, powerful and thumping, like Destiny's Child meets the Roots.” Scott Kara, NZ Herald

“The Weekend is a modern day classic. Get it on Friday, listen to it Saturday and Sunday, and by Monday you’ll realise it’s one of the best weekends you ever had.” DJ Sir-Vere, Back2Bascis Magazine

Being seasoned veterans of both the tour and festival circuit in NZ and Australia, the trio offer a confidence, swagger and slickness of rhyme unparalleled within the group environment locally. They opened for Jay-Z on the Australian leg of his world tour and have been touring relentlessly since May 2009.

The debut single from Smashproof, 'Brother' broke the 23 year old record for the most consecutive weeks on the NZ singles chart at #1 by a New Zealand artist, going Double Platinum. The album, which is Gold in NZ, also boasts two other top 20 singles.

“The title of the song [Brother] is a metaphor for South Auckland and all the bullsh*t that’s been happening in the area” Young Sid reveals “[and] Our approach to a song like this is to open up the minds of those that live in a below average socio economic standard, and to tell them that crime and violence is not your only option.”

With the album mixed half in France and half in NYC by hiphop luminary Cochise and featuring production from NZ, Australia, France, Germany and the US The Weekend has a true global sound. Beats come courtesy of German hip hop heavyweight Shuko, New York’s Cochise, the French team FBI, Move The Crowd’s own Juse and Australians Stylas Fuego, Khaled and rising stars Twice as Nice who have recently lent their skills to Yung Joc, Jyshoun, Masspike and Qwote from the US.

The release of The Weekend is also preceded by Speed of Sound, a mixtape taking listeners on an aural history of Smashproof’s past compiled exclusively for Germany. Solidifying the fact that Smashproof are will be the soundtrack for many of your weekends to come. Believe the hype.