Tiki Taane, the dynamic artist from Christchurch, New Zealand, has been lighting up stages and dominating charts with his unique blend of Māori heritage and modern music. From his impactful stint with Salmonella Dub to his trailblazing solo career, Tiki Taane is a name synonymous with innovation and cultural pride!
Taane kicked off his musical journey as the lead singer and percussionist for Salmonella Dub (a legendary New Zealand band known for mixing dub, reggae, and electronica). During his decade with them, he helped drop classic albums like Inside the Dub Plates and Outside the Dub Plates, blending dub, reggae, drum and bass, and electronic beats. But Tiki wasn’t about to just rest on his past achievements.
In 2007, he made a splash as a solo artist with his debut album, Past, Present, Future. The single "Always on My Mind" quickly became a hit, dominating New Zealand’s charts. Tiki’s solo work is all about blending acoustic guitar with traditional Māori vibes and fresh electronic sounds.
Tiki Taane’s music celebrates his roots and takes things up a notch. He’s got this killer knack for blending dubstep, reggae, and acoustic vibes with epic orchestral flair.
Check out how his legacy comes alive in his albums and some of his most iconic tracks:
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Albums & Release Year |
Tracks You Gotta Hear |
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In the World of Light (2011) |
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Flux (2009) |
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Past, Present, Future (2007) |
His latest release, Ka Whawhai Tonu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), officially dropped on January 17, 2025. This cinematic score, co-composed with Arli Liberman, accompanies the historical Māori film Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End. It weaves together evocative orchestration, electronic textures, traditional taonga pūoro, and emotive vocals. The work holds deep cultural resonance, reflecting Tiki’s ancestral connection to the film’s subject, and marks a bold step into film composition.
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But Taane isn’t just a performer; he’s a trendsetter reshaping New Zealand’s music scene. He’s collaborated with artists like Tali on tracks such as "Soldiers on Fire" and "Summertime", and worked alongside Truth and Concord Dawn.
His tracks have also been remixed by talents like Pacific Heights, Sambora, and Pitch Black. Whether he's producing for others or dropping his own tracks, Taane’s influence is everywhere, always blending Māori culture with a fresh, modern twist.
Give the track with Pitch Black a listen and see what all the buzz is about:
Tiki Taane’s trophy shelf is stacked with New Zealand Music Awards, but that barely scratches the surface. Beyond the music, he’s a fierce advocate for environmental causes and indigenous rights. And those tattoos? They’re not just for show; they map out his Māori roots, his identity.
But Taane doesn’t just make noise on stage. He’s made waves on screen too. His award-winning doco Tiki Taane in Session with the CSO pulls back the curtain on his massive ‘Ōtautahi Proud’ show at Christchurch Town Hall in May 2021. It’s part live concert, part love letter to collaboration, culture, and community.
As Taane told Rolling Stone AU/NZ, working with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was beyond his wildest dreams, blending his music with orchestral magic in a truly unforgettable way.
Catch the full interview here for the inside scoop!
Tiki Taane isn’t just holding it down, he’s leveling up. Earlier this year, he teamed up with electronic collective SYNTHONY and conductor Sarah‑Grace Williams on the live single “Galvanize (Auckland Festival 2024 Live)”, featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. This explosive reinterpretation of the Chemical Brothers' classic fuses dub, electronica, and orchestral power into one unforgettable performance. Proof that Tiki thrives where genres collide.
From cinematic scores to amapiano experiments, orchestral collabs to roots-heavy anthems, Tiki keeps evolving. He’s not following the wave; he’s making it, all while staying deeply grounded in kaupapa Māori and community.
What’s next? With Tiki, it’s always a surprise, and that’s exactly the point. Whatever comes next will hit hard, feel real, and carry meaning.
<Spotify link="https://open.spotify.com/album/0HCqSwRLQpdGpA2xFnK6U1?si=GgrJCgYoQjeVnfu92d8i5g" />
Want more? Check his official website for the latest drops and live shows >>>
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