ECAL – TAKES A VILLAGE
ECAL is a Hip-Hop artist raised in Moerewa, Northland, Aotearoa, whose music reflects the experiences, values and perspectives that have shaped him growing up in rural Northland.
ECAL has recently released his album Takes A Village, featuring collaborations with producers including Ricky Paul, IAMTHEOFFICIAL and Infectiouss.
Takes A Village is a story of resilience, hope, gratitude and growth, drawing from childhood memories and experiences growing up in a rural Northland community. While, like many rural towns, Moerewa has faced its challenges, ECAL believes the positive experiences, relationships and lessons gained from growing up there far outweigh the hurdles.
The album blends Hip-Hop with a soulful R&B influence, reflecting the music ECAL grew up listening to. His sound and storytelling are heavily influenced by growing up surrounded by the Northland countryside and coastline — diving, beaches, living off the whenua and, most importantly, the importance of whakawhanaungatanga and maintaining strong connections with the people around him.
At the heart of ECAL's music is his independent label and lifestyle brand FlipsideNorty. More than just a name, FlipsideNorty represents a mindset: whatever hurdles life throws at you, find a way to flip it into something positive. ECAL believes life will always present opportunities for growth, but maintaining a positive mindset is the first step.
Takes A Village takes listeners through different chapters of ECAL's life — from childhood memories and adolescent partying phases to reflections on the people and communities that helped shape him. The album carries a strong sense of gratitude towards his whānau, friends, extended whānau, kaumātua and kuia, and the wider community who have contributed to his journey and helped him overcome challenges and gain wisdom along the way.
The title Takes A Village comes from ECAL's belief that every person he has interacted with has played a part in moulding him into the person he is today.
Music has always been an outlet for ECAL to express life through his own lens and perspective. As a Māori artist, he is passionate about Indigenous artists having the opportunity to tell their own stories and create their own narratives.
“The more of us Indigenous Māori, Pacific and Polynesian artists, the better. We get to share our own stories and create our own narratives based on what we believe and value as Native Prosperity, rather than allowing others to define our stories for us.”
ECAL's journey continues. Be on the lookout for more music, collaborations and projects from ECAL and FlipsideNorty.