Public Enemy’s Chuck D probably didn’t have Kiwis in mind when he proclaimed that rap music was the “Black CNN” in 1997. But rappers MCs like Scribe and Dam Native opened NZ to the world about the issues affecting the community as well as raising up Maori and Polynesian voices. The scene is stylistically, musically, and lyrically dense and diverse—influenced by trap, cloud rap, soul, and jazz. And when the world changes for better or worse, microphonists from Che Fu to Raiza Biza report back, serving up the raw and uncut, just as Chuck D prophesized. Our editors regularly update this playlist—if you hear something you like, add it to your library.