Just a small taste of the calibre of music fans can expect from Tipene's much anticipated full length album, which is soon to be released for purchase by the general public.
It's been a labour of love and an album that draws inspiration from his children and speaks about many of his own home truths.
Tipene Harmer, from Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngapuhi and Ngāti Porou says that “being Māori I'm super proud of it, and I just really want to take it to the world, that's definitely my vision.”
Raised in Flaxmere, Tipene walked away from his job of 15 years at the local meatworks and is now producing music full time. For him, this is a journey he credits to the women in his life, especially his mother after she passed away.
The release of his most famous single ‘West Side Hori’ in 2012 is what got Tipene noticed on the music scene, landing him a deal with Empire Records.
Tipene says that “giving it everything and just going hard is basically what I want this to show, especially our rangatahi.”
Tautoko will feature 16 songs and new collaborations with Che Fu, Chong Nee and Dam Native.
Of working with such talented artists, Tipene continues on that “working with them on that level, it was like this, talking to you, very natural.”
But for now, it's going to be many long days and nights perfecting the final touches of his album before it’s release.