Artist
Ria Hall
[Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato]
Born and raised in Tauranga, bilingual singer Ria Hall has a background in kapa haka. After time fronting reggae band Hope Road, she released an award-winning solo EP in 2011. Six years later she completed the highly anticipated Rules of Engagement, which sprang to number one in the Kiwi charts in its first week of release. The concept album focuses on the Battle of Gate Pa in 1864; it includes contributions from Che Fu and Tiki Taane. In 2018, Hall was named Best Māori Female Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards. Manawa Wera, her 2020 follow-up, features more high profile collaborations, including music with Rob Ruha and L.A.B.
