Israel Starr & The Mighty Asterix Release “Special Selection” A father-and-son anthem over 30years in the making
When Israel Starr (Ngāti Porou )teams up with his father, the legendary Mighty Asterix, the result is something truly special. Their new single, “Special Selection”, is a powerful celebration of family, legacy, and reggae culture.
Written and co-produced by the father-and-son duo, Special Selection captures a feeling that’s been more than three decades in the making. Taking inspiration from the golden era of early-1980s reggae, the track is both a celebration and a “we’ve finally made it” moment — the sound of generations meeting in harmony.
With its warm tempo, uplifting chord progression, and soulful melodies, Special Selection feels like the start-of-summer anthem that plays just after the darkness fades and new life begins. It’s that song that hits as the sun rises again — when the world exhales.
Blending roots authenticity with Israel’s distinctive modern production, Special Selection is a feel-good reggae anthem that offers a welcome counterbalance to the world’s noise. For three minutes, it takes listeners away — leaving them with a lasting sense of hope, light, and love.
The single — released via BlessUp Music and distributed by DRM New Zealand — will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music from Friday, 14 November.
A Legacy of Sound — Israel Starr
Based in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, Israel Starr (Ngāti Porou) is a multi-Platinum and Gold-certified artist, producer, and label founder whose blend of authentic roots reggae, funk, and world music has earned him some of the country’s highest accolades — including Best Roots Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards and two-time winner of Best Reggae Album at the National Māori Music Awards.
The son of reggae legend The Mighty Asterix, Israel’s connection to music runs deep through his whakapapa and upbringing within the Twelve Tribes of Israel Rasta community. Surrounded from childhood by musical greats such as Che Fu, Herbs, and Chong Nee, he learned his craft directly from Aotearoa’s reggae pioneers — with his father as his biggest teacher and inspiration.
A child of sound-system culture, Israel’s work embodies both roots authenticity and forward-thinking production. His acclaimed 2022 album Keepers of the Flame was praised by journalist Martyn Pepperell as:
“One of the most ambitious reggae and dub albums recorded in Aotearoa since the dawn of the 21st century.”
While reggae writer The Groove Thief hailed it as:
“A true cultural and musical triumph.”
Across his career, Israel has collaborated with reggae royalty including Lutan Fyah, Luciano, Gappy Ranks, Million Stylez, Mutabaruka, and Exile the Brave, alongside Aotearoa favourites Tiki Taane, Lion Rezz, Melodownz, Awa (Nesian Mystic), Tomorrow People, and Sons of Zion.
Outside of performing, Israel runs the independent label BlessUp Music, home to 10 number-one singles, five top-ten hits, two Platinum records, two Gold records, and over 20 million Spotify streams. He was a finalist for Breakthrough Manager of the Year at the MMF Awards and continues to mentor emerging Pacific artists through production, live shows, and community work.
His track “Spiritual Healing” was featured by Sir David Rodigan on BBC Radio 1 Xtra in 2022, further cementing his place as one of the Pacific’s leading voices in reggae and Rastafari culture.
“I love making music because it’s one of the only things in my life that has no rules,” says Israel Starr.
About The Mighty Asterix
The Mighty Asterix is a pioneer and legend of Aotearoa’s reggae movement. Beginning his journey in Palmerston North in the late 1970s and rising through Auckland’s Twelve Tribes of Israel community, Asterix became known for his powerful ragga vocals and commanding stage presence. From early Deepgrooves releases and collaborations with DLT, Stinky Jim, and Unitone HiFi, to recent work with Salmonella Dub, he remains one of New Zealand’s most respected reggae voices — a foundation artist whose influence spans generations.