Christchurch is the starting point for Pirapus, the New Zealand drum-and-bass duo of George Murray and Ben “Tex” Hollamby. The pair met during an impromptu jam session at the University of Canterbury, where Murray handles keys and production while Hollamby plays beats and guitar. Their sound combines dancefloor drum and bass with influences from other electronic styles. A 2020 single, Fragments, is among their early releases; in 2021, Pirapus won George FM’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year award.
In 2022, Pirapus released the Nomad EP on Dark Machine Recs / DRM NZ, followed by the album Nomad EP – Reloaded. Their single Need You Now reached number two on the NZ Hot Singles chart. Pirapus also released music through Monstercat, NIGHTMODE, Bassrush Records, Lost In Dreams, DnB Allstars, Lowly, NCS and EMI. On NCS, the duo joined Belgian producer Andromedik for the single Ride or Die; they also worked with REAPER on BLOW THE ROOF.
Other collaborations include SUPERNOVA, featuring Brody Leigh, and Dynamite, released on Trap Nation’s label Broke. In 2025, Pirapus teamed up with Arcando for the Monstercat single Ultrasound, and released the single EVERYNITE. Their first event in 2024 marked an appearance on the live circuit. George Murray and Ben “Tex” Hollamby remain based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
In 2026, Pirapus released the single AFTER THE END with Christina Harrison on Thrive Music, and Slow Motion with Circadian and Mila Falls on Elevate Records. That year also brought What Ya Got 4 Me with Signum on Armada Music, the single RENEGADE (Every Day) on UKF and DANCE DISRUPTOR on Monstercat.
