Media Release - November 2007

“UPPER HUTT POSSE SALUTES ACTIVISM IN NEW MUSIC VIDEO”

Video: HOLD I TRUE
Artist: UPPER HUTT POSSE

Responding to the recent Government attacks on Maori, Environmental and Anti-War Activists, pioneering rap group Upper Hutt Posse salute activism with the music video for Hold I True, a poignant and timely song from their latest album Legacy.

A tribute to the struggle against state terror and capitalism written by Te Kupu who features as lead vocalist alongside Emma Paki, it incorporates footage from parts 3 & 4 of his six part rapumentary Ngatahi-Know The Links. Superimposed over the many faces and places visited including Tahiti, Canada, USA, Mexico, South Africa and Tanzania, he makes clear his respect for those who refuse and resist, from Seattle to Palestine ‘chant it, sing it, throw them stones, protestors resistors it’s going out to you, yes, protestors resistors my people hold it true’.

Well known for their strong criticism of Government policy towards Maori and other un-privileged sections of society UHP are deeply opposed to the recent arrests of vanguard ‘movers and shakers’. Asking who will be next? Writers? Journalists? Poets? Musicians? Or perhaps merely anyone questioning the Government?

‘In aligning itself with US foreign policy and it’s deceitful war on supposed ‘terrorists’ this country’s political structure is party to the slaughter of thousands in Iraq and Afghanistan for oil and world domination’ says Te Kupu, ‘These arrests of key thinkers and activists is mimicking US internal policy which has taken similar action against Arab-Americans, it’s a race war, a religious war, using fear of ‘terrorism’ as justification for further state repression.

Shot, produced, directed and edited by Te Kupu he says that these arrests can have a negative affect on locally produced political music which is already marginalized by radio, television and funding bodies, ‘Now’s the time to closely evaluate NZOA’s music video selection process which is entirely at the behest of tv programmers who may be overly concerned with keeping advertisers pleased, as opposed to screening contentious topical videos. When activists are imprisoned there’s an obvious threat also to activist and socially progressive musicians in the music industry.

Hold I True is the 17th music video clip from UHP, who’ve just returned from gigs in Australia alongside Aboriginal and activist rappers, protesting the ongoing attacks of Indigenous communities in the Northern Territories by the government there.

View Hold I True online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6myCReZjiYE