The title of this song means “cheerful,” or “happy” in te reo Māori, which I believe could be evident just by listening to it. The song was produced by MAIMOA, “arguably the most important music collective in Aotearoa – a collection of young Māori artists with a kaupapa to benefit and develop te reo Māori, consciously creating positive footprints for the next generation to continue their legacy of Waiata Māori.” They are made up of twelve artists: Pere Wihongi, Tawaroa Kawana, Puawai Taiapa, Hoeata Maxwell-Blake, Mereana Teka, Awatea Wihongi, Nathaniel Howe, Raniera Blake, Makaira Berry, Te Awhina Kaiwai-Wanikau, Metotagivake Shmidt-Peke, and Kia Kaaterama Kiri-Pou.

This specific song features Lion Rezz, a Māori musician from Auckland, NZ. According to one source, he is “all about combining the edgy grooves of reggae, with the charming melodies of R&B.”

I have not been able to find a direct translation, but there definitely certain elements of the reggae and R&B style of the song that translate to a North American sensibility. The harmony is fairly Western-sounding, but there is something unique about the rhythm of the non-Western lyrics combined with a Western-inspired musical style that is distinct yet difficult to precisely describe.

I chose this song because it represents a type of initiative that I have admired for some time. As a way of continuing the use of their indigenous language, MAIMOA promotes present-day artists who wish to create popular music in the language of their people. Dying languages the world over are reborn in a new form that feels incredibly current. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ims2RLUAlr0&list=PLGqVneWrYn56kMzwV_6fvFKeoBCAPsA-Q&index=13