The Kumpnee
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | INDIE
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
This album is the bomb – I laughed right out loud! It took me back to the early concept hip hop of De La Soul and Cypress Hill. Loosely based on some surreal dream, the ‘Ball’ is madcap compilation of well-crafted rhymes peppered with some delicious Bro-fonk harmonies, jazzy rhythms and phatter-than-full- cream beats. There’s some stunners like That Girl, which blatantly steals lines from Steve Miller’s Fly Like An Eagle and bounces higher than a red rubber ball on asphalt. Weaving between songs, the short dialogue sequences could’ve be lifted from Taika Waititi’s film Boy. But these three lads are no ‘eggs’. The band’s name is a reference to the Maori Battalion (‘C’ Company) – a fitting tribute to that legacy of waiata and camaraderie. And it’s clear they are having fun. The title track is upbeat and funny, whilst Liar is a blatant dig at Eminem and a cap doffed to Kingston Dancehall, simultaneously. Cookie Jar reworks the line ‘Who stole the cookie from…” and will get under your skin in the first minute. Then there’s No One Special which reworks Randy Newman’s best Disney tunes. Who’d a figured that’d work? Every time I listen I hear something new – a sure sign that this is more than another tedious hip hop album. Keeping the content fresh, they reference all their heroes but never stoop to repetitive whines, jingles or annoying misogynist gansta rap. Chur bros! - NZ Musician Magazine
Discography
'The Kumpnee Ball' album released Feb 2011
Released 14 track EP in 2008.
Songs 'Grimy Pirate' and 'That Girl' airing on Channel V and Rage.
Photos
Bio
The Kumpnee are 5 piece live band with an unpredictable blend of urban funk, soulful harmony and hip hop, combining electro synth, live instrumentation and a raw feel to split genres and form a new sound. Not your typical hip hop band.
This Sydney based New Zealand group consists of core members – Ronnie Lavender (vocals, keys), Josh Gage (Vocals) Gino Hawkins (keys, vocals), Huia Ratapu (Bass) and Stevie Taylor (Drums).
The Kumpnee bring their confidence to the stage with high-energy performances at all their shows. They draw on experience at large festivals including the Ngati Awa Te Toki 2010 Festival, NZ Hip Hop Summit, Bring it On, Roc The Blok and The Burbs along with club gigs like On the Real and Stars of Night & One Community.
With the stage presence, audience participation and lyrical flow of front men MC’s Ronnie and Josh, backed by live instruments and tight vocal arrangements, The Kumpnee always get the crowd rocking!
Their self funded debut album 'The Kumpnee Ball' was released in February '11 and is distributed through Green Distribution (MGM Australia). They are also secured a publishing deal with boutique agency Centrifuge Publishing.
Having varied background's the members of The Kumpnee found music as a way to escape and express themselves. Often the lyrics of their songs reflect their life experiences. It's this experience that draws the listener in as they are able to relate to what is being rapped / sung. What you see is what you get with The Kumpnee.
Links
