Deceptikonz

Nominated for:
Flava Best Pacific Group
Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist
APRA Best Pacific Song
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In December 2022 the legendary Deceptikonz AKA Mareko, Savage, Frisko & Devolvo - dropped ‘One Time’. Their first track in nearly a decade is a heartfelt and moving anthem that’ll bring a tear to the eye.
 
‘One Time’ is a tribute song dedicated to those who we have lost that played a pivotal part in our lives by installing great values and teaching us manners and how to show love and respect for one another, which we feel a lot of people can relate to, says Savage, “If we could all have one more moment with them just to show how much they have impacted our lives or for us to show our gratitude I know we would all take that moment if it were possible.”
 
And for the cherry on the top - the famed south Auckland quartet also released a full length Deceptikonz album, IN PERPETUITY, and then a documentary scheduled for October 2023 release.
 
“We started the process of this album in 2020 and when the pandemic hit, well everything got locked down and so the struggles it took for us to even be able to record together was mostly done online as half of us live in Brisbane and the other half in Auckland”, Savage says of the great lengths the group has gone to, to bring this album to the light.

​The album was eventually recorded at Roundhead Studios in Auckland and features an impressive cast of who’s who in Aotearoa music, including producers Smokey Got Beatz, Dei Hamo, Sick Drums and more, alongside artists such as David Dallas, Che Fu and Tigilau Ness and SWIDT. But the most special feature, says Savage, is our kids, who feature on ‘One Time’ and also on the track ‘Carry On (Pass The Torch)’.
 
Originating from Manurewa, Deceptikonz shook up New Zealand with their unique style of hip-hop. Their debut album ELIMINATION gained them international recognition and set them on a path to dominance on the local scene with 2006’s mixtape WE BACK MOTHERF#%@ers VOL 1 in preparation for their sophomore album, HEAVY ROTATION. 2010’s EVOLUTION: PAST, PRESENT BEYOND followed and Deceptikonz played their final show as a collective on July 10, 2010 at The Studio in Karangahape Rd before they going on to continue solo endeavours.