King Kapisi
| King Kapisi | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Bill Urale |
| Born | 1974 (age 42–43) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Origin | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Genres | Rap, reggae, roots, soul, funk |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, DJ, producer, clothing designer, screenprinter, music video director, television presenter |
| Instruments | Vocals, turntables, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels |
Festival Mushroom Records Quabax Wax |
| Associated acts | Che Fu, Teremoana Rapley |
| Website | kingkapisi |
Bill Urale (born 1974), known by his stage name King Kapisi, is a New Zealand hip hop recording artist. He was the first hip hop artist in New Zealand to receive the prestigious Silver Scroll Award at the APRA Awards for Songwriter of the Year for his single Reverse Resistance in 1999, which followed on the popular release of his debut single Sub-Cranium Feeling. Kapisi is of Samoan origin, with his stage name being the Samoan word for 'cabbage'.
He was signed up as an artist with Festival Mushroom Records (NZ). In 2000 he released his critically acclaimed debut album Savage Thoughts, followed by a second album, 2nd Round Testament, released in New Zealand and Australia in 2003. Local sales for both albums hit the gold status mark. King Kapisi also achieved gold with his single U Can't Resist Us, featuring New Zealand hip hop icon Che Fu in 2003.
King Kapisi has performed alongside Afrika Bambaata, Janet Jackson, Moby, The Black Eyed Peas, Beastie Boys, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more. He has performed at almost every major music festival and event in New Zealand as well as tours to Australia, Japan, Fiji, Hawaii, Tonga, New York City, London, Toronto, Germany, Ireland, France and Norway.
In 2003, King Kapisi represented New Zealand at the Central Park, New York City birthday celebrations where he was also invited to play at the first old school hip hop reunion in Crotona Park, South Bronx. He played alongside legends such as The Furious Five, Cold Crush Brothers, Jazzy Jay and The Rocksteady Crew. King Kapisi was also given the opportunity to record a track with the legendary Kay Gee from the Cold Crush Brothers. The European leg of his 2003 overseas trip saw him perform a showcase at the international music conference POPKOMM in Cologne, Germany. He also spent time in Kaiserslautern, Germany recording with Germany-based American producer, Smitty K.
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