(Dirty/FMR)

To be blunt, I have no time for New Zealand Hip Hop. Despite Scribe wowing thousands of people at Big Day Out, supporting Jurassic 5 and all the rest of it, I still think his album is trash, his lyricism soft and his accent completely ridiculous. One thing I have never been able to complain about is the production, which unsurprisingly is not the work of Scribe, but of famed NZ Hip Hop producer and DJ P-Money or Pocket Money as Kris from Grinspoon calls him.

2004 saw P-Money take the gong for Producer of the Year at the NZ Music awards as well as extensive touring with Scribe promoting the crusader, but if this single is anything to go by, 2005 will be exclusively all about P-Money. His ‘Magic City’ LP through FMR which went Platinum in 4 days in New Zealand and his performances around the country for Big Day Out were amongst the most raved about. His single 321, has luckily for me, landed in my lap. His production is and always has been ridiculously good, reminiscent of big band production like Just Blaze with the soul of 9th Wonder. 321 is a big bass, crip walking club anthem that features one of the greatest rappers in modern hip hop, Skillz.

Formerly Mad Skillz, Skillz released his debut album ‘From Where’ in 1995 and has since been regarded as one of the most talented in the game. Originally signed to Rawkus he worked with Timbaland, Missy Elliot and the Neptunes, now he spends his time ghost writing lyrics for Will Smith’s latest project, constantly referring to himself as ‘Your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper’ and still showing us what all the hype was about almost ten years ago. It’s not rocket science, powderfinger or advanced chemistry but it’s a dope party track with some sick rhyming displays and the ability to make you move.  

The remix is a little less advanced in the rhymes category, it also serves as the Radio Edit which has been tactfully mixed to include local hip hoppers Con Psy & PNC. This is where we get a taste of Major Label syndrome – throw in some natives to improve local record sales, so as not to exclude the portion of the market that thinks Skillz is some form of dishwashing detergent. Disappointing, but predictable when your record is being produced indirectly by Rupert Murdoch.

Overall a great party track that no doubt you’ll be hearing on Video Hitz and your local club. With Grandmaster Roc Raida (X-Excutioners), Capone (Capone’n’Noreaga) and Skillz, I plan on checking the album too.