New tracks from Lisi, Uts, La Coco, Kyla Greening and more on Native Tongues

This week on Native Tongues we check out new tracks from Lisi, Uts, Chris RL, Phodiso, Lion Rezz, La Coco & Oceans Before Me PLUS new artists JP, Kyla Greening and SOUNDPROPHETZ.

New Zealand-born, Goodna-based rapper Lisi has released his debut album ‘Perspective‘. Check out the latest video ‘Baby We On ft. EJ’.

More Native Tongues favourites, Uts, has dropped a brand new track ‘IM JUST SAYIN (feat. Prod. Swayze)’.

Chris RL with ‘HEROIC’ – ‘This one is special. Produced by @prod_by_kay.dub Featuring the bro @siddiamond 💎 this song is for my hometown, or for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances, or environment✊🏼 we can all get to where we’re going if we just stay focused and don’t fold. Here’s to the heroes”

Botswana-born, Auckland-based hip-hop artist Phodiso drops his newest single ‘Rough’, the second from his upcoming EP, ACT III. The track expertly explores the phenomenon of trying to run away from one’s problems, before coming to the realisation that the only way out is through.

Lion Rezz is back with a brand new single co-produced by himself and Chong Nee, ‘Rockin’ is a throwback to Jamaica’s original Lovers Rock vibe. The growing pedigree of Lion Rezz is undeniable and after collaborating on ‘Runtingz Anthem’ which received over 320k streams in under a month and went Gold in 2020, also receiving gold status with his debut single ‘Do Anything’ off his debut EP ‘A Lions Worth’ – the future success of’Rockin’ is guaranteed.

SOUNDPROPHETZ brand new single ‘South Side We Rise’ features a stacked line up of features – S.A All STARZ, Churchaboya, J HU$TLE, bKIDD, GiantKilla, LIVELY, Zacnon and Cyeliss. Hoping there’s a music video in the making!

‘Pull Up’ is the perfect teaser for what’s to come from South Auckland emerging Artist ‘JP‘. Produced by the talented Abraham Kunin (Teeks, Home Brew, Phodiso, Freddy Reynold), the track hat tips to some of JP’s favourite artists growing up such as Usher, Craig David and even Destiny’s Child, while locking into a beat and groove set on seducing contemporary audiences. JP was the opening act for international award-winning icons Eric Bellinger and Sean Kingston, as well as executing a SOLD-OUT season for his 2020 debut theatre show “I AM | THE SHOWCASE”. JP is a triple threat. As a Law & Arts graduate from the University of Auckland, a TVNZ Popstars Top 12 Finalist and, more recently, an Actor, saying that JP is diverse is an understatement. 

It’s been 3 years since we heard from JP as a recording artist. When asked about his return he said: “I needed to experience a few hardships to become resilient enough to carve out my own path in this industry. I’m now more confident in my talent, uniqueness and vision. I wasn’t ready earlier, but I am now.” 

Another artist new to the Native Tongues rotation is Kyla Greening, an R&B/Soul artist based in Cambridge with her debut single ‘Rich Girl’.

Prominent soul artist and Waiata Maori Music Award winner La Coco shares her latest single, ‘Collide’, an ode to the strength of Polynesian women, their will and sense of purpose.

“In the song you hear biblical references, like the moving of mountains, stopping of floods and famine, the calming of storms. I use these as an analogy, a comparison to what our women were doing at the time and to this day, but in her physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms of her being.

She who carries and wears the scars of sacrifice. She in her mind constantly battles her own demons and then fights those of her loved ones. The emotional energy and space given time after time. She remains strong and continues to find purpose and move forward.

The beginning line comes in strong, describing what was going on for our people at the time of the Dawn Raids, then strongly states what we continue to do, both then and now.

My music is open to one’s own interpretations, which is the beauty of music. Listen, and let it move and speak to you however you see fit.”

Having recently undergone a mentorship with the Polynesian Panthers, and as part of the Oceans Before Me project, ‘Collide’ will lend itself not only to La Coco’s upcoming EP, ‘Too Far Gone’, but also to ‘Daughters of the Dawn‘, the upcoming Oceans Before Me album due for release in November.

Native Tongues is a one hour show of new music from local artists curated and hosted by Yannika. Big thanks to NZ On Air Music. Tune in every Monday 3pm-4pm. Launched in late 2011, Native Tongues is a show dedicated to uncovering the freshest in underground music from Aotearoa. From bedroom producers who are just starting out through to artists with multiple releases on international labels, Native Tongues showcases the true sound of the underground. Native Tongues highlights new music & new artists to the show each week, focusing more on emcees, beat makers, producers & electronic music.