SouthSide Story was released in April 2000 at the Otara Leisure centre at a release party attended by Che Fu, King Kapisi, P Money, DJ Sirvere and the whole establishment there to support what at the time was a first for NZ Hip Hop music. It was the first album produced by Dawn Raid and was made on a shoe string budget. This album marked Dawn Raid Entertainment’s official entry into the music business and was recorded at Kevy Kev’s One Love studios in Grey Lynn. At the time this was the first independent Hip Hop compilation released commercially in New Zealand and it introduced unknown artists at the time “4 Corners, Ill Semantics, KAOS, Native Sons and Brotha D (Lost Tribe)” to an unsuspecting New Zealand Hip Hop Community.

“Laced with stylish Hip Hop, smooth R&B, laid back and harder edged beats, and plentiful supplies of those famous polynesian rhythms and harmonies, 'Southside Story' is an up to date and fresh snapshot of the scene it represents”

NZ Musician May 2002

“Full of mana and unforced beauty. From the wildin hip hop of KAOS to the polynesian poetry expressed as 'The Journey' by Ill Semantics, and New Madd Breed and the nice R&B touches that flow from 'Live, Live' and 'Adeaze', this is certainly a work of pride and strength, that shows that colonialism is just a paper tiger when set on fire. Peace and power to all involved”.

Real Groove April 2000