Rei Unveils New Single ‘Never Ceded’
Never Ceded is Rei’s most unapologetic release to date. A fierce landback anthem built on Ruaumoko bass, haunting mōteatea samples, haka-inspired rap delivery and razor-sharp lyricism, the single is a powerful reminder that rangatiratanga has never been ceded.
The song first came from a writing session in Vancouver with Canadian producer Nathan Chiu before being completed back home at KOG Studio in Aotearoa alongside long-time collaborator and engineer Chris Chetland. Blending traditional Māori elements with heavyweight contemporary production, Never Ceded sits at the intersection of indigenous resistance and modern hip hop.
“It’s funny how I had to travel to the other side of the world to write one of my most unapologetically Māori songs. Being away gave me a fresh perspective on home. It reminded me that te ao Māori is one of the most unique and beautiful cultures in the world. I wanted Never Ceded to sound like that – to carry haka, mōteatea and taonga pūoro into a modern hip hop record.”
Known for weaving kaupapa Māori throughout his music, Rei continues to push the boundaries of indigenous hip hop while remaining firmly grounded in his own whakapapa. Never Ceded follows the success of recent singles including Haka Through the Pain, which landed on Spotify’s New Music Friday and Local Hype playlists, amassed hundreds of thousands of social media views, and reached #10 and #12 on the Official Aotearoa Hot Singles Chart. It also builds on the momentum of Toitū, which became an anthem during the nationwide hīkoi movement and reached #17 on the NZ Spotify Viral Chart.
Following collaborations with indigenous artists from Canada and Australia on tracks including Still Here, Native Worldwide and Shark, Rei once again draws inspiration from the global indigenous movement while remaining deeply rooted in Aotearoa. Written across two sides of the Pacific, Never Ceded speaks to a kaupapa shared by Indigenous peoples around the world: the enduring connection between people, whenua and identity.
About to embark on his 6 date Canada tour for August, Rei continues to establish himself as one of Aotearoa’s leading indigenous voices, creating music that is equally at home on festival stages, protest lines and playlists alike. Bold, uncompromising and impossible to ignore, Never Ceded is more than just a song – it’s a statement.
