1.The Young Pioneer !
Producer/Writer/Performer/Dj ,
Tapu Sheriff is vast in his fields of music which is broad in influence.
Many genres 'has he indulged' and made impact whilst D.jayin becoming professional at the age of 17 .
The Tunnel Nightclub Jah Survival Reggae Nights was his apprentiship to Club deejayin and then the club list goes on and on . But most notably he was apart of an elite Group of D.Js who pioneered Hip Hop in Gold Coast Clubs early 90 s with D.J Joe T , D.J Red , D.J Jay Ray, D.j Micheal Andre , D.J Pee wee Ferris , who all could see Tapu was a born rapper but also a young All Round Talent .
2. Big Stars - Naughty , Peter Andre
( Tapu can dance , ask Peter Andre who noticed a then 16 yr old Tearing the floor up with a style which they now call CRUMP!)
"Im still in good shape so i show em how i down it , No one likes to challenge 7 Polys wasted minding our own buisness!"
A veteran whos well respected . The 96 Cool Naughty Pain Tour is when he learned things from Naughty which he still wont talk about.But says meeting Treach and partying being one of the boys' was the best thing any rapper couldve experienced , He smiles back on a lucky life ,somewhat.
Tapu was hand picked to rap in front of thousands with naughty minus the Treach , and won the freestyle competition ,fluke?
3. Kay Gee , Flava Unit , Rebbeca
Somehow a quite determined Tapu Sheriff hustled one Kay Gee ,into talking to the right person whilst Kay was in the gift store .
" I was shaking but, i knew it was now or never " . Tapu then waited for one Rebecca Foster and the legendary Dewerk of Flava Unit . They enjoyed his company (and freestyles ) and put him in the freestyle competition .
4 . The Champion !
Brisbane Crowd voted ,Tapu won.
Same with Mai fms 8 mile freestyle phone battles
Auckland Listners voted , Tapu Won,
Crowd booed when Butter won the final of the Townsville Channel V Aussie Friggan Hip Hop Show ,
"Thats Bull***t "One young teenager was heard yelling
5.Mantaz / Grinspoon / Mya/Samrai/ Butter
"Ive never had a Whole Town show me love like i was a something special and thats why i love Townsville "
Calling Tapu Back to Rap a Encore with Grinspoon, Cementing Tapu in Townsville folk lore when Tapu pulled off the famous tomatoe sauce freestyle then packing out crowds in Mantaz with a selection of Club Remixes\old school\ .
6.New York Connection !
The U.S Sailors of 2005 Townsville leave will remember Mantaz , cause Tapus Club was off the hook , in their own words
Tapus love for Hip Hop streaked ahead when he hooked up with a Fred Parsons ,a native N.Y who lived in Australia for 3 years . He put Tapu up on Game , and He & Tapu wore one leg up before cool j did it "
"Thats why i rap like i do , in honour of Fred , He showed me alot of things that opened my eyes , we lost contact when he went back to N.Y.C" , but he left such an impression on Tapu thats still Resonating,
He showed me Grand Daddy I U ,thats why I love Grandaddy iu" & "Big Daddy Kane" & "wRECKSNeFFECT" BACK IN 93/94
7. The Unknown Actor ?
.In 1998 Tapu was freestyling at a club called The Bourbon Bar when an unknown Actor (at the time! ) approached Tapu at the bar and shook his hand , introduced himself and told Tapu some things he wont talk about but , in essence , supporting Tapus Talent , an aquantance of some sorts really kicked off when Tapus cousin Raemana Leaf was doin stand in work at Warner Bros when Tapu was Re Introduced to this Now Prominant Actor , Many Surfing Sessions at Burleigh Heads and Partys later , the Unknown Actor finished his movie , and said his good byes ,
Tapu reached over to Raemana and said ," Hes gonna make it man , i hope i do to ,"
Raemana turned over to Tapu , True Bro , but i wouldve picked a better name than "Vin Diesel " !
Tapus says in reply , Pitch Black will be off the hook , wait and see .."
8. Music Biz Valued Referrals .
Tapus performed with Ritchie/ Eddie Lolesi/ Peter Tuitama /Wayne Nuku/ Bobby Sazdov aka Bobby Z ,Left Bridge, Grinspoon,Cher Bro, Naughty by Nature , Sneaky 1 ,DEE, Townsvillans ,Jay, Porky , Waniac , 40 thieves , Renegade Funktrain ,Trace Elements , Wicked Force Breakers , Warcry, D.J Samrai, Butter, D.J Showdown (n the day) ,Wax Master Wayne ,Micheal Sazdov, Johnny row ,Witness,Dynamic individuals like Danny Fai Fai , Kevin the man and Rapping with the Famous Tarj (Gold Coast) whilst Djayin the Essence , These notable people all respect and love Tapu for his Rapping and Showmanship as a Performer . Chur Bro /Tarj / Bobby Z/ Clay & Iron , are huge influences in Tapus love for music .
9. Maori Warrior !
Being Maori the cultural performances where always of highest value . .Which is also importantant to Tapu. And his people.
Leading the Haka'(The famous 'Kamate' of All Black Rugby) for the New Zealand Breakers in their N.B.L BasketBall Game Against Townsville Crocs New Years Eve 2004/2005 . "That was Awesome , I had alot of Practise leading up to it , and the opposition looked quite concerned " he laughed ."The crowd loved it considering i was for the Away Team ?"
10. More than a D.J .
I couldnt stay long cause i had to D.J that night , but the home team won and the club was packed , so it was cool.
Tapu generated so much income for Mantaz' they broke the New Years Eve record takings from the year before 8 separate times(increasing the record each time) in 10 months ,
11. 2 Long Serving D.Js
Something he learned from Mad Cow s D.J Red who is the longest serving employee on the Roster.
And involved with RnB SuperClub Townsville as well .
"I taught him that to entertain and retain is what a club D.Js focus should be "
Tapus mixing is entertaining the numbers , and his selection is what retains the numbers ,Its his persona what increases numbers over time ,now couple that with requests you have a Solid "In House" D.J.
12. The Young Actor
His Acting in plays began young at age 8 whilst attending Carlton Primary School (Wanganui), Hansel & Gretal , Maui and the son, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberryfinn ,and a milk commercial many new zealanders might remember where the milkbottles Rap ! He was full cream !
His interest went to music from then on...
13. Tapu the Sheriff
Producer/Performer/Writer/DJ ," Do it yourself if you have too"
Hip Hop has alot of elements , Tapu Sheriff navagates these waters like his Maori Ancestors ,
With a pride and dilegence , Skill and Power , correlating with Hidden Knowledge .
Enjoy the canvas of Someone who right now , is a Happy Man .
So i dare say , even though he is currently unsigned ,which is deemed failure to many , is that ,it doesnt apply ,
What ive come to know about this Decendent of THe Great MaorI Cheif Hone Heke ,wHO TO THIS DAY , is honoured amongst other chiefs every year with the Treaty of Waitangi,New Zealand & Abroad .
Success is be measured in many areas ,& so it should be ...
Shabana Mahalingam - The biographer of Tapu Sheriff
