The music of New Zealand has been influenced by a number of traditions, including Māori music, the music introduced by European settlers during the nineteenth century, and a variety of styles imported during the twentieth century, including blues, jazz, country, rock and roll, reggae, and hip hop, with many of these genres given a unique New Zealand interpretation.
Sneaky Feelings are a New Zealand pop rock band which releases on the Flying Nun Records music label. The band formed in 1980 with the line-up of Matthew Bannister, David Pine, Kat Tyrie and Martin Durrant. Tyrie was replaced by John Kelcher in 1984. Durrant was temporarily replaced by Ross Burge in 1988 for the band's second tour of Europe.
Che Kuo Eruera Ness, better known by his stage name Che Fu, is a New Zealand hip hop, R&B and reggae artist, songwriter and producer. A founding member of the band Supergroove, as a solo artist he has gone on to sell thousands of albums both in New Zealand and internationally. Che Fu is considered a pioneer of Hip hop and Pasifika music in New Zealand.
Peter Wadams, better known by his stage name P-Money, is a New Zealand hip-hop DJ and producer. One of his best-known works is "Everything", featuring New Zealand R&B singer Vince Harder, which reached number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart for three weeks in 2008; however, he is probably best known for his recordings with Scribe, including the 2003 smash hit "Not Many". Peter Wadams is also credited as co-writer and producer on the 2017 hit "Call on Me" by Australian singer Starley.
The Feelers is a New Zealand pop rock band formed in the early 1990s in Christchurch by James Reid (singer/guitarist) and Hamish Gee (drums/guitar).
"In the Still of the Nite", also subsequently titled "In the Still of the Night", is a song written by Fred Parris and recorded by his band the Five Satins. While only a moderate hit when first released, it has received considerable airplay over the years and is notable as one of the best known doo-wop songs, recorded by artists such as Boyz II Men and Debbie Gibson. It is heard in several films, such as The Buddy Holly Story, Dirty Dancing, and The Irishman.
Moana Maree Maniapoto is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and documentary maker. Widely considered one of New Zealand's most successful indigenous acts, her music is described as a fusion of traditional Māori haka, chants and taonga puoro, with contemporary soul, reggae and classical styles. Moana was briefly married to New Zealand politician and radio personality Willie Jackson, during which time she was known as Moana Maniapoto-Jackson; they divorced in 2001. In 2016, Moana was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
James Reid is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and video producer, best known as the lead singer in the band The Feelers.
"Get Back" is a song by American rapper Ludacris, from his album The Red Light District. It was released as the first single from the album and reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2005.
Ritchie Pickett was a New Zealand country music singer-songwriter who was born in Morrinsville, in the Waikato region. Pickett has been described as one of New Zealand's "kings of country/rock".
Al Hunter is a New Zealand country music singer-songwriter whose debut album, Neon Cowboy, released in 1987, "made country hip".
Red McKelvie was a New Zealand singer-songwriter-instrumentalist and session musician who has been described as "Australasia's greatest pop guitarist".
Rapture Ruckus was a Christian hip hop and rock band from Wellington, New Zealand signed to BEC Recordings. They have released four albums: Rapture Ruckus in 2002, I Believe in 2006, Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End in 2008, and Rapture Ruckus in 2010 as debut album with BEC Recordings. I Believe won an award for Best Gospel/Christian Album at the New Zealand Music Awards, Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End debuted at No. 7 on the New Zealand album charts and Rapture Ruckus (2010) was nominated for a Dove Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album. Headed by Brad Dring, they have been a headline act at Parachute Music Festival several times and now in the US at Jesus Jam, Creation Festival, Sonshine Festival Three Rivers Festival and Festival One.
Live At World's End is the third album of the New Zealand Christian Hip Hop/ Rock band Rapture Ruckus. Released on 8 December 2008 the album it made a debut in the NZ Top 40 at #7 and #16 on the IMNZ independent chart. The album was a Live CD/ DVD of their performance at the Parachute Music festival in Hamilton, New Zealand in the January 2008 in front of a crowd of some 25,000 people. The album had two new songs "One" and "No Matter What." Brad Dring later referred to the Show as;
"It was definitely one of if not the best show I've ever had the privilege of being part of"
The 2010 New Zealand Music Awards was the 45th holding of the annual ceremony featuring awards for musical artists based in or originating from New Zealand. Finalists for the three technical awards were announced on 16 August 2010 with winners announced on 1 September, the date on which finalists for 16 'non-technical' categories were revealed. Five 'non-technical' awards were presented without a group of finalists being selected. The awards ceremony took place on 7 October 2010 at Vector Arena, Auckland. Hosted by television presenter Shannon Ryan and comedian Ben Hurley, the ceremony was broadcast on television channel C4. Various musicians, most of whom had been nominated for awards, performed songs on the awards night.
"Hip Hop Holiday" is the debut single from New Zealand hip hop group 3 The Hard Way. It reached #1 in the New Zealand singles chart and #17 in Australia. A mid-song reggae breakdown was provided by Bobbylon of the Hallelujah Picassos.
Nadia Reid is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Port Chalmers, New Zealand. She has been acclaimed for her intimate musical soundscape and unique voice, and has been described by The Guardian as "an understated, wise guide through uncertain territory" and by Revue as "allegorical and often brutally honest". Her three albums, Listen to Formation, Look for the Signs (2015), Preservation (2017), and Out of My Province (2020), have received acclaim in New Zealand and internationally.
Michael Ian Olmo, known professionally as Iann Dior, is an American rapper and singer. He is most notably well-known for his 2020 hit single "Mood", a collaboration with 24kGoldn. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his first and highest-charting song to date.
"Smokin out the Window" is an R&B, soul and funk song by American superduo Silk Sonic, which consists of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Aftermath Entertainment and Atlantic Records released the song as the third single from their debut studio album An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021) on November 5, 2021. The song, which was written by Mars, .Paak and D'Mile—who produced it with Mars—was inspired by music from the 1970s. The lyrics are humorous and describe the narrator's heart being broken by an unfaithful lover.
