The MC was last in the country for a sold-out reunion tour as part of seminal Los Angeles alternative hip-hop collective Jurassic 5 earlier this year.
Part of the rap underground of the late '90s (along with Company Flow, Mos Def, and Dr Octagon), the Jurassic 5 crew brought the conscious and positive-minded rap style of the NYC's Native Tongues (De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest) movement to Los Angeles' overwhelmingly ''gangstafied'' rap scene.
Quality Control, the group's major label debut, is considered a hip-hop classic, with pointed, authoritative and lyrical raps and the deep and funky production talents of turntablists Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark.2na and his instantly recognizable baritone boom became something of an unofficial frontman for the sextet during its pinnacle years, and the MC has maintained a high-profile solo career alongside the group.
This string of New Zealand solo gigs comes in support of a recent run of extended players.
Released last December, his EP Against The Current was the first in a series of five multimedia art projects, followed by Manphibian Music (Against the Current 2) released this year. 2na will perform with his band the House of Vibe Allstars.
Support comes from Christchurch's Kamandi, and young Dunedin beat-maker Gasp.
• Auckland rock outfit the Neo-Kalashnikos are out on the road this week for their first headlining tour promoting their debut album Turn the Tables.
The band, comprising siblings Volita, Gabe and Moss Bioletti, made waves in the New Zealand independent music community last year when a review on now-defunct music website the Corner spiralled out of control and turned into a vitriolic war of words between the band, reviewers and numerous commenters on the site.
The internet trolling continued for weeks and spawned numerous response pieces and opinions from all over the New Zealand music community.
According to some commenters, death threats were even issued.
The review was of the Kalashnikovs single Gorgeous Baby, and its viral YouTube video featuring former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan, which currently has over 200,000 views.
The trio cite a mix of alternative and grunge acts as key influences, including PJ Harvey, Pixies and Nirvana.
The Southies are joining the Neo-Kalashnikos on tour and local band Sunshine Hotel will act as support.
• Pirate rock band the Scurvy Dogs celebrates its 10th anniversary with the release of a new EP at the Dunedin Musicans' Club next week.
Called Set Sail For Hell, the EP is five new tracks of the group's pirate-themed ''punk 'n' roll''.
Support comes from Invercargill's SDB, and locals Bulletproof Convertible.
Be there
• Chali 2na (Jurassic 5) with Kamandi (Christchurch) and Gasp (Dunedin), Thursday, September 18, at the University Union Hall. Pre-sales from dashtickets.co.nz and the Otago University Students Association main office. Doors at 8pm.
• The Neo-Kalashnikos and The Southies ''Diamond On Your Tongue Tour'' with Sunshine Hotel, tonight at Chick's Hotel, Port Chalmers. The Chick's Magic Bus leaves Countdown at 8.30pm and the University of Otago library at 8.35pm, and returns to town after the show. It is free to ride with your 2014 Radio Onecard or $5 without. Doors at 8.30pm, free entry.
• The Scurvy Dogs' Set Sail For Hell EP release with SDB and Bulletproof Convertible, Saturday, September 20, at the Dunedin Muscians' Club. $5 on the door from 8pm.
