RAP - HIP-HOP

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"With three albums, two EPs, an APRA screen music award, an Aotearoa Music Award and two Pacific music awards to his name, Diggy Dupé has firmly claimed his place in the Aotearoa music industry." - Mia Faiumu (AudioCulture)

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Diggy Dupé has come a long way from the teenage days of making music with his cousin ReddxRozay, using the most basic of tools that included a Motorola phone and sing star microphone. Only months ago, he was a finalist for Best Hip Hop Act at the 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (alongside Avondale Bowling Club’s Tom Scott and Church & AP), for his 2018 EP Island Time.

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Since announcing arriving on the scene with his debut EP K.O.T.I.C (Kids Of The Inner City) in 2017, Diggy Dupé has become a core member of the Auckland hip hop community. He’s in demand as a featured artist, appearing on many releases including SWIDT’s ‘Off The Top’, ChoiceVaughan’s ‘Dead Air’, Church & AP’s ‘Down In The Mud’ and many tracks by his friend and mentor Rizván.

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His live performances include Northern Bass, You Are Us/Aroha Nui and SIX60’s 2019 Western Springs with IllBaz, performed alongside SWIDT, featured on David Dallas’ Red Bull 64 Bars, and a support slot for US Rapper Wiki. A personal highlight was playing in his neighbourhood at Grey Lynn Festival after the release of his first project.

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While some of his peers represent South Auckland or the city’s Westside, for Diggy Dupé, inspiration and stories are always about being a Central Auckland Polynesian kid. Family, his Niuean heritage, gentrification and identity are recurring themes throughout his releases.