Award-winning New Zealand hip-hop artist Sid Diamond, formally known as Young Sid, has carved out a place as one of New Zealand's best Hip-Hop artists.
Born and raised in Otara, South Auckland, Sidney Diamond has carved out a place as one of New Zealand's best-known Hip-Hop artists. Formally known as Young Sid, Sid Diamond first broke out in the New Zealand music scene as a member of the award winning Hip-Hop trio, Smashproof.
Smashproof's debut album, ‘The Weekend’, featured the No. 1 hit song 'Brother', which broke a 23-year-old record for the longest consecutive run at number one by a New Zealand-based act on the country's singles chart. The single went on to win the group Most Singles Sold, Best Music Video and People's Choice Award at the 2009 New Zealand Music Awards.
As a solo artist, Sid has already experienced success with his solo debut his ‘The Truth’ and his critically acclaimed sophomore release, ‘What Doesn’t Kill Me’, both which featured in New Zealand’s top 20 album charts and won Best Māori Urban Album of the Year in 2008 and 2010. In 2014 alone, he has released three singles all reaching the Top 20 single charts.
With an uncanny ability to reach the difficult-to-capture young urban demographic, he has leant his credibility to campaigns ranging from Smoke Free New Zealand, to encouraging young people to vote in the 2014 New Zealand election.
Sid's explosive live shows, hard-hitting beats, close-to-home lyrics, and accessibility to his fans have grown a large and loyal fan base, which has seen him tour extensively throughout New Zealand and Australia.
His most recent mixtape 'Cohibas & Cubalibres', inspired by his latest trip to Mexico and Cuba, showcases the results of his journey to New York City in late 2010, where he recorded a number of songs in some of the cities renowned studios. It features a more mature and focused Sid, with music that speaks not only to his core audience, but articulates a reality that has captured the attention of new fans.
In addition to Cohibas & Cubalibres, Sid Diamond is currently working on the album 'Diamond District' due for release in early 2015. With the album and recent mixtape, Sid Diamond aims not only to offer a refresher course on why he is deemed the best in New Zealand, but also cement his claim to being the most internationally capable artist in New Zealand’s Hip Hop community.
“It’s a solid effort that should go down as one of the best this country has produced thus far. A statement of what he stands for, where he’s from and now the big question, of course, is where he’s going.” Review of 'What Doesn't Kill Me', ‘thecorner.co.nz’ – May 2010
For bookings or enquiries contact: sid@diamonddistrict.co.nz