New Zealand’s soulful powerhouse TEEKS (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) is once again proving that great music knows no borders.
The artist’s deeply moving ballad “First Time” was performed last night on American Idol by fan favourite Jamal Roberts, delivering a standout, emotionally charged performance that secured him the win—and brought TEEKS’ songwriting to millions of viewers on a global stage.
The performance wasn’t just a win for Roberts. It marked a major international moment for TEEKS, whose emotionally rich catalogue continues to ripple far beyond Aotearoa.
Reacting to the moment, TEEKS shared the Idol clip on his Instagram, praising the rendition and quietly acknowledging the song’s growing reach outside of New Zealand.
“First Time” originally appeared on TEEKS’ 2021 debut album Something To Feel—a platinum-certified release that topped the charts and helped position the singer-songwriter as one of the most captivating voices in New Zealand music. Since then, his music has not only filled theatres but gone viral across short-form video platforms, racking up over a billion views.
The Idol moment comes as TEEKS prepares for a sold-out, one-night-only performance at Auckland Town Hall on June 5th, as part of the Auckland Winter Series. He’ll be joined by a string sextet and piano, offering an intimate reimagining of his discography… and possibly a sneak peek at what’s coming next.
In November 2024, TEEKS ushered in a bold new era with the release of “Red Light”, his first single in three years. Seductive, slow-burning, and laced with vulnerability, the track sees TEEKS stepping further into his own identity. “I wanted to come back with some subtle heat,” he said at the time. “Something intentionally seductive.”
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“Red Light” also signalled a return to writing with a fresh mindset. “I entered this writing phase with my heart and mind wide open,” he said. “With a playfulness and a curiosity to understand myself better, to pay attention to my body and my senses, but also just to have fun and fall back in love with the process of creating.”
The song was co-written and produced with Rory Noble, and accompanied by a visualiser shot in Tāmaki Makaurau with long-time collaborator Ray Edwards, capturing its hypnotic, late-night energy.
TEEKS is currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming body of work—a project that’s expected to land later this year. Though details remain under wraps, the Idol spotlight has only added to the anticipation, reinforcing what Aotearoa already knows: TEEKS is ready for the world.
Whether he’s performing in te reo Māori, filling iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House, or sharing quiet wisdom about Indigenous identity and healing through art, TEEKS carries with him an unmistakable gravitas. And if last night’s American Idol performance is anything to go by, the rest of the world is finally starting to catch up.
