Technics 1200 Turntable

At the beginning of the 21st century, hip hop is an important focus and creative outlet for young people in New Zealand and worldwide. The material culture of hip hop in New Zealand documents a distinctive local response to a global music phenomena across a range of cultural activities.

Revolutionary Technology

This turntable represents an important piece of late 20th century technology that revolutionised popular dance and disco music worldwide from the late 1970s. It was owned by 9-time New Zealand champion Hip Hop DJ - DJ Raw (aka Ian Seumanu) who is of Samoan descent.

Hip Hop Pioneer

In 2000, DJ Raw had not lost a New Zealand DJ competition since 1991. He ordered this turntable in 1989 from a local appliance company called L.V. Martin and Sons Ltd. It took six months to be delivered and it was the first he had owned. Initially, he used it at house parties and at socials at Rongotai College in Wellington, where he was formerly a student. Later, he took it with him to compete in the Newmark PPD DJ Champs, the first DJ battle in New Zealand.

Acquisition History

The turntable was part of DJ Raw’s set up until 1996. He put it to work in many gigs with several New Zealand hip hop crews including 'Gifted and Brown' and 'Debonair'. In 2000, DJ Raw toured and performed with 'King Kapisi' and the Wellington hip hop crew 'Footsouljahs'. The turntable was acquired from DJ Raw later that same year. He gave the original second turntable in the set to King Kapisi in 1989.