Following the success of his breakout EP The Flowers That Grow, award-winning genre-bending artist MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) returns with his most vulnerable work yet - I NEED U, a soulful and haunting reflection on addiction, grief, and healing. The track and music video are out today on all major streaming platforms.
Marking a shift in tone and subject matter, I NEED U explores MOHI’s personal relationship with alcohol and drugs during one of the most difficult times in his life. Drawn from the depths of pain, the song captures the emotional weight of unresolved trauma and the search for escape when the world becomes too hard to face.
Through his signature blend of R&B, soul, and lyrical honesty, MOHI creates a space where pain is met with compassion. I NEED U is a sonic confession - both a reckoning and a release - delivered with rawness, groove, and melodic grace.
The track continues MOHI’s year-long musical journey, The Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements, which began with the heartfelt Flowers in Hendo and nostalgic Just Kids. While those tracks celebrated whānau, community, and childhood, I NEED U delves inward, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the artist’s darker moments - and the growth that follows.
I NEED U is part of the forthcoming Side B of MOHI’s ongoing project, due later in 2025.
LISTEN HERE.