Living his teenage dream

Quinn Eru AKA One Three Official is making his dreams of being a hip hop rap artist a reality. Kaupapa Māori reporter Matai O’Connor learned more about his journey . . .

Quinn Eru (Ngāti Hine, Tūwharetoa) dreamt of becoming a rapper and now at the age of 30 he is accomplishing it.

Ever since he was a teenager he has wanted to pursue music.

When he was 13, he remembers wanting to be a rapper after hearing ’90s rappers like Snoop Dogg — one of his biggest inspirations, along with the likes of Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Eazy E and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

“There were often parties happening at my family home and I can remember the music being played. I always enjoyed it and listened to it,” he said.

He watched hip hop and rap music videos whenever they would come up on MTV, before the day of the internet and streaming channels like YouTube.

“I kept listening to them and started to learn about their flow of rapping. Then I would figure out my own flows and rap over the beats.”

A family friend gave him a CD that had FruityLoops on it, an early computer software package that could be used to make music.

He loaded it on to his mum’s laptop, got a cheap microphone from The Warehouse and used his mum’s broom as a mic stand.

Quinn was born in Tauranga and his home town is Tūrangi. He moved to Rotorua at 11 and went to Rotorua Boys’ High School, leaving when he was 16 to work in forestry.

But music was always in the back of his mind.

He moved to Gisborne about three years ago and started working in the fields. He enjoyed it but his dreams of being a musician had not faded.

He and his partner of 12 years have a young family.

“About three years ago, I sat down with her and explained how I wanted to pursue this music thing and she said ‘yes, go for it. As long as family is sorted, it’s all good’.”

He was excited to begin this new journey.

He saw a post on Facebook from Tairāwhiti musician and educator Tyna Keelan, looking for musicians interested in joining a music course he was offering.

“I thought ‘why not? He’s only going to say yes or no’. So I flicked him a message explaining who I was and what I wanted to do and he accepted me.”

In his first year of study he completed a six-track EP (extended play) called Ghetto Stories which shares stories about his life and where he comes from.

Quinn thanks Tyna for all the mahi he has done and support he has given to help his dreams become a reality.

After completing level 4 of his course, he was hungry for more and enrolled for level 5. He’s learned a lot about music production as well as the music business and is looking forward to the future.

Graduating was a special moment for him as it was the first time he had ever graduated from anything.

Quinn says pursuing his dream and achieving it is what he wants to do to show his kids and the next generation what is possible.

“I am trying to do better and be a better person for the next generation and my kids, and show all the bros out there that it doesn’t matter what lifestyle you come from, if you chase your dream anything is possible.

“Look at me; I didn’t think I would make it this far but I have. Anything is possible.”

Stepping into being a rapper is completely out of his comfort zone but it’s what he wants to do and loves.

His name One Three Official comes from the number 13 which has been around in his life and holds significance for him.

Quinn started his music journey alongside Eastborne 4010 which is made up of 14 musicians who are all whānau.

“I always heard the bros singing at garage parties. They are truly talented, but they wouldn’t take it any further. I always could see their potential.”

He approached some of his family and told them what he thought and how they should start a group. They were in.

Their first live performance was last year at Smash Palace to a sold-out crowd of 200 people.

“It was my first time ever on stage.

“It was freaky but we had a few hype men in the crew who were keeping spirits up saying things like ‘this is what we have worked hard for, once we go on stage give it all you’ve got’ and that’s what we did,” he said.

Earlier this year, Eastborne 4010 and One Three Official secured a spot at Summer Frequencies.

“It was the biggest stage and crowd we have ever performed to, but we did it. After the first song I was comfortable and had a mean time.

“I didn’t ever think I had it in me, and I wouldn’t be here without my partner and family supporting me. I want to show them what’s possible.”

Quinn is working on his next EP and is set to perform in Wellington in April.

“Keep chasing your dreams no matter what they are. You’ve just got to grind hard and not stop.”

Quinn will graduate with his level five diploma in music and Māori performing arts in April.

He thanks all those who have helped him along the way, including his family and friends — Tyna Keelan, Darryl Monteith, Davy Faapito, Cj Houkamau aka Dizfunk, Eastborne 4010 and everyone else who has helped and supported him from day one.

■ Follow One Three Official on Facebook to keep up to date with what Quinn is up to next.