TE KAAHU—a new project from Aotearoa alt-pop singer Theia (Em-Haley Walker)—exists not only to further revitalize te reo Māori for the current generation, but to remind audiences of the power in culture and connectivity. Sung entirely in te reo, Te Kaahu O Rangi is a showcase of Walker’s versatility as songwriter, storyteller, and performer.
On her first album as TE KAAHU, Walker takes a personal dive into her culture while paying homage to ancestral strength. The title of the project and album itself speaks to Walker’s artistic vision that connects music with family and culture. Loosely translated as “Rangi’s hawk,” Te Kaahu O Rangi presents two images of strength: te kaahu, the native hawk of Aotearoa, and Rangi, a shortened version of Rangirara, meaning “beyond the heavens.”
With lyrics that feature kupu whakarite, pepeha, and whakataukī (metaphors, sayings, and proverbs), she reflects on themes of grief and pain (“E Taku Huia Kaimanawa”) with the same beauty and intensity as she does female empowerment and support (“E Hine Ē”). And “Rangirara,” named after her late grandmother, is the perfect avenue for letting her vocal range and precision shine. Full of melodic warmth and depth, it’s a throwback to the waiatas (songs) of time gone by. A love letter to generations past, Te Kaahu O Rangi weaves the natural feeling of magic that permeates through te reo with diverse, immersive sounds, from nostalgic guitars and emotional piano to delicate country music progressions. Walker has compiled a collection that walks between the traditional and contemporary worlds with confidence and pride.