Bio

New Zealand born producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, Kings burst onto the music scene in 2016 with the release of his debut single Don’t Worry ‘Bout It.

The track went on to become the biggest local release that year and surpassed the record for longest #1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, spending 33 consecutive weeks at the top. Written, recorded, mixed and mastered by Kingdon (Tuhoe, Te Arawa), like all of his music, the same went for the DIY music video, which he filmed impromptu in Fiji and then edited on the plane ride home. Don’t Worry ‘Bout It went on to sell double platinum, has had over 8 million streams and 1.5 million video views, and took home the Highest Selling New Zealand Single and Radio Airplay Record of the Year awards at the 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Kings’ followed up Don’t Worry ‘Bout It with his self-titled debut EP, which also included the singles What We Supposed To Do and Someday. Kings then cemented his big year by taking home Breakthrough Artist of The Year at the 2016 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, as well as Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Urban Artist and Best Producer at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards.

In late 2017, Kings returned, displaying his musical dexterity with his independently released debut album Chapter One. Featuring the hits We’ll Never Know, Domino and In The Sun, the album has clocked up over 3 million streams across its 13 tracks. Not one for complacency, Kings quickly followed it up with his second album Two, in early 2018, which featured the singles You Do and Temporary Me. In less than six months the album clocked up over 3.5 million streams and seen Kings receive an APRA Silver Scroll Award finalist nomination for ‘Temporary Me’.

Not just dominant in the studio, Kings has become one of Aotearoa’s most in demand live acts, performing at some of the county’s biggest events and festivals, including Rhythm and Vines, One Love, Bay Dreams, Electric Coastline, Soundsplash, as part of the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour and at the Wellington Sevens and ASB Tennis Classic. He also supported Six60 on their 2018 summer tour alongside Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz.

Despite a seemingly overnight success, Kingdon has been on the grind since 2010, producing music under his self-run label Arch Angel Records. Based out of Northcote, Auckland’s Awataha marae, which was built by his grandfather Arnold Manaaki Wilson and is managed by his father, Kings had previously been providing his music production services for companies around the world for use in commercials, television and film. He first learned the skills of his trade from completing a foundation year course at MAINZ. Taking what he had learned in commercial music production, Kings embarked on his solo career in the mid-2010's, making a name for himself on a number of tracks with some of New Zealand’s finest electronic producers including Dan Aux, General Lee and Jolyon Petch. In recent times, Kings has collaborated with some New Zealand’s most acclaimed artists including Tali, Melodownz, Ria Hall and Jon Toogood’s The Adults project.

Band Members:
Kingdon Chapple-Wilson

Links

• Artist Website
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Page
• SoundCloud Page
• Spotify Page