Q&A: KENZIE FROM WELLY
Pōneke based hip-hop artist of Māori and Samoan descent, Kenzie from Welly is a local artist to keep your eyes on in 2022! Set to open for Che Fu’s postponed Return of the Navigator tour and receiving release support from triple j, she tells us about her latest single ‘Word To Your Mother’ and her debut album due for release this year.
WE’D LOVE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY SO FAR FROM WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED MAKING MUSIC!
I began making music with my family and still do to this day.
CONGRATS ON YOUR LATEST EPIC TRACK “WORD TO YOUR MOTHER”! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEANING OF THIS TRACK AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?
It’s the mental win before the win.
WHAT WAS THE WRITING & PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR “WORD TO YOUR MOTHER” LIKE?
Word to Your Mother was produced by my good friend Troy Samuela and was the 4th song birthed to an unexpected album. We were in a high energy space as we didn’t expect to make a whole album from scratch in 10 days.
WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS WORKING ON THE SONG?
Having fun and maintaining high energy.
DO YOU HAVE NEW MUSIC ON THE WAY SOON? IF SO, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT?!
I’m excited for my debut album to be released soon. Watch this space!
WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC?
Who I used to be and who I want to become.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU LOVE OR CONNECT WITH?
Poetik - ‘Facts’ and Amba Holly - ‘Toku Reo’.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL TO OR LOCAL SPOTS TO VISIT?
I love connecting to nature and traversing the ngahere. There are many beautiful bush walks to explore where I live.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT AS AN ARTIST SO FAR?
To continue to innovate and explore new ways of working especially with COVID in mind.
LASTLY, IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Be kind to yourself.
Thanks so much Kenzie! Make sure to keep up with her on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify & Apple Music.
