The Black Seeds

Originating from New Zealand, the Black Seeds layer funk, soul, and Afrobeat elements atop island grooves within their reggae-based sound. Prior to recording, the ensemble honed its skills through extensive live performances, which lent considerable strength to their studio output. In 2006, Into the Dojo achieved a number-one debut on the New Zealand charts. International touring followed in promotion of later works, such as Fabric from 2017.

The group came together in 1997 in Wellington, New Zealand, operating as an eight-piece reggae/soul ensemble emphasizing horns and percussion. Although Keep on Pushing appeared only in 2001, the band had by that point built a reputation for dynamic shows, with the debut album extending their reach to audiences in France, Belgium, Australia, and Switzerland alongside platinum-level sales. Their next effort, On the Sun in 2004, attained double platinum status domestically. Mid-2006 saw the release of Into the Dojo, which topped the charts upon arrival; European tours were supplemented by select American performances. This album expanded the Black Seeds' following considerably, paving the way for further achievements via Solid Ground in 2008, Dust and Dirt in 2012, and Fabric in 2017. Tracks from the band appeared in series including Breaking Bad and Weeds, in addition to soundtracks for movies such as Eight Below and The Inbetweeners II.