New Zealand rapper MELODOWNZ has shared ‘Big Deals’ featuring Diggy Dupé, the Polynesian wordsmith’s second single of the year following ‘Fine’.
While his last cutthroat collaboration, 2019’s ‘No Mercy’ saw MELODOWNZ barring out alongside Florida rap weapon Denzel Curry – on ‘Big Deals’ the MC recruits Auckland-based Niuean rapper Diggy Dupé for a dominant community celebration. Longtime friends and collaborators, MELODOWNZ and Diggy Dupé first appeared on a song together back in 2016, and since have both become leading figures in New Zealand’s hip hop landscape. With MELODOWNZ repping Avondale and Diggy claiming Grey Lynn, on ‘Big Deals’ two respective stomping grounds collide to create a hard-hitting hood anthem.
Opening with a slinky guitar melody loop, pounding drums propel ‘Big Deals’ into gritty street territory as Melo introduces his turf with a spirited holler on the snappy hook, “Auckland city born and raised, 828 with a smile on my face / big deals get done you get none, big deals get done you get none”. Diggy Dupé’s gruff tone commands on the second verse before both rappers unite on the final hook; their spirited chant an uproar for the city that raised them and the respective hustles within it. Released in tow with a music video directed by Auckland visionary Connor Pritchard, MELODOWNZ and Diggy Dupé take viewers on a tour of the streets that symbolize their identities and upbringings in the ‘Big Deals’ visual, in the company of their day one crews.
“Lately I’ve been really inspired and impressed with Polynesian rap in NZ and AUS. Seeing other polys winning is really empowering and pushes me to do the same. That’s where the energy from the song comes from, and being proud of my community and the hood that raised me,” MELODOWNZ says. “My Uso is a top salesman at a popular car dealership in Auckland, and when he seals a deal I used to say “BIG DEALS GET DONE” as a joke. I say the same thing with my manager, and to a lot of the bros still trapping and what not.
Diggy’s one of my day ones in this music shit, even before the music, I grew up with a few of his cousins, so we’ve been team since way back. Him being from Central, Arch Hill / Grey Lynn and me being from West Auckland / Avondale, I knew our verses would be the perfect contrast for the song.”
‘Big Deals’ follows MELODOWNZ recent nomination for Best New Act at the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards. About to embark on an extensive run of summer festival shows across New Zealand, ‘Big Deals’ is another taste of what MELODOWNZ has been cooking up this year as he works towards his debut album in 2021.