WAI "100%" is the debut album by WAI -producer/singer-songwriter Mina Ripia and producer/musician Maaka McGregor. WAI is the Maori word for water. Unlike anything heard before WAI "100%"' is an electrifying, inspirational statement of original Maori Waiata (music) performed in Te Reo Maori (language) whose songs and stories speak of personal feelings sending ripples and waves out to us all. Music of such spirit can only come from profound personal events. "It all happened when my Pa (dad) passed away and returned to Hawaaiki. Everything that was inside my heart - like my experiences, knowledge, my upbringing and my emotions - it inspired the creation of WAI 100%." (Mina)

The music of WAI "100%" is rich, emotional and soulful, beating with complex rhythms. Mina is joined on each song by guest vocalists singing in traditional tone, vocal patterns and harmonies. Organic, natural beats and rhythms (human breaths, insect and bird sounds), indigenous percussion (poi), and action sounds (body slaps, foot stamping, hand clapping, punches and digging in the ground with a shovel) are all incorporated and complemented by contemporary grooves. "The vocal rhythms - the rhythmic properties of the Maori language, and the poi rhythms are the root, they're in all the songs. We recorded real poi - Mina had to poi her arms off! - which gave us crazy, wicked rhythms and the language itself is very percussive. It has certain letters missing - so no sibilance or 'top end' " (Mina and Maaka).

The Maori language is crucial to WAI, and being Maori, WAI want to stimulate people to listen and understand Te Reo Maori.
"When you hear good orators in the Maori language, it's such a powerful sound, it's beautiful. We truly believe that our language has a life, a rhythm, and a groove that is 100% unique in the world. Our language is a living language, not something in a book or museum. We want to tell people about this".(Mina and Maaka).

Traditional Maori music is chant like, progressing in sections, not verse/chorus/verse/chorus - more like branches of a tree - telling stories about life. WAI utilise their ancestors methods, linking the sounds of today with the rich culture and traditional heritage of the Maori people. WAI "100%" signals the evolution of a new and unique style and sound.


Website : www.wai100.com


Contact:
WAI
PO Box 50370
Porirua 6030
AOTEAROA
E mail: wai@wai100.com

Maaka McGregor
PO Box 50370
Porirua 6030
AOTEAROA
E mail:maaka@wai100.com

Minaaka Ltd
PO Box 50370
Porirua 6030
AOTEAROA
Tel: 0064 (0)25 247 2948
E mail: minaaka@wai100.com