Listen/purchase via Smoke CDs : http://www.smokecds.com/cd/35521

Auckland-based Definite & Bling got together in October 2003 after meeting through Batucada Sound Machine, a samba/ funk/ hip hop/ drum & bass/ groove ensemble which they're both members of (this was the time Definite joined the band).

Mutual musical interests in "old school hip hop, rock, funk, reggae, soul, jazz, dancehall, Motown, anything" resulted in a beat tape being handed over. Not long after that the track "Freestyle No.1" was jammed up, with the current single "Jump Up!" following shortly after.

They signed on with Capitalrecordings in late 2003 and performed their debut live gig at Sandwiches in Wellington in late February 2004 (but didn't tell Capitalrecordings it was their debut until afterwards!). Their first single "Jump Up!" is out now in 12" vinyl-only format with "Freestyle No.1" and "B.L.I.N.G." as extra tracks. A full-length LP is due for release later in 2004.

Definite & Bling can be found every Thursday night at their aptly-named residency "Quality Control" at Vanilla, 285 Parnell Road, Auckland.

DEFINITE:
Brent Strathdee (NZ-born and raised, of Maori and Scottish descent) is the former guitarist/vocalist of Wellington band Tetsuo (96-98) and former bassist of Auckland band DW Browne (00-02). He was raised in a musical family (typical Maori!) and teaches junior music at Marcellin College. He claims he started beat-making only about a month before hooking up with Bling…!

BLING:
Khalid Mohammed el Sharif aka Kms (born in United Arab Emirates to Palestinian parents, and raised in the UAE and NZ) is a busy man. As well as being MC Bling, he also goes under the name Saccie (pronounced satch-ee) for the Sugalicks label, and MCs for Decks-terity with DJ Junior and DJ Trist. They recently released the track "Rude Boy" which won the Mai FM demo competition. A remix by Chris Macro is on Mai's latest compilation. He's sponsored by Mooks Clothing, currently has a McJob in fashion retail and is also an aspiring actor & model.

DEFINITE & BLING : THE PHILOSOPHY
"Make music that feels good!
Keep it raw yet catchy with a strong groove.
Enjoy making it! (We believe this has a major impact on the sound)
Emphasise the groove and feel over sound quality.
Make hip hop that any one can listen to and like..."