Tom Scott

Tom Scott (born 1984) is a New Zealand rapper. He is known for his role in the groups Home Brew, At Peace, and Avantdale Bowling Club. His groups are generally characterized by jazz-influenced instrumentation and political lyrics.

NPR has described Scott as "one of the biggest role players" in New Zealand hip hop; The Spinoff identifies him as "New Zealand hip-hop's finest storyteller [and] most brazen agitator".

Early life Tom Scott was born in the United Kingdom in 1984, but lived there only briefly before his family moved to New Zealand in 1987. Scott spent most of his childhood in Avondale, Auckland, a town that would become one of the inspirations for the "Avantdale Bowling Club" name.

Scott began rapping at the age of ten, initially only as a hobby. His father, jazz bassist Peter Scott, also introduced Scott to 1970s jazz, soul, and funk from a young age. and won Best Urban / Hip Hop Album at the 2012 New Zealand Music Awards. During his time with Home Brew, Scott attracted attention and controversy for his stridently political material, including frequent criticism of then-Prime Minister John Key. Scott later clarified his goals on a Facebook post, stating that his threats were not literal and that his intent was to encourage people to register to vote. Looking back on the controversy in 2018, Scott acknowledged that he had handled the situation poorly, but stated his belief that, as an artist, he had a responsibility to speak out about political issues he found important.

In 2015 Average Rap Band released their first project, the 6-track EP titled Stream of Nonsenseness. The following year, in 2016, they released their first full mixtape, El Sol. El Sol is an abstract project, using more synthesised, electronic sounds in its production, and combines themes of existentialism and self-reflection with commentary on society and the nature of humanity. Average Rap Band also released various singles over the course of 2015 and 2016.

Avantdale Bowling Club After moving to Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia, in 2013, Scott began writing lyrics to occupy his time while in the unfamiliar environment of the city. He subsequently returned to Avondale in 2017, at which point he announced the foundation of Avantdale Bowling Club and began collaborating with a large group of musicians to expand the material into a full album. The group's debut album, Avantdale Bowling Club, was released in 2018; it went on to win the Taite Music Prize in 2019, and to be named Album of the Year at the 2019 New Zealand Music Awards.

Avantdale Bowling Club released its second album, Trees, in 2022.

Solo In 2025 Scott released his first album under the name Tom Scott. ANITYA peaked at number 4 in New Zealand's album charts, including #1 on the list of Aotearoa albums. It is a finalist for the 2026 Taite Music Prize.

Musical style Massive magazine described Tom Scott's work with Home Brew as being "fun and satirical" and featuring "well-rehearsed flows"; The Spinoff has characterized his work from that era as "frank, controversial and at times even shocking". Scott's lyrics in Avantdale Bowling Club have been described as "blending working-class storytelling and New Zealand colloquialisms", Karl Puschmann of The New Zealand Herald identified a similar progression, describing Scott as "delight[ing] in being as juvenile and obnoxious as possible" with Home Brew before featuring increasingly more mature work with his succeeding projects.

Awards Tom Scott's seven appearances as a Taite Music Prize finalist, including two in 2013, is a record.

+ Tom Scott in the Taite Music Prize 2024 Home Brew Run It Back 2026 Tom Scott ANITYA

With Home Brew, Scott won 2012's New Zealand Music Award for Best Rap Album. The group had three other nominations and arrived at the ceremony with a goat on a leash. At 2019's awards Avantdale Bowling Club was named Album of the Year. and 2023 for 'Friday Night @ The Liquor Store'. Both songs are by Avantdale Bowling Club.

Personal life As of 2018, Scott was engaged.

Scott has two sons, the first of whom was born in the late 2010s. Scott has stated that he left Melbourne for Avondale because he wanted to raise his son in New Zealand.

Discography

Solo Anitya (2025)

with Home Brew

Home Brew Light (2007) Last Week (2008) Taste Test (2009) Summer Ale (2009) Home Brew (2012) Run It Back (2023)

with Max Marx Max Marx and Friedrich Calloway at Carnegie Hall (2010)

with At Peace @Peace (2012) Girl Songs (2013) @Peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony (2014)

with Average Rap Band Stream of Nonsenseness (2015) El Sol (2016)

with Avantdale Bowling Club Avantdale Bowling Club (2018) Trees (2022)