Sanerivi "Sani" Sagala (born 24 August 1974), better known by his stage name Dei Hamo, is a New Zealand rapper,[1] producer and director.

Dei Hamo
Birth nameSanerivi Sagala
Also known asHamo, Sani Sagala
OriginAuckland, New Zealand
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • director
Years active2003-present
LabelsAviator Music

Dei Hamo, which can be translated as "The Samoan",[2] has won various awards for his chart-topping music and his first album First Edition, released in 2005.[3] He lives in Māngere, Auckland.

Background

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Dei Hamo's musical career spans more than 15 years. He was part of the Proud hip hop tour and has worked with some of New Zealand's top musicians and performers, including Boh Runga, Tha Feelstyle and DJ Sammy B. He has supported a number of international acts including The Black Eyed Peas and Busta Rhymes.[4]

Dei Hamo went to Aorere College, Papatoetoe in the late 1980s where he was first exposed to the hip hop genre. Hamo spent his days and nights perfecting his craft, later claiming to have written a song a day.[4]

Having a passion for film and directing, in 2010 he was asked by a close friend Amy Raumati (also known as Lady Sheeq) to direct a music video for her. Dei Hamo agreed and has since directed music videos for other artists.[citation needed] He directs the music videos under his real name, Sani Sagala, as he aims to write and direct movies in the near future.[when?]

Music

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In 2004, Dei Hamo's first single "We Gon' Ride" spent five consecutive weeks at number one on New Zealand's music chart, and three months in the top 10. The track went platinum. It also reached the top 40 in Australia.[5] Later singles have included "This Is My Life" and "Cry again", the latter containing lyrics from Split Enz's song "I Hope I Never" performed by Tim Finn.

Discography

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Dei Hamo discography
Studio albums1
Soundtrack albums1
Singles5
Music videos3
Featured singles1

Albums

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Year Title Details Peak chart
positions
NZ[6]
2005 First Edition
  • Released: 31 March 2005
  • Label: Hiruys
  • Catalogue: 9825885
13
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

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Year Title Peak chart positions Album
NZ[6] AUS[7]
2004 "We Gon' Ride" 1 31 First Edition
2005 "To Tha Floor" 5
"This Is My Life" 38
Cry Again (featuring Tim Finn)
2008 "Let's Fly" Non-album single
2009 "Lyka Teen" Non-album single
2010 "Hold U Down" Non-album single
2011 "Mama Say" (Candice Rhind & Dei Hamo) Non-album single
"Right Here" Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2005 Dei Hamo - First Edition New Zealand Music Awards - Breakthrough Artist of the Year Nominated [8]
Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride New Zealand Music Awards - Highest Selling New Zealand Single Won
Chris Graham "We Gon' Ride" (Dei Hamo) New Zealand Music Awards - Best Music Video Won
2005 Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride" Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Male Artist Nominated [9]
Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride" Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Urban Artist Nominated
2006 Dei Hamo - First Edition Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Male Artist Won [10]
Dei Hamo - First Edition Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Urban Artist Won

Videography (as director)

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Music videos directed by Sani Sagala (Dei Hamo) include:

Year Artist Song
2010 Amy Raumati "Becos of Love"
Devolo featuring. Erakah and Dei Hamo "Lost Love"
2011 Pieter T "Forever"/"Fix That"
DJ Sirvere featuring JR K One Mareko and J. Williams "Major Flavors"
Tyree "I Want It All"
2012 "Ahorangi" featuring Young Sid "Pounamu"
Amy Raumati featuring Ayla "The Calling"
PROVOKAL "The Recipe Freestyle"
XY featuring Dei Hamo "Wait Until Tonight"
Big Ka$h "Cloze Off"
Deach featuring Pieter T "Be With You"
2013 Queen Shirl'e featuring D Love "I Got You"
Jae'O "Find You"
Stunna Ain't No Thang
MC AJ featuring Cookie "Make You Mine"
Drew featuring Tyree "Tonight"
Deach "Be With You" Remix
Pieter T starring Frankie Adams "Right Here"
Villains "Volatile"
Villains "Volatile" Yuck Mix
Deach featuring Pieter T "Tell No Lie"
Smashproof "Forever"
Pieter T "Rumours"
Abbie Over You
Smashproof L.A.B
2014 Tyree featuring Jae'O "I'm Ready"

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Winning night for Dei Hamo", Manakua Courier (Auckland), 16 May 2006] (subscription required)
  2. ^ Barry, Rebecca (5 March 2005). "Cruising with Dei Hamo". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  3. ^ ""Tonga Events @ Eventpolynesia.com"". Archived from the original on 2008-07-27. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  4. ^ a b "Bio:Dei Hamo". Music.Net.NZ. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  5. ^ "NZ on Screen".
  6. ^ a b "DEI HAMO IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  7. ^ "DEI HAMO IN AUSTRALIAN CHARTS". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 28 November 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  8. ^ "2005 Winners". NZ Music Awards. Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  9. ^ "2005 Pacific Music Awards". Pacific Music Awards. Pacific Music Awards. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  10. ^ "2006 Pacific Music Awards". Pacific Music Awards. Pacific Music Awards. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
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