16 February 2024 - 0 Comments

Kaupapa Anthems 2 (Tuakana Teina Project) marks over 40 years of waiata that have helped shape the social and political sounds of Aotearoa.

Listen Here

The project honours the legacy of kaupapa music and the contribution it has made to decades of grassroots resistance here in Aotearoa and across Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific).

Led by Zane Graham, Creative Nātives created near faithful reconstructions of these waiata featuring the original artists (Tuakana) alongside younger established artists (Teina). The project was an opportunity to reimagine these waiata with new sounds, musicians and production resources that artists didn’t have access to 40 years ago. This is the first time some of these songs have been recorded.

Artists contributing to the multi-generational project include descendants of Ngā Tamatoa, Polynesian Panthers, He Taua, Black Women's Liberation and HART (Halt All Racist Tours).

“These are the songs we all grew up with, and the album is a chance to acknowledge these icons,” says Te Whenua Harawira, Creative Director of Kaupapa Anthems. “It was inspiring to work with these artists, to hear the intent behind their waiata and to share this kaupapa with a new generation.”

Comments

Return to News Archive