From the shores of Aotearoa to the festival stages of Australia, Kiwi collective SUB-TRIBE are making serious noise with the release of their new MANA EP, blending te reo Māori, whakapapa and contemporary bass music into a powerful new sound.
The Sydney-based seven-piece have released their first full project in more than two years, marking a new chapter in their musical journey through a partnership with Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa.
The six-track MANA EP brings together roots reggae, dub, electronic music, Afro-future R&B and house, while placing Māori identity and te reo Māori at the heart of the group’s evolving sound.
And with a sold-out Australian tour, performances alongside SIX60 and major festival appearances on the horizon, SUB-TRIBE are building momentum on both sides of the Tasman.
TE REO MĀORI TOPS THE CHARTS
The release follows the success of Te Waka, featuring Casual Healing, which has spent more than 13 weeks at the top of the Te Reo Māori Radio Airplay Charts.
The track has helped introduce SUB-TRIBE to new audiences across Aotearoa, demonstrating the growing appetite for contemporary music that celebrates Māori language and culture.
Alongside Te Waka, the new EP features recent singles For The Land and Mana, as well as the latest single Tū.
Across the six tracks, SUB-TRIBE explore the relationship between cultural identity, contemporary life and musical innovation.
While reggae and dub remain central to their sound, the group are pushing further into electronic production and bass-driven festival music.
The result is a distinctive fusion of traditional influences and modern sound system culture, with te reo Māori woven throughout.
FROM AOTEAROA TO GADIGAL COUNTRY
Formed in 2017, SUB-TRIBE have built their reputation through independent releases and extensive live performances across New Zealand and Australia.
Now based in Sydney on Gadigal Country, the collective continue to carry their Aotearoa roots and whakapapa into an increasingly diverse international music scene.
Their growing profile follows a sold-out seven-show Australian tour during September and recent performances alongside Kiwi music heavyweights SIX60.
The group have also been announced for two major New Zealand festivals in 2027 — Electric Avenue and Homegrown.
Their previous festival appearances include Splendour in the Grass, WOMADelaide and Good Love, while they have also supported major acts including L.A.B and The Original Wailers.
WHERE CULTURE MEETS THE BASSLINE
Beyond the music itself, MANA explores the experience of navigating different cultures, identities and generations.
The EP reflects the realities of an Aotearoa-rooted collective building a musical career in Australia while remaining connected to their cultural foundations.
Its closing track, Future, features a spoken-word reflection on the meeting of tradition and contemporary life.
The track brings together the themes running throughout the project — cultural connection, personal identity, belonging and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex world.
For SUB-TRIBE, those themes are not separate from their music.
They are part of the group’s identity, shaping a sound that connects reggae traditions with modern electronic music while celebrating Māori language and culture.
The release also reflects a wider movement of Māori artists taking their music beyond Aotearoa and introducing international audiences to contemporary expressions of Māori identity.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR SUB-TRIBE
The release of MANA represents another milestone for the collective as they continue expanding their audience across the Tasman.
With te reo Māori already making its mark on radio charts, growing recognition on the Australian live music circuit and major festival performances scheduled for 2027, SUB-TRIBE are positioning themselves for an exciting new chapter.
Their latest project demonstrates how Māori language, cultural identity and contemporary music can come together to create something distinctive for audiences at home and abroad.
Six tracks, one powerful message — SUB-TRIBE are carrying their mana, their whakapapa and their music onto the international stage.
SUB-TRIBE — MANA EP Tracklist
- Tīmata
- Te Waka (feat. Casual Healing)
- For The Land
- Mana
- Tū
- Future
🎧 Listen to the MANA EP, featuring the new single Tū:
https://ffm.to/mana-ep
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