biography
Kolab are a hip-hop group hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. Their sound could best be described as liquid Hip-Hop; A conscious jazz inspired sound, with a twist of funk.
The group’s musical influences include the likes of De La Soul, Common, A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, The Pharcyde, and Outkast.
The members of the group are J Brown, aka James Brown (producer/turntablist), Scottie B, aka Scott Bibby (producer/vocals) and MC Speak Easy, aka TomEverett (Vocals).
LIVE SHOWS & RELEASES
Kolab formed in mid 2004. Since then they have had a number of regular and one-off gigs some of which have been:
- 2005 – Air New Zealand Fashion Week (Official After Party) – 4:20
- 2005 – Rhythm & Vines New Years Festival – Gisborne
- 2006 – 95 Bfm Live to Air (New Zealand Music Month) – 95 Bfm
- 2006 – Kolab EP Release Party – Rakinos
- 2006 – Live performance for DC Shoes & Catalytic Attack (Sneakerology) – Catalytic Attack
- 2006 – Opensouls @ Galatos with support from Kolab
- 2006 – 2006 BNet Awards after party
- 2007 – 95Bfm Summer Series – Albert Park, Auckland City
- 2007 – Beach Road Hotel – Bondi, Sydney Australia
- 2007 - First Floor - Melbourne Australia
- 2007 – Miss Libertines - Melbourne Australia
- 2007 – Noise Bar - Melbourne Australia
- 2007 – TY @ Galatos with support from Kolab
- 2007 – DNBBQ – Kings Arms
- 2007 – Kolab ‘Almost But Not Really Tour’ Auckland Show – Rakinos
- 2007 – Kolab ‘Almost But Not Really Tour’ Gisborne Show – Soho
- 2007 – Kolab ‘Almost But Not Really Tour’ Wellington Show – Mighty Mighty
- 2007 – Kolab ‘Almost But Not Really Tour’ South Island Show – PHAT 08 New Years
- 2008 – Kolab ‘WHAT COMES NEXT Album Release Tour’ Auckland Show – Zen
- 2008 – Kolab ‘WHAT COMES NEXT Album Release Tour’ Gisborne Show – Soho
- 2008 – Kolab ‘WHAT COMES NEXT Album Release Tour’ Wellington Show – San Fran Bath House
- 2008 – Kolab ‘WHAT COMES NEXT Album Release Tour’ Dunedin Show – Back Stage
- 2008 – Kolab ‘WHAT COMES NEXT Album Release Tour’ Chirstchurch Show – Double Happy
- 2008 – Kolab ‘WHAT COMES NEXT Album Release Tour’ Wanaka Show – Mint Bar
- 2008 – Kolab ‘WHAT COMES NEXT Album Release Tour’ Queenstown Show – Subculture
- 2008/09 - High life new years gig at Matakana
- 2009 - Big Day Out Auckland
- 2009 - Kolab and Budspells at Beach Rd Hotel Bondi
- 2009 - Support Lyrics Born in Brisbane at The Step Inn
- 2009 - Mint bar Wanaka
- 2009 - Subculture Queenstown
- 2009 - Easter Harvest Gisborne
- 2009 - Operation Double Black
- 2009 - Soho Gisborne
- 2009 - The Provedore Napier
- 2009 - First Floor Melbourne
As well as a constant stream of live shows, Kolab have achieved the number one spot on 95 Bfm’s Safari Lounge Top 10. Their track ‘So Deep’ held onto the number one spot for five weeks, while staying in the Top 10 for over two months. Their release with Bfm, ‘Inner Beat’, achieved number three on the Top 10 and number seven on the New Zealand Alternative Charts. Kolab have released a total of six tracks on 95 Bfm over the last two years, with five of the six achieving a Top 10 ranking.
Other releases include ‘So Deep’ on REMIX magazine’s Chill Out 06 Compilation, Kolab’s EP ‘The Things To Come EP’ and the debut album from the trio ‘WHAT COMES NEXT’.
The release of WHAT COMES NEXT has seen the trio get picked up by iTunes in the USA and featured on the US iStore’s front page under ‘WHAT’S HOT’ and the ‘NEW RELEASES’ sections. This is a notable achievement by the group, as only a select few Kiwi bands have ever done this.
Kolab have also provided Sony Computer Entertainment with their track ‘So Deep’ as part of a PlayStation 3 educational video released with REMIX in Dec 2007.
The band has released three music videos to date, for their tracks ‘Inner Beat’ and ‘Sideways', and 'Soul to Shine' which have gained exposure on a number of significant music television channels.
Make sure to check back here for updates...
