Ria Hall
With the release of her debut self-titled EP in 2011, Ria Hall became a blazing female force on the NZ music scene. Winning multiple awards and critical acclaim, her sound fused furious hip-hop beats and richly layered vocals in te reo Māori and english, creating an epic soundscape that embraced and challenged multiple genres. Her background is entrenched deeply in traditional Māori performing arts having spent the best part of a decade with the iconic Te Waka Huia.
October 2017 saw the release of her highly anticipated concept album entitled Rules Of Engagement - a work heavily based on the New Zealand Wars of the 1860’s, and in particular the Battle of Gate Pā which took place in her tribal home land of Tauranga Moana. In its first week of release, it debuted on The Official New Zealand Music Charts at #1.
In 2018, Ria took home Best Māori Female Artist at the Waiata Māori Music awards, and the prestigious Maioha Award for composition excellence in te reo Māori with her powerful performance of ‘Te Ahi Kai Pō’ at the APRA Silver Scrolls.
February 2020 saw the release of ‘Manawa Wera’, inspired by Hall’s own personal journey, as well as the current political climate across the globe. It is a collection of songs that speaks directly to her views, vision and experiences:
“From the outset our intention was to ensure the mana of Aotearoa reggae was upheld, preserved and given an opportunity to prosper from the perspective of a wāhine Māori,” she explains.
“These are songs of hope, faith and love, which will never go out of style. If you can feel the genuine intention of this album through its music, the reggae rhythm pulsates through your bones and the messages hit your heart - our work is done.”
The album was recorded alongside Laughton Kora and Dr Lee Prebble at The Surgery Studios in Wellington and features Troy Kingi, Rob Ruha and members of L.A.B, Trinity Roots, Katchafire and Sons of Zion. It also features the exquisite artwork of legendary artist Robyn Kahukiwa.
Ria Hall is a fearless female artist with resolute ideas for the future of New Zealand music: “There is so much richness that Māori music can take to the world. We haven’t realised our own potential - and that’s exciting”.
The Garden Party appearance
2.30pm, Soundshell, Wellington Botanic Garden (with Leonie Hayden)
Ria and Leonie will talk about Ria’s songwriting and work as an artist in Aotearoa.