Masterton son Kaleb Vitale - aka K.ONE - is on the verge of releasing his debut album after rocketing from work in a Wairarapa forest 18 months ago to life as a breakout Kiwi hip-hop star.
Vitale, who is now touring the North Island, said from the road outside Taupo yesterday there was "a slim possibility" he would stage a performance in Masterton in support of the album, Far From Home, set for release on October 10.
The 25-year-old was now completing a series of shows taking in high schools, promotion events and a performance for the New Zealand army at Waiouru, he said.
Some of the tracks on the upcoming album first took shape in Masterton earlier this year, he said, and all 13 cuts were recorded over a fortnight at the studios of the Warner Music affiliate label, Illegal Musik, in Auckland.
"The album is more than just radio friendly. I got to do what you can't do with singles or, at least, what I wouldn't have otherwise been able to do."
Vitale said he was humbled to have guest artists record for the debut, which was a payback of sorts after his "countless" appearances in singles and videos for fellow artists including Vince Harder, DJCXL, Erakah, JR & Mareko, Tyson Tyler, Young Sid and J Williams.
"Everything was done from scratch, and I'm happy as with what we've made. And it's always a privilege to be involved with other people. There was no stand-out event making the album. I enjoyed the whole experience - turning up every day, wondering what was new or what we laid down last night sounds like."
Vitale's break-out tune, Night of Your Life, last year set him alongside labelmate J Williams at No 4 on the New Zealand Top 40 Charts within a week of its release.
The song shared chart space with another Vitale-penned song, Walking Away, featuring OpShop singer/songwriter Jason Kerrison, which peaked at No 38. Illegal Musik describe Vitale as one of their "hottest finds" on their website, boasting of his lightning-fast success since last year.
That's also included the release of his street mixtape, Welcome to the Bright Lights, and his single, Never, featuring Junipah.
Vitale has two young daughters, Dream and Summer-Jade, and came home to Masterton during the last school holiday break to be with family and friends.