To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) 2024, running from September 14th-21st, Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s Song You Need to Know series is spotlighting a new up-and-coming Māori artist each day.
After years of helping others with their waiata in te reo Māori, TAWAZ has dropped a fresh new tune of his own.
He’s pushed through some writer’s block to create “Tātarakihi,” which means “cicada,” and is part of the 2024 Waiata Anthems Programme.
“It’s a little more difficult to focus on writing my own songs. I took off my language expert hat, my waiata expert hat, and put on my TAWAZ hat,” TAWAZ admits in the song’s mini doco.
“I managed to carve out some time for myself and sat outside on the veranda. I finally found the time to sort through all the ideas swirling in my head. I reflected on the lessons we learned from Maisey Rika. To be in harmony with nature and to truly listen to it. So I sat with myself, shut my eyes and suddenly I heard… the sounds of the cicadas. From there I found the rhythm for the song.”
The results are impressive. “Tātarakihi” comes through with big, bright arrangements and soulful touches, plus some extra depth from fellow Māori artist Mohi, who was also featured in yesterday’s Song You Need to Know.
TAWAZ describes “Tātarakihi” as a “love song, a dance tune, a summer jam.” When asked who it’s for, he laughs and says, “It’s for the people… but I love it, so it’s for me too.”
Tawaroa Kawana (Rangitāne), known as TAWAZ, hails from Palmerston North. He’s a dedicated Māori artist who promotes te reo Māori through his music, working with big names like Stan Walker, Jackson Owens, and Sons of Zion.
His contributions have earned him the Mana Reo and Best Māori Artist awards at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards. Besides his music, Tawaz is a respected language expert, helping other artists with waiata in te reo Māori.
AWAZ and Mohi Allen’s “Tātarakihi” is out now.
