Siren kings are members of a primarily Pasifika (Pacific Islander) underground youth subculture, originating in South Auckland, New Zealand, which gained popularity in the mid-2010s. The siren scene involves competitions where crews compete for the loudest and clearest sound produced by sirens (loudspeakers or public address systems) stolen from schools, tsunami risk zones and industrial sites, then attached to cars or bicycles, to win the title of siren king.
The music produced to be used in siren battles is known as siren beats or siren jams, and is typically music played at high volumes, inspired by reggae and dembow that emphasises treble. In 2020, siren beat producer and high school student Jawsh 685’s song “Laxed (Siren Beat)” became popular on TikTok, later becoming a global hit when sampled by American singer Jason Derulo, released as “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat).”
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