JGeek and the Geeks explained

JGeeks
Genre:Electro pop, Pop, Te Reo
Origin:Auckland, New Zealand
Years Active:2010 – present
Label:kog.co.nz
Current Members:Jermaine Leef
Marino Taiatini
Eru Bennett-Paul
Past Members:Christian Fautret
Ricky Flavell
Parai Parai

JGeeks are a New Zealand performance Maori comedy music group best known for their songs "Maori Boy" and "The Best Day I Ever Had", as well as their 2012 appearance as finalists in New Zealand's Got Talent. The group is led by former Disney Channel and C4 television presenter and Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalist, Jermaine Leef.[1]

History

In 2011, TV3 received NZ On Air funding to develop a comedy series titled J Geek vs the World, however this series was not produced.[2]

In 2012, the group entered New Zealand's Got Talent using the shortened name Jgeeks.[3] They won the public vote in their semi-final, and eventually finished in fourth place in the grand final.[4]

In September 2013, the group embarked on a 22-venue tour of New Zealand called the Eggs Factor tour. After playing their first eight shows, the tour was cancelled due to "circumstances outside of our control".[5]

The Cuzzies

The Cuzzies is a Metro-Maori electro craze group formed in 2011 and consists of the current members of JGeeks. They are best known for their 2011 single, "Ghost Chips".

Ghost Chips is a music video that parodies the anti-drink driving ad "Legend" that played on New Zealand television. Ghost Chips entered the NZ singles charts at number 11 in November. It received over 100,000 views in 4 days on YouTube.

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSalesCertifications
NZ
[6]
NZ Albums
Maoris vs. Music
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
NZ
NZ Singles
"Maori Boy"201033 Non-album single
"I'm a Taniwha"20117
"Ghost Chips"11
"The Best Day I Ever Had"201313 2
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Show Me How To Geek"2009Non-album single
"Icky Sticky"2010
"I Love Hangi"2011
"Coz I Luv Ya"2012
"Down Down"
(featuring Savage)
2013
"We're Going on a Bear Hunt"
"Maoris Be Like"
(featuring Incredabull)
"We Make the Beat Go"
"The Blazdidis"
(featuring James Rolleston)
2014
"Where You From"

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JGeeks. New Zealand's Got Talent. TVNZ. 24 September 2013.
  2. Web site: Te Rautaki Māori: 2012 Review. NZ On Air. 24 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130622025242/http://www.nzonair.govt.nz/media/79457/review%20of%20rautaki%20maori%20december%202012.pdf. 22 June 2013. dead.
  3. Web site: JGeeks. New Zealand's Got Talent. TVNZ. 23 September 2013.
  4. Web site: JGeeks 'on a new kind of buzz'. The Nelson Mail. 24 September 2013.
  5. News: 'Talent' finalists cancel national tour. Rotorua Daily Post. 24 September 2013. 18 September 2013.
  6. Web site: Discography JGeeks . charts.nz . 26 April 2011.