Auckland hip-hop group gets success with social commentary
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South Auckland hip-hop group Smashproof have reached number 2 on the New Zealand singles chart with their song Brother which also features vocals from singer/songwriter Gin Wigmore. Unlike most 'top 40' songs the lyrics and music video are a biting social commentary on modern New Zealand, and South Auckland in particular. The first verse contains the lyrics
[we] allow 5-oh [police] to rape girls, to compensate them like they're the victim is so wrong and expect us working people to fund your wages for you to up hold the law
This is a likely a reference to the rape trail of three police officers that took place in 2007, two were already in prison on another rape charge (unknown to the jury) while the other, who had risen to the rank of police commissioner, was suspended -on full pay- for the duration of the trial. Later lyrics include
feels like you just let it happen man take away kids life away just because they tag
This refers to the stabbing of 'tagger' Pihema Cameron by businessman Bruce Emery last year, the video depicts a young man spay painting a fence and then being chased down the street by a middle age man, the two disappear behind a van and no stabbing is shown, yet the reference to the high profile incident is obvious.
The song also references the murder of a local store owner and the on going problem of child abuse.
Members of the band commented in a short 'making of' documentary that the song was written for South Auckland, to talk about issues that “no one talks about” and “tell South Auckland that we do have a voice, and people do care.”
