The Wellington hip-hop artist headlined the ''Choice Not Chance Local Legends'' concert in the Glenroy Auditorium yesterday, to celebrate the creativity of young people and raise awareness of gambling harm.
The 34-year-old, whose real name is Malo Luafutu, estimated a pokie gambling addiction had cost him $100,000 and said he wanted to help others avoid making the same mistakes he had.
The singer hit rock bottom in 2011, when a Christchurch pawn broker put four of his record awards up for auction to recoup debt from the musician. Scribe said he started playing pokies when he was just 14 and later struggled with alcohol, drug and gambling issues after the release of his second album, Rhyme Book, in 2007.
The event was hosted by Dunedin MC Beau Jeffries and featured music, poetry and dance acts by young local artists.
While gambling was meant to be a fun activity, it could ''quickly get out of hand and destroy individuals, families and communities'', Salvation Army Oasis Centre counsellor Chris Watkins said.
Anyone concerned about a gambling issue can contact the Salvation Army Oasis Centre on (03) 456-0307 or Gambling Helpline on 0800-654-65.
