Introduction
Sanerivi "Sani" Sagala, 19/01/1975 better known by his stage name Dei Hamo, is a New Zealand hip hop artist, producer and director.
Dei Hamo, which can be translated as "The Samoan", has won various awards for his chart-topping music and his debut album First Edition, released in 2005. He lives in Mangere, 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. While in middle school, when his dad bought him his first stereo. Hamo would spend his days and nights perfecting his craft, later claiming to have written a song a day.
Having a passion for film and directing, in 2010 Dei Hamo was asked by a close friend Amy Raumati (also known as Lady Sheeq) to direct a music video for her. Dei Hamo agreed and has now been steadily directing music videos for two years. Dei Hamo also chose to direct the music videos under his real name, Sani Sagala, as he aims to write and direct movies in the near future.
Music
In 2004, Dei Hamo's debut single We Gon' Ride spent five continuous weeks at number one on New Zealand's music chart, and three months in the top 10. The track went platinum. It also reached the top 40 in Australia. 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 chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | |||
| 2005 | First Edition |
| 13 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | AUS | |||
| 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
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Dei Hamo - First Edition | New Zealand Music Awards - Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride | New Zealand Music Awards - Highest Selling New Zealand Single | Won | ||
| Chris Graham "We Gon' Ride" (Dei Hamo) | New Zealand Music Awards - Best Music VIdeo | Won | ||
| 2005 | Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride" | Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Male Artist | Nominated | |
| Dei Hamo - "We Gon' Ride" | Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Urban Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Dei Hamo - First Edition | Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Male Artist | Won | |
| Dei Hamo - "First Edition" | Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Urban Artist | Won |
Videography (as director)
Music videos directed by Sani Sagala (Dei Hamo) include:
| Year | Artist | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 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" |