MEDIA RELEASE 2nd June 2005

ERMEHN
THE PATH OF BLOOD

New Album In Store July 18th 2005

This is New Zealand’s first pure gangsta album, from the mouth of a real gangsta; it’s an important document that deserves attention - Kerry Buchanan
Ermehn’s The Path of Blood is an unflinchingly raw sore of an album. Due for release July 18th, the tracks are not fantasies of far away Bloods & Crips, but the reality of a life lived hard in South Auckland. They’re about Ermehn - an “Otara O.G” who since the age of 14 has been hustling, selling drugs, establishing the methamphetamine trade, being a soldier in the King Cobras…these are stories not told, lives not acknowledged until now.
After forming strong bonds in the hood, earlier on Ermehn joined crews and met many – Brotha D, Dean Hapata, Dei Hamo, the Fuemana collective – who have become the bedrock of our present hip hop movement. Ermehn was part of the Otara Millionaires Club before Pauly Fuemana became O.M.C, and within the confines of the Aotearoan MC world Ermehn has always carried respect. Ermehn released his debut album in the mid 90s, entitled Samoans Part II.
Producer for The Path Of Blood Alan Togi has crafted powerful beats with interspersed horn lines and old school string cadences. Guest spots come from Mareko, Two-Face, MR Sick and Savage Poets, who add greatly to Ermehn’s flow. The first single is the incendiary Bank Job where alternative economics are used to pay the rent. Things don’t go well and are highlighted in the second single Silver & Gold – a track that confronts the aftermath of criminality, where he talks of “Lost Souls” and fractured families. As the album progresses an element of redemption enters, tracks like Better Place and Outside looking In show Ermehn looking beyond, finding peace within himself and changing all around him.
The Path Of Blood is a very tough album, but also very truthful, in effect an autobiography of a Polynesian man who says “never rap or write about what you haven’t done, it’s all about respect and foundation.” This is total realism unbridled and uncensored. Ermehn says “it’s like listening to 20/20 in the form of hip hop.”