high-octane afro-roots hip hop

blending heavy grooves with conscious lyricism

FOR FANS OF…

CHANCE THE RAPPER
TOBE NWIGWE
THE ROOTS
RAKIM

MAZBOU Q

Stemming from his background in classical, heavy metal and West African Highlife, Mazbou Q's particular brand of Hiphop pushes the boundaries of the genre and captivates those with a deep appreciation for musicality. Mazbou Q takes inspiration from the likes of Fela Kuti, The Roots and Black Star as he confronts his listeners with socio-political commentary and creatively engages them in the complexities of his unique cultural identity.

Also known as ‘The Rap Scientist’, Mazbou Q’s theory-based framework for the analysis of rap flow has gained popularity in both industry and academic circles alike. As both educator and practitioner of ‘rap science', Mazbou Q continues to capture the imagination of artists, instrumentalists and music theory enthusiasts alike as he illuminates the musical complexity of Hip hop.

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LIVE VIDEOS

An electrifying Hip Hop artist whose live show defies genre expectations, Mazbou Q is a former metal frontman turned Hip hop powerhouse, his performances are marked by explosive energy, razor-sharp crowd control, and dynamic musical arrangements that breathe new life into his studio recordings.

Whether performing as a tight 2-piece (with DJ or drummer) or fronting a full 10-piece ensemble complete with horns and backing vocals, Mazbou Q adapts seamlessly to any stage. With a confident, witty stage presence and a sound that fuses Afro-roots rhythms with rock intensity, he’s lit up festivals including WOMAD, Splore, BIGSOUND, SXSW Sydney, and Soundsplash—consistently standing out as a must-see live act in the Hip Hop scene.

DEFYING GENRE EXPECTATIONS

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AFRICAN MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL, MELBOURNE 2024

LEAPS AND BOUNDS FESTIVAL, MELBOURNE 2022

LATEST PRESS

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THE FIRST HIP HOP ARTIST FROM AOTEAROA

Mazbou Q made history as the first Hip Hop artist from Aotearoa New Zealand to be featured on OnTheRadar, a global performance platform based in Brooklyn New York that has showcased major artists like Drake, Ice Spice, and Ice Cube. The milestone placed him alongside international heavyweights and marked a breakthrough moment for New Zealand Hip Hop.

MAZBOU Q GOES ‘BEYOND THE BEAT’ WITH NZ ON AIR.

With five iconic tracks, the next-gen sound of Aotearoa's music scene will reimagine and reinvent these songs through a fresh lens. Each week, watch as a hitmaker is paired with a breakout artist who flips their beloved song into a completely new genre, guided by visionary producer Mazbou Q.

This ain’t your average music show. It’s a sonic uprising that’s equal parts homage and bold artistic reinvention.

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