Dlt

Darryl Leigh Thomson, known as DLT, was born in Maraenui, New Zealand. Inspired by an article about rap and breakdancing at age 16, he moved to Wellington in the early 1980s and co-founded the hip-hop group Upper Hutt Posse (UHP). UHP released New Zealand's first hip-hop recording, "E Tū", in 1988. DLT left UHP in 1992 for a solo career, debuting with The True School in 1996, which featured the Number 1 single "Chains" with Che Fu. The song won Single of the Year and Best Songwriting at the 1997 New Zealand Music Awards. DLT's second album, Altruism, followed in 2000. His production work influenced reggae-flavored downbeat styles in New Zealand, and his radio and TV shows contributed to the development of hip-hop in the country.