Dj Severe

Phil Bell, known professionally as DJ Sir-Vere, established himself as a key contributor to the New Zealand hip hop landscape. His career began with foundational roles in radio, co-founding the True School Hip Hop Show on bFM and hosting The Late Night Hype on Mai FM, which started in 1999 and introduced new generations to hip hop. These early platforms were pivotal in broadcasting hip hop music to a wider audience in New Zealand.

Throughout his career, DJ Sir-Vere has engaged in various projects that underscore his commitment to hip hop culture. He was involved with Wrekognize, alongside DLT, during MTV’s brief presence in New Zealand. He also operated Beat Merchants in Auckland and was a member of the DJ group 2 Cuts Klan with Sub-Zero. A significant milestone was co-organizing Planet Rock in 1988 at Auckland’s Powerstation with Paul Amlehn, which was New Zealand’s first 12-hour dance party, requiring a special license for its extended duration. He has also authored and edited publications, notably editing the hip hop magazine Back2Basics after its re-launch through a collaboration between Satellite Media and Dawn Raid Entertainment. Additionally, he co-founded the Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit and hosts TV shows, promoting New Zealand hip hop and its artists.

His influence extends to music production and compilation curation, evidenced by the release of the “Major Flavours” album series, with six volumes issued from 2001 to 2005. Furthermore, DJ Sir-Vere has maintained ongoing relationships with global brands, serving in Global Artists Relations for InMusic DJ Brands, including RANE, Denon, Numark, and Stanton Engine. His long-standing collaboration with Nike and Jordan brand in New Zealand, spanning approximately four years, highlights his significant ties to sneaker culture, maintaining a collection of over 500 pairs. These diverse roles demonstrate his sustained impact across multiple facets of the music and culture industries.