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The winner of this year’s Tui award for best Maori album says he tries to compose his waiata the Apanui way.
Rob Ruha says his whanau was born into kapa haka, and he credits Te Whanau a Apanui leader Rikirangi Gage and the late Wiremu Kerekere for inspiration and mentoring.
There was also thanks for the likes of Mairie Rika, Tama Waipara and Ria Hall for pushing him to transfer his skills from kapa haka into the recorded arena.
He says when writing he is always aware of his iwi and how it is seen in the wider world.
"We’ll write some hard-hitting issues like deep sea drilling, like treaty claims, but we will package it in a way that puts the point across that are wrapped up in melodies that are common to home but also presents it like a delicate little morsel in front of someone rather than throwing it between their eyes. That's just the Apanui way I guess," Ruha says.
As well as Rob Ruha, other notable Maori winners this year included Tama Waipara for Best Roots Album and Stan Walker for the People's Choice Award.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ROB RUHA CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjQyODA=
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