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.Deceptikonz Bio nzmusic.org.nz Retrieved 2010-01-14 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.National Battle for Supremacy Winners back2basics.hiphopnz.com Retrieved 2010-01-14
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
Year Title Details Peak chartpositions NZ 2002 Elimination Label: Dawn Raid Entertainment Catalogue: 99122 4 2006 Heavy Rotation Label: Dawn Raid Entertainment Catalogue: 99773, DRECD009 — 2010 Evolution: Past, Present, Beyond Label: Dawn Raid Entertainment Catalogue: DRCD018 262022In Perpetuity Label: Savage Entertainment— "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Album NZ 2001 "Fallen Angels"feat. P-Money — Elimination 2002 "More Than Meets the Eye" — "Broken Home" — "U Want Beef" — 2003 "Stop, Drop and Roll"(as Mareko feat. the Deceptikonz) 6 White Sunday 2004 "Hook Up"(as the Dawn Raid All-Stars) 9 Non-album single 2006 "Don't Front on Me" — Heavy Rotation2015"Blood in Blood Out"feat. David Dallas—Non-album single2022"One Time"15In Perpetuity"Verbal Abuse 2.0"feat. R.E.S. & SWIDT— "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
References