Take a look at Matthew Faiumu Salapu. He has the hip-hop look going on but has ruined it by sitting next to a grand piano. But the image is actually perfect. Matthew is musical director for Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Remix the Orchestra: Full Orchestra Meets Hip-hop.
The performance is a revolutionary blend of hip-hop and classical music, and will take place on May 31 as part of NZ Music Month.
The idea of fusing classical with hip-hop to create a new genre came in 2008 when Matthew, a South Auckland hip-hop artist who happens to be a trained pianist, was discovered by APO education manager Lee Martelli.
Together they began work on the Remix programme at the Otara Music and Arts Centre, introducing APO members to hip-hoppers. The Remix concert is an idea Matthew has dreamed of for five years during the programme. "This project fuses two of my favourite types of music, classical and hip-hop. They also happen to be two of the most diametrically opposed forms of music. It was always going to be interesting."
Matthew learned classical for more than 10 years as a child and also tried out heavy metal, rock, reggae and R'n'B. "I had a very musical upbringing. I've been playing piano since the age of 7. That was initially for my Pacific Island Church, but growing up I caught the buzz of urban music."
Now 31 and better known as Anonymouz, the respected hip-hop artist is part of The Hypnotics. Attending Auckland Grammar in Epsom and concluding his piano training in Remuera helped him to see things differently. "I've always lived in Mangere, but I've always had a very wide perspective of things and not always been so 'homey-gangster'."
His diverse musical background is key to the success of the Remix programme.
He is able to help others understand both musical genres and the concert reflects the Remix education programme. Every week 15-20 students from South Auckland are paired with classical musicians from the APO. Hip-hop artists are often brought in as mentors.
"We've had guys like David Dallas, Frisko, Tyree and Ermehn. They collaborate with the students to create tracks that feature beats they've made playing live. The composing residents mentor them from the classical side. Then all the tracks get put together and we create a compilation CD."
Every week, new compilation CDs are made and the best eight pieces by the students are selected and taken to APO conductor Kenneth Young.
He expands the students' music into a live delivery for a full-scale 70-piece orchestra, which is then performed with the student and their mentor.
"I'm not the type of musician where fame and popularity validate what I do," says Matthew. "APO Remix is one of my favourite programmes simply because it is a New Zealand first, probably a world first. It's ground-breaking stuff. It's not just about the fusion of the music; it's about the fusion of cultures.
"Classical musicians find for the first time they have freedom. The kids from South Auckland help them break the rules. The same with the hip-hop artists ... having classical people around puts more discipline in place.
"From a social point of view, it can literally change people's lives. For most of these kids classical music is as far away from their reality as possible.
"By the end of the programme they've come so far out of their comfort zone it can be transferred into other things in their life. It forces them to step outside and know they can survive."
HIP-HOP IT
WHAT Remix the Orchestra: Full Orchestra Meets Hip-hop
WHEN/WHERE May 31, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall
HOW MUCH $20 stall; $30 circle at buyticket.co.nz
WEB apo.co.nz On Facebook: APO Remix the Orchestra
What do you think? Have your say through the comment box below or head to our Facebook page.