Christchurch-based duo Dillastrate has launched their latest bilingual single “Holding On,” a catchy tune with a serious message about Māori men’s challenges in the modern world.
Longtime musicians Tim Driver and Henare “H” Kaa, Ngāti Porou, have collaborated on musical projects since 2006.
Tim Driver, a tangata tiriti and keen student of te reo, says the language is a core part of Dillastrate’s kaupapa.
“It’s part of our wider mission really, is we want to try to produce music with reo Māori kupu – and try to normalise the te reo… get it out there as much as we can. And just enjoy it, it’s a beautiful language. So, we really want to get people out there singing along,” says Driver.
Dillastrate is known for blending genres from reggae and country to pop and drum and bass, all of which feature on their latest album Pounamu.
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