Dam Native

Dam Native is a New Zealand hip hop group formed in 1992.

History

Dam Native is a New Zealand hip hop group that was prominent during the mid- to late-1990s. Its first members consisted of Danny Haimona and Bennett Pomana, now an ex-member. The group formed in 1992 under the name Native Bass and released an album at a time when the industry was virtually void of any New Zealand hip hop.

Dam Native focuses on Māori issues and other political issues relating to New Zealand. The group have released two albums, Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted (sometimes shortened to K.D.R.U.) released in 1997 and Aotearoa... Nobody Does It Better" released in 2010.

Dam Native are hip hop pioneers responsible for an "Urban Musical Cultural Revolution" in Aotearoa/New Zealand. With hip hop as the vehicle and tangata whenua as the driver, Dam Native single-handedly were the first to bring international respect and recognition to Aotearoa/New Zealand hip hop music. Through poetic skills of a higher level, songwriting genius, phat beats, underground street integrity, and a passion for hip hop culture, Dam Native immediately became the benchmark for street music in New Zealand.