NZ Hip Hop Stand Up - Misfits of Science 'Fools Love'

The duo who would go on to form Misfits of Science only met as a result of a chance encounter at a hip hop clothing store on Queen Street in Auckland.
Stevie McQuinn and Yudhi Moodley say that they were both obsessed with hip hop clothing at the time and bonded over their love of the genre. The friends soon became bedroom music producers together and in their words, were ‘eating yum bars, smoking weed and just pounding out music’.
South-African born Yudhi Moodley had wanted to become a rapper from a young age and had a vision of getting a record deal from the start with Stevie saying he was ‘holding on to the cape of Super-Yudhi’. They formed Misfits of Science in 2002.
“When [others] were out there getting their girlfriends, I was just like music is my girlfriend. I always had a vision that I wanted this record deal. It was a silent confidence that I hadn’t expressed to anyone other than Steve,” Yudhi says.
And it wasn’t just the production of their music that they approached differently. To find a sample to use in a new track, the duo went looking in the CD discount bin at The Warehouse. That sample became the instantly recognisable hook for their hit ‘Fools Love’.
Another arresting component was the music video with its animated oversized bobble-headed versions of Steve and Yudhi, which looked like nothing else around at the time. It first debuted to a national audience on C4’s Holla Hour.
“We’re sitting on Yudhi’s couch at his mum’s flat - pretty exciting that a little Māori boy from Waiuku is about to be on TV with his video,” Stevie recalls.
The debut saw an ‘overwhelming response’ from viewers who called in for it to be replayed again in the same hour. Steve and Yudhi were euphoric. With the release of the video, radio stations picked up on Fools Love and hip hop fans quickly sent the song to the top of the charts. Misfits of Science was suddenly on top out of nowhere.
Watch more of the NZ Hip Hop Stand Up episodes here -
www.thecoconet.tv/coco-docos/...

[@robwest2190]

I remember my first year after I moved to Melbourne from NZ 2012 I recognised Steve (Optimus) working in a storehouse for a local business. I was a bit shy and unsure to ask but asked one of the staff there who was the guy working out back and she laughed and said "oh we get this sometimes, he's the drummer for Kimbra" .. I said "oh... No thats not it but now it makes sense... He's Optimus from Misfits of science probably the greatest hip-hop group to come out of NZ" told her to pass on my regards and that I hope they know how truly talented he is.

[@andwhat5248]

Bro, I only remembered this legendary tune after like 20 odd years 2024 after un-subconsiously tapping this with 2 pens at work on smoko. Nostalgic and slamming it hard over the airwaves 🙌🙌🙌

[@Hexthetrilogy]

Glad these guys are still well & kicking! Fools Love still packs a punch to this day! & making the clip in their room on a computer?!!! Bro!!! These guys went above & beyond! Definitely one of the greatest songs to come out of NZ. Their style was way beyond the start of the 2000s!

[@SHAYLEM]

I remember buying this album from the Warehouse, definitely ahead of it's time. Probably one of the most nostalgic Aotearoa Hip Hop songs that reminds me of home. Yum Bars mention is crazy lol

[@ItachiUchiha-te9br]

This Misfits of science will forever be eternal in the world especially for here in New Zealand, grew up loving this sht and always will NZ HIPHOP.
-Drummy east

[@Huimatewaka]

Fact for you : Steve is 1 of the baddest metal/hiphop drummers in this country.....respect boys

[@julesyp2257]

Memories! When someone made the ringtone of this track on the Nokia 8210 and most of us had it as a ringtone haha NZ hip hop has always been 🔥

[@Andy_M986]

Just downloaded to my Kiwi music playlist on Spotify.

[@Te_Enzo_]

Dope‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@LiLi_Capri]

This was a jam! I had it on a lot of my mixes

[@davidscott4045]

Was the first track I put on in my new wagon a few days ago
Never gets old, still rocks

[@kanantawera7082]

yum bars!! god dam

[@mosh0whunny]

Thanks for sharing this video. I really enjoyed watching. These guys definitely bring back some awesome memories.

[@blake.henderson]

the wharefare!

[@TeineSamoaTamaPalagi]

Cool Vid! Had never heard of them until now (Was just locked onto Dre back in the day), but glad I have heard of them now. A couple great young fellas. Hope they get to make more tracks!

[@howudoin8282]

Their song Kiddie Fiddling was a good track.

[@fits1966]

limewire

[@adrianfairlie1584]

Man.. I loved that track hard when it came out.. That white guy could flow, bro.. hahaha

[@richarddechatfield2297]

Aw noooo

[@yeahman9813]

American style kiwi egos lol

[@thebusiness1512]

THESE GUYS ARE LEGENDS.... THIS SONG WAS FOR EVERYONE I REMEMBER LIVING IN PAPATOE AND ALL THE HOMOSEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERS WERE BLASTING IT IN THE STREETS. 🤣