Te Tairawhiti has a strong creative pulse, “a heartbeat” Ruha has been aware of since growing up with his veteran kapa haka uncles, aunties and cousins at Wharekahika (Hicks Bay) and on the East Cape.
He harnesses this “knowing” for inspiration to create waiata for his children and people.
“These (songs) are for my tamariki, mokopuna and iramutu (nephews and nieces) so they know who they are, why they are and what they need to do in the future.”
The 37-year-old aims to give his people a re-energising boost through his music and to help reclaim the cultural dignity lost by many through colonisation.
“My music celebrates our identity, maintains our cultural history and pushes back at cultural oppression.”
Last year was hugely successful for Ruha. He won the Maioha Award at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards, for excellence in artistry and composition, three gongs at the Maori Music Awards, and the best Maori album award at the New Zealand Music Awards.
His success means he has been able to enjoy a full-time music career for three years, which he says has come about through the grace of God and community support, especially the kapa haka whanau who buy and promote his music.
Performance highlights last year were his first national tour and performing at the Ngati Maniapoto hui a iwi.
Being on tour was "awesome” and he can't wait to do it again. Ruha says the most awe-inspiring experience was when 800 Ngati Maniapoto people performed their iwi-anthem waiata after his show.
He imagines his debut performance at East Coast Vibes will be another great memory and is stoked to be sharing the stage with his childhood idols Black Slate and Big Mountain.
Ruha grew up listening to the groups on East Coast iwi radio, and Radio Ngati Porou was famous for “thrashing” Black Slate’s famous waiata Amigo.
