Brutha Rodz Turns Personal Heartbreak Into A Message of Hope with ‘Mokemoke’

Brutha Rodz (Ngāpuhi, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Te Kāhui Maunga) has opened his heart in a recently released deeply personal and emotional waiata titled Mokemoke.

Since its release, the reggae waiata has begun finding its way into the hearts of listeners across Aotearoa. While the story behind it is deeply personal, its message is one for everyone to hear and find comfort in: you are not alone, you are loved, and your presence in this world matters.

The song was written during the COVID lockdowns after Brutha Rodz lost his niece, who died by suicide. Unable to leave Auckland to attend her tangihanga, he feared he wouldn’t have the chance to say goodbye. He was ultimately able to return home for his niece’s tangihanga, an experience that stayed with him and shaped the song.

“When I finally saw my niece, I broke. I didn’t know how else to process it except through music,” says Brutha Rodz.

Mokemoke is what rose out of this heartbreak, a waiata about hope and a reminder to check in on the people around us, to ask for help when we need it, and to never underestimate how much one conversation can matter. Brutha Rodz says talking openly about his own grief is part of the kaupapa.

“If sharing my story helps just one person feel seen, or gives someone the courage to ask for help, then the waiata has done what it was meant to do.”

The song was co-written with Maria Mclean (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi) from Papa’s Pack and Rei (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Pākeha) during a Precise roots reggae songwriting wānanga in Pukehina.

“Once I started to share my feelings of mokemoke and opening up, the song seemed to write itself and 90 minutes later it was complete,” says Brutha Rodz.

The music video visualises Mokemoke and carries the same feeling. Filmed inside an empty theatre at Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, Brutha Rodz performs to rows of vacant seats as a tribute to those who are no longer with us, while offering aroha to the whānau and communities they leave behind.

“Mokemoke is more than just another one of my waiata. It was born from a stage of grief but it is carried with aroha for my niece, my whānau, and everyone who needs to know they aren’t alone,” says Brutha Rodz.

Mokemoke was made with the support of NZ on Air.

If you, or someone you know wants help and support, reach out to the free helplines in Aotearoa:

– Aoake te Rā – A free service providing support and manaaki to people who have lost someone to suicide. Visit www.aoaketera.org.nz
– Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
– Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE)
– Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, webchat at youthline.co.nz, DM on Instagram @youthlinenz, WhatsApp message on 09 886 5696
– Samaritans 0800 726 666
– Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Visit mentalhealth.org.nz/helplines for a wider list of helplines.