September 12, 2013
Reo album long time coming
The eyes of the Maori musical world are on Hastings, where the Waiata Maori Music Awards are being handed out tonight.
The event, which includes a fashion show and a Maori music expo, has brought together youngsters starting out and old stagers like veteran Rim D Paul.
Most of his career was overseas, but he’s been living back in Aotearoa working on projects like the National Maori Choir and more recently on his first album in te reo Maori, which is a finalist for Best Maori Traditional Album.
He says it’s a long time coming.
"I was busy trying to help other people and the Maori music industry and I thought before I get a bit older, maybe I should put my voice down as a legacy if nothing else, that at 71 going on 72 I can still sing," he says.
Rim D Paul will perform at tonight’s gala awards concert, along with Mihirangi Fleming, Maisey Rika, Katchafire and others.
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