LISTEN HERE - WATCH Music Video HERE
Māori artist TOHU returns with a powerful new single, “Whakapapa Driven”, featuring **A-Kla$$*. A bilingual hip-hop track infused with haka-inspired energy, the song is a proud celebration of whakapapa, whānau, and cultural identity.
“Whakapapa Driven is deeply personal,” says TOHU. “My whakapapa ends with me, and that’s why this song means the world. But my music, my reo Māori, and my story continue carrying the mana of my ancestors forward for all to hear.”
The accompanying music video brings this kaupapa to life, showcasing Aotearoa’s landscapes, kapa haka performances, and symbolic imagery of kākano — the seed representing the continuation of Māori identity and culture.
Produced by Nextwavez, recorded at Studio 11B, and mastered at KOG Studios, Whakapapa Driven combines hard-hitting beats with deep lyrical storytelling. The track honours the strength of tūpuna while carrying forward the richness of te reo Māori and the resilience of whakapapa.
This release is proudly supported by Te Māngai Pāho and will be available on all major streaming platforms.
ABOUT TOHU
TOHU (Tamarakau Hiini) is a Māori musician from Te Araroa/Hicks Bay, of Ngāti Porou and Te Arawa descent. His sound blends rap and melodic vocals with bilingual storytelling, weaving together contemporary hip-hop and deep cultural roots.
With previous charting singles including Nōku Nei Te Aroha (#19 Hot NZ Charts) and Tū Mai Te Reo (#9 Hot NZ Charts, #3 Reo Māori Charts), TOHU has established himself as a unique voice in Aotearoa’s music scene. Whakapapa Driven is his boldest release yet — a statement of cultural pride and ancestral legacy.
Through waiata, TOHU carries the stories of whānau, whenua, and whakapapa forward, connecting generations with music that is both modern and timeless.
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