Deceptikonz

{{Short description|New Zealand hip hop group}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Deceptikonz | image = | caption = | alias = | origin = Auckland, New Zealand | genre = Hip hop | years_active = 1996–present | label = Dawn Raid Entertainment | Notable_albums = | Notable_songs = | Related_acts = | website = | current_members = Mareko Savage Devolo Alphrisk }} The '''Deceptikonz''' are a New Zealand hip hop group formed in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa in 1996 which consists of Savage, Devolo, Alphrisk and Mareko.<ref>[http://nzmusic.org.nz/artists/hip-hop/deceptikonz/ ''Deceptikonz Bio''] nzmusic.org.nz Retrieved 2010-01-14</ref> Their debut album was ''Elimination'' released in 2002.

== History == The group's debut was on the underground album of 2001 ''Southside Story 2: International'', with the tracks "Elimination" and "Beware". At the 2001 95bFM Music Awards, the album was nominated for best hip hop album of the year, and the Deceptikonz were nominated for Best New Group despite not having officially released a single.

Band member Mareko was subsequently crowned Best MC in New Zealand after winning the National Battle for Supremacy contest.<ref>[http://back2basics.hiphopnz.com/viewtopic.php?f=130&t=46075 ''National Battle for Supremacy Winners''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711170642/http://back2basics.hiphopnz.com/viewtopic.php?f=130&t=46075 |date=July 11, 2011 }} back2basics.hiphopnz.com Retrieved 2010-01-14</ref>

The Deceptikonz debut release was initially slated as the 6-track EP ''Verbal Abuse'', but a decision was made to upgrade the EP to the full-length (13-track) album, ''Elimination''.

The production team for ''Elimination'' included DJ P-Money and John Chong-Nee of gold-selling group AKA Brown.

The first single, "Fallen Angels", featuring DJ P-Money was followed by "More Than Meets the Eye" (much like their own name, a take on the Transformers motto). "Fallen Angels" features members of the Auckland City Choir, while "More Than Meets the Eye" is more funk-oriented.

"Broken Home", a solo song by group member Savage is about his biological father and shows a raw, personal side.

Member Alphrisk released his debut solo album ''The Best Kept Secret'' in 2004. Mareko released his debut solo album ''White Sunday'' in 2003, Savage released his debut solo album ''Moonshine'' in 2005, and Devolo released his debut solo album ''Heaven & Hell'' in 2008.

==Discography== === Albums ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Details ! Peak chart positions |- ! NZ |- | 2002 | ''Elimination'' | * Label: Dawn Raid Entertainment * Catalogue: 99122 | align="center" | 4 |- | 2006 | ''Heavy Rotation'' | * Label: Dawn Raid Entertainment * Catalogue: 99773, DRECD009 | align="center" | — |- | 2010 | ''Evolution: Past, Present, Beyond'' | * Label: Dawn Raid Entertainment | align="center" | 26 |- |colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" align="center" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |- |}

===Singles===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" width="1em" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! width="3em" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" | Album |- ! NZ |- | 2001 | "Fallen Angels" feat. P-Money | align="center" | — | rowspan="4" | ''Elimination'' |- | rowspan="3" | 2002 | "More Than Meets the Eye" | align="center" | — |- | "Broken Home" | align="center" | — |- | "U Want Beef" | align="center" | — |- | 2003 | "Stop, Drop and Roll" (as Mareko feat. the Deceptikonz) | align="center" | 6 | ''White Sunday'' |- | 2004 | "Hook Up" (as the Dawn Raid All-Stars) | align="center" | 9 | Non-album single |- | 2006 | "Don't Front on Me" | align="center" | — | ''Heavy Rotation'' |- |colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" align="center" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |- |}

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:New Zealand hip-hop groups