Coco Solid

Jessica Hansell was first nicknamed Coco by a bandmate in her teenage girl group The Pussies, and from there her rap persona was born. Collaborating with an array of artists — most notably Erik Ultimate — Coco Solid has been delivering her distinct brand of funky, grimy and often humorous rap since debut album Rap N Roll in 2003. The Aucklander has earned many accolades, including Best Hip Hop Artist at the bNet NZ Music Awards (2007) and an Arts Laureate Award (2019). Hansell is also one half of hip hop duo Parallel Dance Ensemble and is a writer, director and actor (including for her web series Aroha Bridge).