MĀORI MUSICIANS CONTINUE TO INSPIRE

The use of te reo in pop culture and music continues to enjoy a resurgence, as showcased by this year’s Best Māori Artist finalists

TROY KINGI

Kerikeri-based soul singer Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi) released his sophomore album Shake That Skinny Ass All The Way To Zygertron in November 2017, an epic funkinfused album taking inspiration from sci-fi soul, interstellar love and 70s cosmic funk.

Beyond the microphone, Kingi is well known for his acting – most notably in Taika Waititi’s 2016 masterpiece Hunt For The Wilderpeople and in Mt Zion alongside 2018 Vodafone New Zealand Music Award host Stan Walker.

ALIEN WEAPONRY

Hailing from Waipu, Ethan Trembath and brothers Lewis and Henry de Jong (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Raukawa) are Alien Weaponry, a three-piece thrash metal band who were also finalists for this award in 2017.

The band has seen huge success in 2018, releasing their debut album Tū in June and touring through some of Europe’s biggest heavy metal festivals, including the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. Alien Weaponry’s single Kai Tangata rocketed to No.1 on the prestigious ‘Devil’s Dozen’ countdown on New York-based Sirius XM.

KATCHAFIRE

2003’s ‘Highest Selling Single’ Tui winners Katchafire have once again cemented their place as one of the world’s best reggae bands. The Hamilton based group are recognised for the success of their sixth album Legacy in 2018.

The line-up of Logan Bell (Tainui, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata, Ngāpuhi), Jordan Bell (Tainui, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata, Ngāpuhi), Grenville Bell (Tainui, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata, Ngāpuhi), Tere Mateora Ngarua (Ngāti Te Wehi, Tamarua, Mangaia), Hani Totorewa, James Ferguson (Ngāti Kahungunu), and Leon Davey (Rereahu, Ngāti Porou) is a staple of the Aotearoa summer playlists and festival circuits.