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RNZŌ performed a laidback In My Room session direct from the studio to celebrate being included in our Future of Music 2026 series.
In recognition of being one of the best rappers in current Aotearoa hip-hop, we named RNZŌ as one of 25 ANZ acts we’re excited about in 2026 and beyond.
The youngest performer at Laneway 2025 previously featured in our Up-And-Coming Aotearoa Artists series, which came ahead of the drop of his debut full-length album, RNZŌ SZN. RNZŌ’s 2025 record received rave reviews from RNZ, Sniffers, and more publications.
Just last week, we also recognised RNZŌ for his work with the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland-born ZIPS collective, or ZIPS (+++!), which he features in alongside Church, AP, deadforest and Dera Meelan, by including their ZIPS GALORE album in our Best New Zealand Albums of 2026 So Far countdown.
Read more about the collective’s album here.
In an exclusive interview for our Future of Music series, RNZŌ described his sound as “authentic, hearty, and technical.”
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He reflected on his favourite career memory so far, being nominated for Best Hip-Hop Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards. “Even though I didn’t win, it felt so good coming home to my family and showing them all that their son/grandson/cousin/nephew/brother has been recognised as one of the best in the country at what he does. That’s a special feeling,” he told us.
He also revealed what he’d like to see change about the ANZ music industry. “I would change the perception of local talents. In hip-hop, especially, there are so many people that don’t understand or aren’t as supportive as they should be in my opinion.”
RNZŌ may have missed out at the Aotearoa Music Awards, but he could win big at tomorrow night’s (August 12th) 2026 Pacific Music Awards.
The Samoan-Māori rapper is nominated in the Best Pacific Male Artist category alongside Junior Soqeta, Lepani, MELODOWNZ, Sam V, and Scribe. He’ll find out if he’s won at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre on Wednesday evening.
Watch RNZŌ’s In My Room clips above.
