Urban Pacifika Records is a sub-genre of hip hop which combines American style hip hop or R&B rhyming and beats with Pacific Island or Māori instrumentation (such as ukulele samples) and Pacific Island or Māori language singing/rapping.
It originated in Auckland, New Zealand in around 1993 with the release of the album Urban Pacifika Records - Pioneers of a Pacifikan Frontier on an Auckland based record label started by Phillip Fuemana called Urban Pasifika Records. This record label is widely credited with creating the genre.Urban Pacifika Records was the first record label owned by a pacific islander and was created to produce and release NZ pacific music to a wider audience. Phillip Fuemana's influence on NZ music was significant, he started a music movement that continues today, he worked and produced over 40 albums and singles and directed a number ofmusic videos. He was also influential in the development of Dawn Raid entertainmentthe most successful independent NZ record label ever.
Phillip was also the driving force behind NZ's biggest selling single "How Bizzare" with the band OMC. Phil started OMC as an outlet for his instrumentals but passed it on to his younger brother Pauly Fuemana who fronted the band. OMC went on the to sell over 3 million albums.
Urban Pacifika Records continues today under Tony Fuemana who has produced over 10 Albums and directed 8 documentaries and 1 feature movie.
Main artists active in this sub-genre include: