R'n'B Vocal Act Rides High On Single Success

Te 27 o nga ra o Here-turi-koka 2002

R'n'B Vocal Act Rides High On Single Success

Local R'n'B vocal act D2S will release their debut single this week (29/8) in response to strong public demand but New Zealand's answer to Boys II Men is already riding high on the song's success.

'Ride With Me' was selected for Warner's top-selling compilation - The Rhythm Vol 21 - which has sold more than 30,000 units in quick time. The song also shot to the top of MAI FM's playlist on the strength of audience requests, and has been included in the next Kiwi Hit Disc about to be released by NZ On Air.

D2S - which stands for 'Destined 2 Shyne' - are Kebrasca Ratima, Thomas Stowers, Roni Faneva and Carlos Marsh. The four-piece R'n'B crew has been in demand since forming in April, with gigs on the Powerplay 2002 tour and at Auckland's Surgery Bar and Central Studios. Their appearance on the Good Morning show led to an immediate invitation for a return visit.

Kebrasca and Thomas are the lead vocalists for D2S - Kebrasca was a finalist on the 'Show Stoppers' television programme while Thomas has been performing semi-professionally for several years with the likes of Nathan Haines and Lapi Mariner (Jamoa Jam).

Roni, aka Ron Mak, handles the group's distinctive raps and was a member of Auckland hip hoppers New Mad Breed. Carlos (aka C Traxx) has had a hand in producing and engineering tracks for Deceptikonz and the crop of newcomers from the MAI MUSIC stable.

MAI MUSIC general manager Victor Stent says the young South Aucklanders stopped in at MAI FM in May and dropped an impromptu, acapella rendition of 'Ride With Me' to himself and programme director Manu Taylor - "right there in the office!" The response was unanimous - sign them. Ron and Carlos produced the song and it was on the MAI FM playlist in less than four weeks.

Since joining MAI MUSIC, Ron and Carlos have co-written and co-produced the song, 'Gotta Know', for teen sensation Brigette McCarthy (who shares the singing duties with Ron). The talented duo also flew to Australia in late June to co-produce a song - 'Good Thing' - for Sydney-based R'n'B act Grace.

According to Victor, the band is going back into the studio soon to record their follow-up single while an album is expected to be released early next year.

"D2S has already established an extraordinary profile since signing with our label only a few months ago," Victor says. "All three tracks - 'Ride With Me', 'Gotta Know' and 'Good Thing' - are pumping on the MAI FM playlist. If they can achieve all of this in such a short space of time, then the sky is the limit."

MAI MUSIC is a division of Ngati Whatua-owned MAI MEDIA which also operates Auckland's number one radio station, MAI FM 88.6; music publishing entity MAI PUBLISHING; and the national Maori language radio service RUIA MAI.

ENDS

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