Auckland hairstylist buzzing after Bone Thugs-N-Harmony encounter

A young Samoan hairstylist has gone from braiding hair for schoolmates to providing her services to hip hop royalty - particularly Bone Thugs-N-Harmony group member Bizzy Bone.

Catheryne Matiasi, 34, has been braiding since her schooling days, where she and her sister became well-known for their hair-styling talents.

Just over a week ago, that talent has now catapulted Matiasi to new heights, after she was asked to prepare the braids of Bryon Anthony McCane II - who's better known by his stage name Bizzy Bone.

The award-winning rapper was in New Zealand for the Juicy Fest music tour and had arrived for the Auckland leg.

Iconic 90s hip hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Photo/ Supplied

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is regarded as one of the greatest hip hop groups in history and have hits including 1st of Tha Month, Thuggish Ruggish Bone, East 1999 and as well as Grammy award-winning track Tha Crossroads.

South Auckland rapper Poetik, one of Matiasi’s clients, contacted her to say Bizzy was looking for a braider and that he had put her name forward for consideration.

The very next day - on the day the artist was to perform - she received a call while she was braiding her 9 o’clock client, she said.

“I had to be at the hotel by 10.30 a.m.”

Matiasi said Bone Thugs is a household name as she and her family and friends grew up listening to their music.

Matiasi said their conversation was about gaining more followers and how the braider could improve her business.

“We talked about life, how I started and the jobs I had before my braiding. It felt so surreal and cool to hear it from someone of a high calibre, which I used to listen to.

“He spoke to us like humans. I got to hug him on behalf of all the [Bone Thugs] and Bizzy fans. It was the best four hours of my life.

Matiasi said the other members of the group were performing at another gig in Las Vegas.

But Bizzy revealed to her that he had chosen to come to New Zealand for its culture and to give back to their fans.

While she braided, he looked through her business social media accounts and was impressed by her work, calling it “mad”.

After braiding his hair, she said the rapper commented: “Ooh yeah, I am ready for the show.”

Matiasi’s passion and business started to expand between 2017 and 2018.

“I quit my full-time job so I could focus on what I realised I loved doing.”

In 2019, she officially started her hairstyling business. That same year, she met rapper Poetik - now one of her regular customers.