DJ Algoodie can bring crowds to tears at sports games

The unsung heroes of hip-hop, DJs popularised the genre by bringing it to the masses. Today, many casual fans fail to recognise the impact DJs had on the genre’s history.

Alfred Aholelei, aka DJ Algoodie, is one of these pioneers. His time working in Pacific radio broadcasting platformed Pasifika musicians. He also fostered the talent of many young presenters.

Famously, Algoodie DJ’d a number of the historic, sold-out Mate Ma Tonga games of the 2010s, moving the crowd at times to tears with his tasteful selection of Tongan hymns. These incredible moments were nearly tarnished by racist remarks made by an NRL staffer towards Tongan fans.

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This hasn’t wavered Algoodie in his pursuits, though - to this day he’s still responsible for playing all your favourite hits at the Super Rugby, All Blacks games, and even recently the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Algoodie is of Tongan descent. His family migrated to South Auckland, where he was born and raised. As is tradition in many Pasifika families, he was first introduced to the sweet melody of gospel at church.

“My passion for music really came from being in the womb, because mum was one of the lead singers of her choir, she’d be carrying me and she'd be at choir practice, singing away – I almost feel like I can hear her if I put my hand up to my face," he told RNZ's Music 101.

Growing up in the late 80s and 90s, Pasifika music wasn’t as widely played or promoted in Aotearoa as it is today. Algoodie and other Pasifika looked up to African American musicians like Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.

“Maybe two [Pacific] artists were played in my time, one were the Boo Yah Tribe… and other one were The Jets - the Boo Yah Tribe being Samoan, The Jets being Tongan, who were making the Top 40 charts in the US.”

His first club gig as a DJ was in Tamaki Makaurau, at a bar named Someplace Else, attached to the Cordis Hotel on Karangahape Road. He filled in for a spot, training under DJ Classic Daddy. He was then offered an opportunity to voice a gig guide on NiuFM's Saturday Morning show. This introduction finally led to the role of Music Director.

“With Pasifika artists, it’s not as easy to find or come across as your mainstream artist,” Algoodie says.

He made it his goal to platform and promote as many musicians from Pacific communities as possible, from anywhere in the world. Building networks locally and as far as California, the music of NiuFM grew broader.

Over the years, Algoodie was responsible for offering droves of musicians their first ever spot on radio - through airplay, or interviews. He DJed at high school lunch time concerts, Polyfests and Pasifika Festivals - his reach, especially in South Auckland, was remarkable.

In 2017 he DJed for Mate Ma Tonga (MMT) at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, as they took on the New Zealand Kiwis. MMT lagged behind in points during the first half, turning things around in the second for a 22-28 win. In that last half, Algoodie played to a majority Tongan crowd - Himi 114, 'Eiki Koe 'Ofa 'A'au. Thousands of voices joined to sing.

“I didn’t create the hymn, that hymn was created years ago and sung by so many Tongans, but if I’m in a position to highlight and showcase this music… I’ll take that opportunity, and I’ll do it the best I can.”