Home Brew are a smooth, refreshing ale that will make you feel golden and
moist inside just like you did before big kids pants. They have a distinct
feel‐good sound and sincere lyricism
that's relevant to New Zealand culture and their live act is so well executed
you can barely tell
that they have major substance abuse issues.
Homebrew released their self‐titled debut full‐length album in May
2012 to some critical acclaim. It hit number 1 on the New Zealand album charts
in its first week, and is the first New Zealand hip hop album to top the charts
since Scribe's album The Crusade rin 2003.
The NZ Herald review says the album is a “bold and beautiful jazz‐influenced
hip‐hop debut, delivered with a wry smile” and gave it 4.5 out of 5.
The Dominion Postreviewer Luke Appleby called it “nothing if not honest”, and overall judges it "one of the best, most genuine hip‐hop releases heard in recent years and rated it 5 out of 5.
In 2010 Home Brew were short listed for the New Zealand Music Awards Critics Choice Prize. In 2012 they won Best Urban /Hip Hop Album at the New Zealand Music Awards and were nominated for four others, including Best Group and Album of the Year.