Dei Hamo

Sanerivi "Sani" Sagala (born 24 August 1974), better known by his stage name Dei Hamo, is a New Zealand rapper, producer and director.

Dei Hamo, which can be translated as "The Samoan", has won various awards for his chart-topping music and his first album First Edition, released in 2005. He lives in Māngere, Auckland.

Background Dei Hamo's musical career spans more than 15 years. He was part of the Proud hip hop tour and has worked with some of New Zealand's top musicians and performers, including Boh Runga, Tha Feelstyle and DJ Sammy B. He has supported a number of international acts including The Black Eyed Peas and Busta Rhymes.

Dei Hamo went to Aorere College, Papatoetoe in the late 1980s where he was first exposed to the hip hop genre. Hamo spent his days and nights perfecting his craft, later claiming to have written a song a day. Later singles have included "This Is My Life" and "Cry again", the latter containing lyrics from Split Enz's song "I Hope I Never" performed by Tim Finn.

Discography

Albums Year Title Details Peak chartpositions NZ 2005 First Edition Released: 31 March 2005 Label: Hiruys Catalogue: 9825885 13 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles Year Title Peak chart positions Album NZ 2004 "We Gon' Ride" 1 31 First Edition 2005 "To Tha Floor" 5 — "This Is My Life" 38 — Cry Again (featuring Tim Finn) — — 2008 "Let's Fly" — — Non-album single 2009 "Lyka Teen" — — Non-album single 2010 "Hold U Down" — — Non-album single 2011 "Mama Say" (Candice Rhind & Dei Hamo) — — Non-album single "Right Here" — — Non-album single "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards

Dei Hamo - First Edition New Zealand Music Awards - Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride New Zealand Music Awards - Highest Selling New Zealand Single Chris Graham "We Gon' Ride" (Dei Hamo) New Zealand Music Awards - Best Music Video

Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride" Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Male Artist

Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride" Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Urban Artist

Dei Hamo - First Edition Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Male Artist

Dei Hamo - First Edition Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Urban Artist Videography (as director) Music videos directed by Sani Sagala (Dei Hamo) include: Year Artist Song2010 Amy Raumati "Becos of Love" Devolo featuring. Erakah and Dei Hamo "Lost Love" 2011 Pieter T "Forever"/"Fix That" DJ Sirvere featuring JR K One Mareko and J. Williams "Major Flavors" Tyree "I Want It All" 2012 "Ahorangi" featuring Young Sid "Pounamu" Amy Raumati featuring Ayla "The Calling" PROVOKAL "The Recipe Freestyle" XY featuring Dei Hamo "Wait Until Tonight" Big Ka$h "Cloze Off" Deach featuring Pieter T "Be With You" 2013 Queen Shirl'e featuring D Love "I Got You" Jae'O "Find You" Stunna Ain't No Thang MC AJ featuring Cookie "Make You Mine" Drew featuring Tyree "Tonight" Deach "Be With You" Remix Pieter T starring Frankie Adams "Right Here" Villains "Volatile" Villains "Volatile" Yuck Mix Deach featuring Pieter T "Tell No Lie" Smashproof "Forever" Pieter T "Rumours" Abbie Over You Smashproof L.A.B 2014 Tyree featuring Jae'O "I'm Ready"