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In this episode, we vibe with Callum Rei from Music By Rei, an electro-haka artist from Aotearoa, New Zealand, who’s pioneering a powerful fusion of traditional Māori music and modern music.

From freestyle teenage beats to world-stage dreams, Rei's journey is a creative masterclass in courage, cultural pride, and staying true to your roots while evolving your rhythm.

Together, we explore how blending heritage with modern music genres can be a powerful force for storytelling, representation, and impact. Rei shares how music, language, and social media collide in his creative process—and how staying grounded is key when you’re making waves globally.

Episode Chapters:

The Spark of a Musical Journey
Rei shares how his teenage love for music ignited his path and how early passion evolved into a career rooted in both culture and innovation.

Electro-Haka: Blending Tradition
A deep dive into how Rei fuses traditional Māori elements with electronic beats—honoring his roots while pushing creative boundaries.

Māori Language as a Creative Superpower
We explore why language matters in music, and how using Māori language is both an artistic choice and a cultural statement.

Creative Discipline in a Digital World
Rei breaks down his process: consistency, experimentation, and building habits that fuel his artistry.

Social Media and Independent Artist Life
From TikTok to Insta, Rei talks strategy, community-building, and how to thrive as an indie artist in the algorithm age.

Indigenous Language in the Limelight
The episode dives into the power of normalising indigenous language in modern music—and how that creates ripples beyond the stage.

Grounded in Community
Rei emphasizes how connection and collaboration anchor his journey, and why building authentic relationships matters more than going viral.

Music and the Money Side
Let’s talk streams and dreams—Rei shares thoughts on monetising music, diversifying income streams, and turning your art into a sustainable life.

Festival Dreams and Cultural Representation
Rei shares future goals—from global tours to inspiring a generation of indigenous creators to embrace and celebrate their culture.

🤝 Connect with Music By Rei

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/musicbyrei/
🔗https://www.tiktok.com/@musicbyrei
🔗 https://linktr.ee/musicbyrei
🔗 Spotify: Rei

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