Dj Severe

DJ Sir-Vere, also known as Phil Bell, is a prominent figure in the New Zealand hip hop scene, having advanced from a pioneering DJ and radio host to a curator and advocate for local talent. After co-organizing New Zealand’s first 12-hour dance party, Planet Rock, at Auckland’s Powerstation in 1988—an event requiring a special license for its extended duration—DJ Sir-Vere, also known as Phil Bell, became a pivotal force in the country’s hip hop scene. His foundational contributions to radio began with co-founding the influential True School Hip Hop Show on bFM. This was followed by hosting The Late Night Hype on Mai FM, which commenced in 1999 and became instrumental in introducing new generations to hip hop, broadcasting the genre to a wider New Zealand audience.

These diverse and sustained roles underscore his profound impact across multiple facets of the music, media, and cultural industries.