Sub-Tribe Release New Anthem ‘Mana’
Sub-Tribe deliver their new single Mana, which serves as the title track and central pillar of their forthcoming EP.
A soundsystem-ready anthem of celebration, self-worth and cultural strength, Mana pairs an infectious club rhythm with themes of whānau, self-acceptance and ancestral pride.
The group has just been nominated for Best Māori Urban Roots & Reggae Album at the upcoming Waiata Māori Music Awards, with the new single landing in the midst of a sold-out seven-show Australian tour. The EP, set for release on October 16, will arrive after the band jumps on support duties for Six60 in Sydney.
Breaking new ground while staying grounded in their roots, Mana sees the seven-piece collective fuse a driving house-inspired groove with heavy dub elements, cascading horn melodies and ragga vocal energy. The result is a high-energy slice of global bass with its roots in Pacific soul, reflecting Sub-Tribe’s fusion ethos while retaining the rhythmic pulse and cultural grounding at the heart of the band.
From its opening chant “I’m a descendant of Hawaiki”, Mana establishes a fierce connection to origin, lineage, and resilience. The uplifting chorus calls on listeners to embrace their cultural identity (“Whaia tō mana Māori”), while the breakdown offers a universal reminder of navigation and purpose: “No matter where you are, you are guided by the stars.”
Mana is the third and final single from the group’s forthcoming EP, the title track serves as the conceptual glue for the whole project, which pushes Sub-Tribe into forward-thinking modern bass music while weaving Te Reo Māori throughout the soundscape.
Set for release on October 16 and featuring the singles Te Waka feat. Casual Healing and For The Land, the Mana EP brings together the group’s exploration of roots reggae, Afro-future R&B and bass-driven sound system culture into one cohesive body of work.
