09 September 2016 - 0 Comments

Re-releasing the debut track which launched Mika on the path to superstardom, Loved Me A Man is an all new version of the song originally by Allison Durban that became New Zealand’s first gay pop hit when Mika first released it in 1991.

Always a risk taker and never one to shy away from controversy, releasing the first version of Loved Me A Man resulted in the song immediately being banned from radio. Now, in a modern New Zealand that is far more GLBT* friendly, Mika is proud to release a new version of the song 25 years after it was first released, in the same year as the 30 year anniversary of Gay Law Reform in this country.

The release has been timed to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10^th, a day centered on reaching out to those who may suffer in silence. The original version of Loved Me A Man was released during the Worlds AIDS Epidemic which saw countless men take their own lives rather than suffer through the isolating illness in an unaccepting society. Mika lost dozens of friends and colleagues, several of whom died by suicide, some because they couldn’t come out to their loved ones let alone face society’s stigma around the virus.

Loved Me A Man is also dear to Mika’s heart as the re-release is a tribute the late great Dalvanius Prime, who produced the original track as well the iconic Poi-e, and hugely inspired Mika throughout his career. While recording the original song, Dalvanius encouraged Mika to stand up for those who can’t, something he continues to do today, bringing attention to World Suicide Day with the song, and hopefully reaching the people who need to hear the message of the song most.

The lead track from his upcoming album, The Originals Collection, features songs in English and Te Reo Maori and is continuation of Mika’s passion to forge Maori culture and language towards authentic and diverse expressions – alive, edgy, and sexy for all of us to share in New Zealand.

Featuring Lavina Williams (MaVelle) and produced by Alan Jansson (How Bizarre) and Siche Zhang (Mika’s last single Coffee), Loved Me A Man will be officially released on World Suicide Prevention Day September 10^th, and is the first single from Mika’s The Originals Collection which is due later in 2016 – more details to come.

Buy Loved Me A Man on iTunes
Stream Loved Me A Man on Spotify and Soundcloud

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