Inspired by Che Fu and DLT’s 1996 hit ‘Chains’, ‘Broken Chains’, is the trio’s first new music since 2014’s Forever.
The song, which features Che Fu, is a protest song about the challenges New Zealanders – in particular Māori and South Pacific Island communities – face in the modern world.
“This song is about generational chains that need to be broken and addressed,” says TY, one of the three members of Smashproof.
“What better way to reach our people than with a true Pacific pioneer like Che? As well as being one of the great New Zealand singers, Che Fu and DLT were some of the first Pacific Island artists to talk about real issues in their music, and they paved the way for many of us.”
It's not the first time Che Fu has worked with TY – he co-wrote ‘Survivors’ for TY’s 2013 album Motivation, and like TY is of Niuean heritage.
‘Broken Chains’ is part of a collection of songs the group wrote over numerous sessions in 2019. They got together as part of the 10-year celebrations of their number one single ‘Brother’, writing and recording a range of songs, which they decided to release.
“It was great to get back in the studio and write together,” Smashproof member Deach says, “We have grown up and moved on down different life paths, but we still have the chemistry to write awesome songs together as a group.”
‘Broken Chains’ is mastered by Angus McNaughton, who co-wrote the number one single ‘Chains’ with DLT and Che Fu.
Smashproof was formed by Sid Diamond, Tyree, and Deach in 2007. The hip hop trio are best known for the song ‘Brother’, which spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one on the New Zealand charts in 2009.
The group’s debut album The Weekend came out in 2009 and Smashproof went on to have three consecutive top 20 singles on the New Zealand singles Chart.
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Photo: Supplied
