Stan Walker

With close to two decades experience as an Artist, Cultural Leader and Storyteller, Stan Walker (tribe affiliations: Tūhoe, Ngāi TeRangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pūkenga, Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whakaue and Ngai Tahu) feels like it’s just the beginning. Stan stepped into the spotlight in 2009 and for the first seven years of his career, focused on exploring his sound and refining his skills as a singer and songwriter. The subsequent seven years were dedicated to deepening the connection with his cultural identity, reclaiming his life and health, and weaving this journey of reclamation into his artistic expression. Stan has never been clearer on his mission and journey saying “My purpose has always been to uplift, empower and serve the people, my people, Indigenous people. Through my music and message, I inspire to bring hope, life, healing and joy. The world needs it now more than ever”.

The Tauranga, New Zealand native who recently caught the world’s attention when he was handpicked by Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay to create the theme song “I Am” to her latest movie “Origin”, has over 400 million streams across catalogue, a plethora of platinum selling tracks and albums, and has won numerous prestigious awards across Australia and New Zealand. He has also developed an artistic ecosystem that has seen him create across numerous mediums and add Author, Actor, Business Owner, Director, Fashion Designer, Creative Director and Producer to his repertoire. His artistry has been shaped by everything he has been through, and his work is informed by a Māori and Indigenous worldview that is strongly driven by community, a view that he hopes will contribute to better outcomes for future generations.

Stan considers his various creative outputs as a journal and timeline to his life. In 2020, Stan’s biography, ‘Impossible: My Story’ was published by HarperCollins and it details the trials and tribulations he has faced in his personal life, especially during his childhood. Stan says, “This book is the memoir of the first chapter of my story, and I felt I was ready to provide an in-depth insight into my life. I knew writing this book would allow me to go deep and expose myself in ways that I’ve never done before so I could tell my truth. I hope in doing so I can help others who don’t have a voice or can’t speak for themselves. I want to show people that the impossible can become possible”.

As the creator continues this regenerative journey, he feels unapologetic about who he is and the message he must share. In paying homage to his Māori culture and tapping into the different aspects of his whakapapa (lineages), Stan finds fortification in his cultural identity, something he proudly refers to as his superpower. In this era of his artistry, he is experiencing a cultural renaissance that is reflected in his releases, forthcoming music and the varying projects he put his time and energy to. For Stan, intentionality will remain at the core and creative expression will always be an extension of the journey of finding himself.

With Stan proudly releasing new music this year, he is looking forward to breaking new artistic ground, and intends for his artistry to be a contribution to lineages of creators. With recent sold-out shows in Hawaii, and upcoming performances in Tahiti and the USA, Stan is truly stepping into his power and taking his message of love, hope, healing and joy to audiences across the globe.