Foundations
Illegal Musik was formed in late 2007 by founding partners Mark Arona (Patriarch) and Edgar Bennett (Hard Work) who have both worked in the New Zealand music industry for more than ten years.
Mark Arona was the founder of the hip-hop group Ill Semantics, best known for their silver scroll nominated single, Highway. He also filled the role of A&R for Clientele Records, Dawn Raid Entertainment’s imprint label, where he looked for new talent, aided in the development of new artists, and covered all facets of artist development.
Business partner Edgar Bennett built a solid reputation in the music industry as an urban music consultant to the major music labels (Universal,EMI/ Virgin and Warner Music) whilst assisting in the marketing of a number of Dawn Raid artists. Eddie has also worked as a strategic planner for DDB New Zealand,one of the top three communications agencies in New Zealand,handling a number of blue-chip clients including McDonald’s,Cadbury,Volkswagen and STIHL.
Building on the experience of both founding partners, Illegal Musik now provides a consultancy service on urban and youth orientated strategy development to both advertising agencies and brands.
Illegal Musik has in a short time frame made significant inroads in New Zealand music by introducing a new wave of artists and moulding them into ‘all round entertainers’.
Inoke Finau aka NOX is the man behind the majority of recordings from artists under the Illegal Musik roster.
He’s a quiet achiever: humble and modest with a big heart and he brings the best out of each artist he works with thanks to an infectious charm and a skilled work ethic.
Together,the three associates (Patriarch – NOX – Hard Work) with the help of Phil Howling (Warner Music NZ MD) have delivered:
- The highest selling single in New Zealand for 2010
- New Zealand Number 1
- Best Hip Hop Video 2010 Juice TV Music Awards for J Williams – You Got Me featuring Scribe
- Samsung Innovation Award 2010 Juice TV Music Awards for J Williams – You Got Me featuring Scribe
- 5 New Zealand Top 10s
- 12 NZTOP 40 within 4 years