Performer on world stage
Diaz Grimm once performed at the Cambridge Town Hall but now performs on stages around the world.
The hip hop artist grew up in Cambridge, and is home to promote new material and drum up New Zealand support.
On July 7 he is rolling out his new track Foreigners, produced by Mike Elizondo - the man behind Eminem’s TheReal Slim Shady and 50 Cent’s In da Club.
‘‘Back when I was 11, I remember my best friend and I recording The Real Slim Shady off the radio, and I think it’s the first song I learned all the words to,’’ Diaz said. Opportunities in the New Zealand music industry can be limited but Diaz’s big break came when he met Elizondo through SongHubs, a camp for musicians.
It was where 10, up-and-coming artists were selected to work with a range of international producers with experience in different fields. He asked to be teamed up with Elizondo.
‘‘And I’ve been to his studios in Los Angeles, which is where Death Row Records was, so a lot of the new Tupac movie has been filmed there.’’
Most of his fans were in Europe or America, but he will start his tour in New Zealand in September before going through Australia, Europe and Toronto.