Nesian Mystik know they are unique. Photo / Supplied
The room lights up when Nesian Mystik walk in - the positive energy that radiates from the group of mates, who also happen to be one of New Zealand's top hip-hop bands, is something to behold.
Their new album, Elevator Musiq, is doing damage on the charts, so
they have good reason to be pleased with themselves, but you get the sense the smiles are a permanent fixture for these Auckland lads - new album or not.
"We look happy because we really are having a great time," says lead singer Awa Reeder.
The six members of Nesian Mystik have been playing music together since they were teenagers at high school but their connection goes well beyond that.
"A lot of people go through music together - we go through life together," explains Reeder. "It comes from the way we were brought up; to look after your family."
It's the band's desire to reflect their diverse cultural backgrounds in everything they do that make them stand out, and it's why they describe their latest album as their "line in the sand".
"It's a defining time for us; we know we're unique. There's a lot of hip-hop out there, but there's only one place you can find Maori and Pacific Islanders doing it," says Reeder.
As the band's DJ, Heath Manakau (aka Notiq) explains, it's all about "keeping it real".
"We're not rich or anything. We still have to have other jobs to pay the bills. We can still write about real stuff because we're in touch with real stuff," he says.
"That doesn't mean other artists aren't," adds Reeder. "When they talk about bling, good on them because they have a $50,000 watch. But until we've got that we can't talk about it."
And, while Cristal champagne and fancy cars may not be part of the Nesian lifestyle right now, Reeder says the sky is the limit: "We are just going to keep enjoying life because it's short - so let's go for gold."
* Elevator Musiq is out now.
