US rapper shown on video at gang party

An American rap star was shown partying with Black Power members and posing for photographs in a home movie played in court yesterday.

The performer known as Kurupt was centre of attention at a Black Power party held at the headquarters of the gang's Sindi Chapter in East Tamaki.

The video was played at the High Court trial of Abraham Wharewaka snr, 62, his 24-year-old partner Rania Niazi, his son Abraham Wharewaka jnr, 38, and his brother Timothy Wharewaka, 52.

The Crown alleges Wharewaka snr is the president of the Sindi Chapter and his male co-accused hold senior positions in the gang.

The chapter is alleged to have obtained material benefits from the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine, the cultivation and sale of cannabis and receiving stolen goods.

The home video, made in 2002, was seized during a police operation codenamed Soprano.

It shows Kurupt standing with Wharewaka snr and Wharewaka jnr, who is holding a pistol in the fashion of an American rap gangster. The trio hold their position for a few moments to pose for photographs.

The alleged gang members also present the rapper with Black Power memorabilia, including what appears to be a metal badge.

Two cameras were used to film the party and captured footage of senior gang members, including national president Mark "Bo" Pitman, and their associates drinking, playing pool and listening to loud rap.

It is impossible to hear any of the conversations over the music.

The pad's walls are adorned with Black Power regalia, including carvings and wall-hangings, and there is a makeshift bar set up in the room.

The footage includes a line-up of motorbikes parked outside the pad and a Cadillac with the number plate BP4EVR.

But the cameras' attention is mainly trained on the gang's American guest, who has achieved moderate fame in the rap music industry.

A website biography says Kurupt rose to momentary fame working alongside established artists Dr Dre and Snoop, and was a member of the rap group Tha Dogg Pound.

He is signed to Death Row Records but his solo albums, Kuruption! and Tha Streetz Is a Mutha did not have a significant commercial impact.

In the Black Power movie, Kurupt is seen freestyle rapping with Wharewaka jnr's son and then performing for the entire party from a makeshift stage. Wharewaka snr is shown lighting what appears to be a marijuana cigarette and passing it to Kurupt, who takes a puff and passes it back.

CHARGES

Abraham Joseph Wharewaka snr, Abraham Joseph Wharewaka jnr, Timothy Jake Wharewaka and Rania Niazi face the following charges:

* Manufacture of methamphetamine (Wharewaka snr, Wharewaka jnr and Niazi).

* Supply of methamphetamine (Wharewaka snr and Niazi).

* Supply of cannabis in Otahuhu and elsewhere in South Auckland (Wharewaka snr and Niazi).

* Sale of cannabis (Wharewaka snr, Wharewaka snr, Timothy Wharewaka and Niazi).

* Possession of cannabis (Wharewaka snr and Niazi).

* Three charges of receiving stolen property (Wharewaka snr).

* Cultivating cannabis (Wharewaka snr).

* Possession of a precursor substance used in the manufacture of methamphetamine (Wharewaka snr, Wharewaka jnr and Niazi).

* Possession of equipment used to make methamphetamine (Wharewaka snr, Wharewaka jnr and Niazi).

* Possession of 9mm ammunition (Wharewaka snr, Wharewaka jnr and Niazi).

* Possession of a Browning 9mm semi-automatic pistol (Wharewaka snr, Wharewaka jnr and Niazi).

* Participation in an organised criminal group, namely the Sindi Chapter of the Black Power Gang (all four accused).