Page 45 - IB April 2023

Music Music

that are really good.” “It was an amazing experience, and I got to meet Opetaia
Ruha debuted as a solo musician in 2014. Foa’i who wrote the song [Moana’s ‘We know the way’]. I got
“I’m from the East Coast of the North Island, born and to meet all the Disney executives and sit with them in LA and
raised in my iwi territories of Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau-ā- just see from their perspective how well the Maori language
Apanui,” he says. “Where I come from plays a huge part in my and Maori culture sits into the world of Disney.”
artistry, what I write about and what I sing about. I predomi- Ruha’s music has also been a form of activism; he contrib-
nantly sing about identity, growing up on the coast and what’s uted a song in support of locals opposing the development on
important to us here – spiritual concepts, concepts of Kotahi- the Ihumatao site—a sacred place in Auckland.
tanga, unity and what those things mean to us.” “Within 24 hours I rang as many people as I could, we got
Ruha says the Maori music scene is growing. “There’s Maori into the studio just like that, I wrote that song to help instil
doing well in different spheres; [film director] Taika Waititi is belief and champion what they were fighting for,” says Ruha.
doing amazing in the work that he does – people around the “When we released Ka Manu,” says Ruha. “We released in the
world are going, ‘Aah, as he’s from Aotearoa; who else is from honour of the people who were fighting for their land rights
Aotearoa?’ Globally, people are intrigued and interested, and I and in support of them. It was also in support of our family in
think that’s contributing to Maori music growth as well. Hawaii who were at that time also fighting for their rights.”
“Also, there are movements such as Kura Kaupapa Maori, Ruha describes his music as built on a foundation of soul,
which are Maori language immersion schools where the philos- R&B and roots reggae, with an infusion of pop sensibility.
ophy and practice reflect Maori cultural values with the aim of “I had a beautiful time learning from pop writers from Swe-
revitalising Maori language, knowledge and culture. They have den,” says Ruha. “I then layer it with traditional Maori music
now grown generations of Te Reo Maori first speakers. - positioning, lyrics, rhythms and phrasing techniques. So, it’s
“I speak Maori as a first language and English as a second very, very broad.”
language, and I am part of the new generation that will con-
tinue to do so.” Preservation of society
Ruha says he wrote his first song in Te Reo Maori at the age Ruha’s latest and third album is Preservation of Society.
of 12. “I come from a family of writers and artists, of weavers “I really love this album,” he enthuses. “It’s got all the
and painters and, there is a creative outlet…[writing] in my music I’ve always wanted to release. It’s heavy R&B, soul and
language is only going to be natural.” it’s recently picked up best R&B, soul album of the year [last
The use of traditional lyrical and composition techniques, year] at the Aotearoa Music awards, which I’m really, really
and instruments such as flutes, are also integral to his art. stoked about. The themes in that album are what I always
“I’ve released a song with a group called the Halluci Nations sing about, about my history, my culture, my language and my
called Takarita. Almost the entire track is built with tradi- spirituality. I’ve done it with lots of different collaborations
tional Maori music implements. You wouldn’t be able to tell with other writers … and producer Rory Noble and, it’s the
how it’s produced. I like to take traditional things and really style of music that I’ve always wanted to release.”
stretch them and push them and then sometimes keep them He hopes to perform for a long time to come.
in the traditional form.” “I don’t put my hands to anything that I don’t think will be
successful,” says Ruha. “Every project I put my hands to is
Origins something that is burning in my heart and soul. So, everything
Before being a solo music artist, Ruha was well-known as a is really successful.
kapa haka performer. “Recently, I was part of the 50th year [celebration] of the
“I have built my career serving a kapa haka community Te Matatini, the Kapa Haka festival that happened here; my
and that has shifted and morphed into including mainstream family and my kapa haka team won the competition.
audiences now, as well as global audiences. I’m so happy that “I was part of a commemorative album which had 50 songs –
Pacific audiences are loving what I’m doing as well,” he says. [a] beautiful project – I was proud of that.
Digital platforms are also assisting, with Ruha revealing, “Last year, I also pulled together a show with the Auckland
“My music has taken off and experienced massive growth Philharmonic Orchestra, which was a beautiful show and, I’m
because of TikTok. proud of that as well.
“There is also the traditional power support that comes “And my albums, I’m proud of, as well as my work with
from radio play through the Pacific - like Tiare FM from Tahiti Disney.”
and various other platforms as well,” he says. In his home- Ruha says music is the most rewarding thing he has ever
land, Iwi (Maori) radio stations have been instrumental in done. “I do it with my entire family. I do what I do with
getting his music out to listeners. people that I love and respect. I’m really grateful for that. I
Ruha’s other projects have included translating the songs have made a living out of music and a very comfortable life
of Disney hits, Moana, The Lion King and Frozen, into Te Reo out of music in the last ten years and, [I] hope to do it for at
Maori, with a translation of Coco about to begin. least another 10 years.”
“It was a beautiful journey - again kicked off by Taika
Waititi,” says Ruha. editor@islandsbusiness.com

Islands Business, April 2023 45