Soundtrack to Your Studies - 2003

This was the year that local dub reggae broke big , reflected by the acts who performed at the ‘Orientation Blowout’ held in the Quad - The Black Seeds and Fat Freddy’s Drop (though they were also joined by funk/soul band, One Million Dollars). Live sets by the Freddy’s boys were already legendary within Wellington, but this was the year that the whole country began to cotton on to their sound through the single ‘Hope’ which was filmed at the Splore Festival the previous year.

For those who liked their reggae in a more classic mode, the long-running ska band The Managers played at Shadows. Students were also offered cheap entry to the Two Tribes dance party that took place at the St James, which was headlined by legendary DJ Armin Van Buuren.

This was the year that New Zealand hip hop truly became mainstream. The Deceptikonz played in the uni quad with Mareko and Savage already showing the skills that would make them standout MCs on the scene.

However the most remarkable breakthrough song was ‘Stand Up’ by Scribe, which became the biggest selling single of the year (even outselling overseas acts). Soon afterward the remix of the b-side ‘Not Many’ would make Scribe a household name in Australia too.

The highest selling album of the year was also by a local act - Beautiful Collision by Bic Runga. 

What was on your turntable while you were on campus? Suggest songs to add to our 2000s playlist, and you could win $100 Flying Out voucher.