If you told Tom Francis two years ago that his foray into rapping would lead to a recording session with Snoop Dogg in the legend's own studio - he wouldn't have believed you.

The 22-year-old Napier-ite only started making music in 2015, but since has released a debut album that toppled Drake in the charts, and spent time in Los Angeles mixing with some of the world's most famous musicians at Paramount Studios.

"It's been a crazy ride, especially this year just gone, 2017, it was super crazy," the former Napier Boys High School student said yesterday.

It all stemmed from his 2016 album Underestimated, which he recorded in his bedroom with cheap equipment. Featuring collaborations with artists including the grammy-nominated Twista, Dizzy Wright, OnCue and TY, it spent a week topping the New Zealand iTunes charts and has since garnered over 4 million worldwide streams.

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He now spends his time between Hawke's Bay and the United States, where in the past year he joined the recording sessions of Wiz Khalifa, King Los, Joyner Lucas, members of the A$AP Crew and Top Dawg Entertainment.

"You don't see that [stuff] in New Zealand. We went into some sessions and you'd see A$AP Rocky or Frank Ocean, you'd go in and they'd just be standing there."

Hanging out at Paramount Studios, the premier recording studio for major hip hop artists and musicians, led to a recording session with Snoop Dogg at his studio.

"Being from Hawke's Bay, if you asked me two years ago if I thought I'd be in a studio with Snoop Dogg, I probably wouldn't have said yes," he said. "That sort of stuff doesn't just happen everyday, it was amazing.

"The first time I met him I was like, wow. I was trying not to think about it too much, you start kicking yourself a bit, you don't want to fan boy out."

Other projects include working with Dr Dre, who received an All Blacks jersey from the young musician.

Now, Mr Francis - who grew up in Napier and Taradale - is on track to releasing his second album titled The Follow Up to coincide with his 23rd birthday in February.

He thought his rapid success was due to a lot of effort, help from others, and behind the scenes work.

"People used to say to me, 'how are you going to make music if you can't read music'," he said. "I just work on my music all the time, I'm up from early in the morning till late at night."

To top it all off, in late December he was announced as one of the 10 semifinalists for the University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year.

He said he had been "blown away" by the nomination.

"I never got a music award, I feel like this is way bigger. It's pretty crazy going up against people like Peter Burling [ 2017 America's Cup champion helmsman]."

The University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year is part of the KiwiBank New Zealander of the Year awards.

It recognises people between the ages of 15 and 30 who are "striving to improve themselves and their communities and are brimming with the potential to produce a bright future for New Zealand".

Mr Francis was said to bring a "brand-new sound to hip-hop music. He has blended together classical hip-hop sounds with hard-hitting dubstep and drum and bass. Hit song Who's Real being a great example of Tom's versatility".

"Tom's new work under development will continue to collaborate with other rappers and bring Tom's positive messaging to this genre."

-The winners of the 2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards will be announced at a gala event in Auckland on 22 February.

University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year semifinalists:

·Peter Burling (Tauranga)

·David Cameron (Auckland)

·Kristina Cavit (Auckland)

·Tom Francis (Hawke's Bay)

·Alexander Kuch (Auckland)

·Lizzie Marvelly (Auckland)

·Grace Stratton (Auckland)

·Josiah Tualamali'i (Christchurch)

·Rees Vinsen (Auckland)

·Logan Williams (Christchurch)