PNC

Emerging amid a flourishing wave of New Zealand rappers spurred by Scribe's breakthrough, PNC adapted the sonic and vocal conventions of American hip-hop to narratives rooted in local experience. Sam Hansen, later known by the shortened alias PNC, was born in Palmerston North City. At sixteen he encountered the opening track of Jay-Z's 2000 album The Dynasty Roc la Familia and resolved to become a rapper. Four years afterward he carried a selection of demos to Auckland and joined the Breakin Wreckwordz crew.

A guest spot on DJ P-Money's sophomore release, Magic City, positioned him beside Scribe and Con Psy both on record and during the ensuing tour, helping establish his reputation. In 2005 he joined Dirty Records and issued the mixtape Ooooh on the PNC Tip. The following year his debut album, The Rookie Card, appeared, with P-Money, Scribe, and Con Psy each contributing to one track.