In the midst of summer 2012, multi-platinum New Zealand Maori singer/songwriter Awa was deep inside his new EP HEARTBEAT. Floored over by the long days and warm nights, he found himself in his words, "The happiest and most inspired I'd been in a long time". As such he chose to play tribute to this with seven naturalistic new songs written around the themes of, as he puts it, "Love, Aotearoa and enjoying life."

Coming off the back of his New Zealand Top 40 certified debut EP NATIVE INTEL (sung in Maori and English), substantial radio success in Hawaii over the last twelve months, three Maori Music Awards and the APRA Maioha Award for his song 'Matahiapo', Awa was primed.

Over eight months of home studio recording sessions and reflection, HEARTBEAT came together, song by song, collaboration by collaboration. Working with Kiwi legend Che Fu ('Papatuanuku'), rising Hawaiian diva Anuhea ('Perfect Day'), grimy voiced Hamilton rapper JB ('Love You Better'), Nesian Mystik super producer David Atai, beatmakers Kase and Ali Toto and reggae stalwarts House of Shem ('Back in my Life' & 'Home'), as well as musicians Phil Crown, Thabani Gapara, Heath "Haka Boogie" Manukau and Dylan Elise, he's crafted a distinctively Nesian hybrid of RnB, Reggae, Dancehall Ragga and hip-hop, all delivered straight from the heart.

Tracklisting

Papatuanuku (Full Version) Perfect Day (Full Version) Never Never Kudeta Love You Better Back In My Life Home (Aotearoa) Moments - BONUS TRACK