Sprigga Mek

How did your journey with music start?

Music for me started at home. My dad had a band back in the day and my late mom was a gifted songwriter so I was exposed to music at an early age. I started "trying" to sing but I realized that was not meant to be so I found it easier to twist and bend words to make them rhyme.

What was the trigger point that made you decide to get into music?

The announcement is part of the Bands strategy to battle copyright issues where most of their music and videos are being shared online by other users who also gain financially from it.

The band announced this during the launching of their new song ‘Soro’ featuring local acts in Archie Tazie, Sprigga Mek and Stagajah.

In a media conference today, Wame Blood front man, Jonny Yawari, announced the bands new social media channels on Facebook, Youtube, Spotify.

He said the new digital channels aim to tackle the issue of copyright.

For artists who think of reaching audiences beyond the Pacific Ocean, it’s about seizing the perfect opportunity. 
And few of such opportunities arise through platforms like the Coke Studio.  
Coke Studio is an international music franchise which features live studio-recorded music performances by established and emerging artists.
Trend Media, in partnership with Coca-Cola, introduced this into PNG last year. 
In its second year now, the platform and artists are growing together. 

A few artists are challenging this, describing it as an overreaction by the authority.

Hip-hop artist Sprigga Mek and dAdiigii sat with Loop PNG to share their views.

While condemning the acts of violence perpetrated by Wild Pack’s lead singer JT, on fellow musician Ragga Siai, the two seasoned musicians said the response by the Censorship Board was too harsh.

“They should have let the law take its course. But going to the extent of banning them on airwaves and now the clubs also banning them, it’s going a bit too far,” said Sprigga Mek.

The PNG All-Stars consist of local artists who raise funds for the PNG Children’s Foundation (PNGCF).

The artists will perform at a charity concert scheduled on Saturday, August 5 at the Lamana Gold Club where all proceeds from presold tickets and gate sales will go to the PNGCF.

Organiser Jacquie Simons confirmed that all proceeds will help build a new classroom for the school.

The artists that visited the learning centre were O-FouR, Sprigga Mek, Moses Tau, Mereani Masani and two members of the Planet Native's Band.

His latest song Hatwok Mahn released two months ago stresses on this.

The song’s hook goes:

Hatwok mahn no sa pleiplei

Maski luswik i makim kamap pei dei

Hatwok meri no sa waitim

Mahn lo givim ol mani ol sa mekim

Speaking about his music, Sprigga said he hopes to spread positive message with it.

Hatwok Mahn, he says is about the normal hustle and grind from when you wake up to when the sun goes down.

“It’s about the honest hustle,” he said.

Names mentioned are Hip hop’s Sprigga Mek, Mal Maninga Kuri, Bata Rods, Tarvin Toune and upcoming artists from the local singing competition – Vocal Fusion, in the likes of Isaiah Manao, Junior Elizah and McSteve Polly.

The tour begins in Port Moresby, with the first performance at the Cosmopolitan Club on May 26.

Songs Meri Murumbu by Junior Elizah and McSteve Polly, Hatwok Mahn by Sprigga Mek and She Beautiful by Bata Rods and McSteve Polly will officially be launched then.

Next is the POM Metal Fest coming in May 6, a night dedicated to heavy metal music.

Yes! Heavy metal fans in the country are making a statement.

2017 is the year of metal!

This is only the beginning, but it did not quite start here.

This is a movement of a culture that goes back to the 80s, where it all began and only now is connecting all individuals together. 

Loop PNG entertainment spoke to Carmel Pilotti, a member of PNG’s steadily growing underground Heavy Metal movement.

Working on final rehearsals now, the group of  at least 10 artists from PNG and West Papua aim to put up a spectacular performance for the audience.

 “Everything is sounding awesome with the use of traditional and modern instrumentation. It's a real fusion of the old and new. Mystic chants, native dialect rapping including Dubstep intertwined with lights and visuals as well. It's sounding and looking really good. Can't wait for this Friday. It's going to be a real audio and visual extravaganza,” said rapper SpriggaMek, who is part of the collaboration.

Sprigga Mek is part of the collaboration Rebel Musik to perform in an exclusive show at Asia TOPA’s XO state on February 24.

It will be his first appearance in this prestigious Melbourne festival, being his fourth international gig to date.

His other gigs were in Brisbane, Bangkok and Vanuatu.

Coming from the underground Hip Hop movement in PNG, Sprigga says this opportunity means a lot in terms of Hip Hop.

He will be departing next week along with the rest of the team made up of artists from PNG and West Papua.