As one of Aotearoa's only te reo Māori DnB world music vocalists, Huia ignites with the empowering single, 'WAKA HUIA'.

This potent waiata (song) is a captivating fusion of contemporary trap beats and the ancient sounds of taonga puoro (traditional Māori instruments), including a First Nation flute. Huia brought in the music skills of artist Rei, and the tune is recorded, mixed, and mastered at Kog Studio.

Sung entirely in te reo Māori, 'Waka Huia' pulsates with an empowering message. It's a call to action, urging listeners to embrace their inner strength and lift each other. The lyrics speak to challenging the status quo and addressing injustices with unwavering resolve and peaceful resistance. Rangimārie. 'WAKA HUIA' wraps the audience and takes them on a heavy deep music journey, but lyrically it’s a gentle reminder to look after yourself.

'WAKA HUIA' is just the first taste of Huia's highly anticipated album, 'Kawakawa', a twelve-track exploration of affirmation, self-discovery, and connection to one another and the lands we live and fiercely protect. Her music has been a regular part of national iwi radio playlisting for over 10 years and is highlighted on Māori playlists and Waiata Anthem releases. In 2022, she was awarded Best Female Māori Artist at the 2022 Waiata Māori Music Awards and an annual finalist.

This deeply personal work features a unique blend of musical talent with Huia sharing creative space with Sean Richards (Tui Tuia Ō Whakapapa, Pūnakaiki), her musical confidante Rei, and Pacific Heights. The album is predominantly in te reo Māori, supported by Te Māngai Pāho, and recorded, mixed, and mastered at Kog Studio.
The waiata 'Waka Huia' debut was live at WOMAD24, and Huia's musical journey has been enriched by her travels to indigenous global music communities. 'WAKA HUIA' sets a lush scene as a taster for the KAWAKAWA album project.

The lead single 'Āio' from the EP hit #16 on the NZ Hot Singles Charts in the first week and was the only Te Reo Māori single in the top 20. Huia's back catalogue is playlisted all around the world, from France, in the Highlands of Scotland, to Melbourne and Waiheke Island. Huia has 2 singles on the 'TOKA EP' by Baitercell, 'Hine Ruru' and 'Te Wai Te Ora', which were both openly praised for being DnB te reo Māori tunes that have mass appeal. It even featured on George FM's website for Matariki and online on the Te Ao show (160,000+ reach).
Huia is an award-winning producer and has a new album in the works, which will be mainly in English and will be a lot of tunes she has written over the years that need to be released!

"Āio itself is an absolute breath of fresh air in today's music scene - a scene that (although I love) is often inundated with songs about getting lit and having your heart broken - instead, Huia leans more towards a perfect little blend of taking care of your inner self and also of the natural world that we are surrounded by." (Amanda Hailwood for Muzik.net.nz)

For more - www.iamhuia.com