Rei Releases New Waiata ‘Tapu’
Tapu is Rei doing what he does best. Up tempo dancey beats, bilingual english / reo bars and infectious melodies. Featuring pasifika log drums, heavy basslines and hooky te reo samples, this tune is sure to get you in the mood for a kanikani this Matariki.
Tapu also follows up on Rei’s 2024 hit Toitū which trended on tiktok and also hit #17 on the NZ Spotify Viral chart. Rei says about the waiata:
“This is a waiata about protecting your energy, tapping into the sacred source within us all, and removing people from our circle if they don’t align with that.”
Tapu is released as Rei returns from a month-long writing and gig trip around Canada, doing collabs and performing in cities from Toronto, Vancouver to Montreal. He’s had a big 6 months, wrapping up his Aotearoa summer tour, which also followed successful showcases at SXSW Sydney, and the prestigious WOMEX in Manchester in October last year. Rei has loads more shows around the world for 2025, including a 4 date Aotearoa Matariki tour, and shows in Sydney to be announced. Stay tuned for Rei’s new album Moisturize & Decolonize releasing in October. Get on the waka!
