A multiple NZ Music Award nominee, with four albums to his name, rising NZ hip hop, R&B artist Rei's latest creation is the soulful, playful 'Borderline'.
From New Zealand's North Island, 'Borderline' finds Rei leaning into his pop sensibilities with unashamedly honest lyrics."I wrote and produced this song one Saturday night when I was feeling a little lonely, wanting to be with someone but also frustrated at my reluctance to commit to another relationship," Rei says.
"It's also just a fun song, about embracing the casualness of some relationships. Not everything has to be all lovey dovey and serious.
"Sometimes we need to go through a few casual things to be ready for something more serious. And that's what this song is all about. Embracing the casual, but also kinda missing that past love."
Who is Rei? I'm a rapper, singer, producer, comedian. I'm not actually a comedian. I'm dry af. I've been writing songs since I was 13 and making beats since I was 14.
I sound like... A boil up of everything I listen to: R&B, dancehall, EDM, future bass, hip hop, rap, drill, reggae, Māori music. Chuck all that in the pot, add some salt and pepper, and some watercress, boom! You get me :)
My first gig was... My grandma and grandad's golden anniversary party. I wrote a song for them, it was called 'Grandma And grandad's Anniversary' lol.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... Rei is my middle name, it means something precious in Māori language.
In the studio I usually... HAVE FUN! That's the most important thing. To quote old mate Drizzy Drake: "The moment I stop having fun with it, I'm done with it."
If I could tour with anyone... I sit in between so many genres so this is a hard one. Maybe Post Malone or someone; someone who sits between pop, R&B and hip hop.
Social media is... A platform to showcase my lame sense of humour. And cat photos. And for people to start twerk challenges to my song, like what happened with my song 'Sweat'.
My favourite app at the moment is... This is lame, but an app on my phone that tells the tide. I just bought a kayak and I can only take it out from at high tide. It's best when high tide coincides with the sunset; friggin' BEEAAUUUTY mate.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... Sometimes I get pretty gassy before a gig. The nervous gas as I call it. So this can make for some pretty awkward moments with the sound guys etc.
Life on the road can be... Lonely. That's why I only tour with my mates, not randoms. I'll take a funny, easy going, less experienced DJ friend over a boring, stressful experienced DJ on the road always.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that our rider contains... Pineapple, cut into stars. Five-point stars. Not six point, not four point. Five point only.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Sometimes I get really excited when I'm performing and I jump off stage.
Sometimes the stage is really high, and I have this thought mid jump that I'm going to break my ankle when I land. Luckily I haven't broken anything yet, but I should probably stop jumping off stage.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band? Kanye West. I would love to have ten minute Ye rant before my set. That'd be dooope.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? London. I've been meaning to spend some time in the UK for aaages.
I love the music scene there and am very influenced by the UK drill and Afrobeat music. I dunno if I could live without a backyard though, would be a big lifestyle switch up from NZ.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? The queen, just so my granny can stop using that as a reason to tell me off for my table manners.
Again, Kanye. I think he'd bring an interesting dynamic to the table. Trevor Noah, I think he's funny af. I wonder what he and the Queen would talk about?
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I make a mean Thai green curry. Don't come if you can't handle some spice though!
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Huia feathers. I use a huia feather as my logo. They are an extinct bird that Māori used to wear as a symbol of chieftainship. The feathers cost like $8,000 now and it's a life goal to own one one day.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Thursday :)
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Vacuuming. Especially with a sh.tty cheap vacuum like ours.
Do you have any phobias? Nope, sorry lol.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? 'Dancing With The Stars'. I love dancing and it's how I got started in performance.
I started learning hip hop dance when I was nine, even did some ballroom. So yeah, 'Dancing With The Stars' would be heaps of fun.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I actually have a prank planned at the moment.
My friend works for a promotions company. I've just started a fake Instagram account filled with foot pics that I'm gonna build up a bit before I ask her to do promotions for the account. Lol. Hope she doesn't read this.
