02, Dispatches from the block

News

The Aotearoa scene up close, the world from here, and intel for creatives building from the ground up.

All Aotearoa Scene Global Pulse Industry Intel Pacific Rising
✺ Pacific RisingNEWSThursday 16 July 2026

Letoa Drops Debut Album GLOCSTARR 2 and "RAGE QUIT" Is the One to Watch

A rule-breaking debut built on pure energy, creative contrast, and an uncompromising black-and-white vision. Tāmaki Makaurau's emerging force has arrived.

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[ Week 2-3 · 5 more ]
✺ Pacific Rising15 July 2026

Kiridox & PROD19Y: "K.I.P." Is Out Now

Written at nineteen, released after loss. Keep it Pushing is the most personal record Kiridox has put out.

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✺ Pacific Rising16 June

Stallyano × JKing: "Rain Money" is coming, a cross-Tasman Pacific link-up

Māngere's melodic rapper meets Sydney's Samoan hitmaker. Two of the most-streamed Pasifika voices on either side of the Tasman are sharing one record.

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✺ Pacific Rising12 June

Pacific Music Awards 2026 nominations are open, and the stakes are high

Over two decades in, the PMAs remain the most important platform for Pacific musical excellence in Aotearoa. We're covering every step.

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✺ Industry Intel11 June

NZ Music Month 2026 wrapped, five takeaways for creatives in Aotearoa

Over 1,000 events. International showcasing at The Great Escape. Here's what we're carrying into the rest of the year.

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✺ Global Pulse10 June

Global recorded music just crossed $30 billion, what it means for independents

The numbers are historic. The streaming economy has never been larger. But who's actually growing with it?

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✺ Aotearoa Scene09 June

Universal Music NZ launches nextWAV., a new pathway for emerging artists

A 12-month programme pairing secondary school students with industry mentors. The kind of ground-up investment our scene has needed for a long time.

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✺ Aotearoa Scene09 June

Marlon Williams sweeps the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, three Tūī, one night

Te Whare Tīwekaweka claimed Album, Single, and Solo Artist of the Year. Then Ché Fu walked into the Hall of Fame, and Dame Lynda Topp told the government exactly how she felt.

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