Indigenous rangatahi create a song with the sound of 'Revolution'

“You can be the revolution, the revolution starts with you.”

Those are the words of TY, the proud Māori vocalist behind Revolution - a new song created by rangatahi, for rangatahi.

Brought together through Te Karanga Charitable Trust’sBridge the Gap initiative, Māori and Pacific artists TY, pRieZt, and BRDG3 have created more than just a song.

Revolution sits at the heart of Youth Week’s theme: Our voices matter! We deserve to be heard | Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi.

Poet, rapper, and tusitala (storyteller) BRDG3 joins his collaborators on Pacific Days, saying the project became a space for shared experience and collective expression

“When we came together to discuss how we can put our own stories within it,” he says. “A lot of the topics that came up were these perspectives of activism and speaking out, giving space and taking space.”

Watch TY, pRieZt, and BRDG3's full interbiew below.

“Revolution just became this anthem of uplifting our youth, as well as being able to share our own personal stories through the vehicle of music.”

The trio speak on the creative process, which almost meant vulnerability. Each artist brought their own lived experience into the studio, shaping verses that reflect identity, struggle, and hope.

For rapper pRieZt, his verse carried the weight of losing a close friend to suicide.

“I was trying to get my verse down, but my pen felt heavy,” pRieZt says. “I couldn't do anything. But I did in the end, for my friend.”

The trio were mentored by Tom Scott and Harry “Haz Beats” Huavi from the hip-hop band, Home Brew.

pRieZt says the experience gave him space to feel understood.

“I don't always feel like I belong in places, to be real with you. But over time, I learned maybe I am worthy,” he says.

Alongside healing, the song is also a strong celebration of identity and cultural pride.

TY, who hails from Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, says Revolution speaks directly to youth in Aotearoa who feel disconnected, unseen, or unheard.

“It's about cultural identity, because I am Māori, and I'm very, very proud to be Māori,” she says. “I'm trying to inspire rangatahi who are Māori to be passionate about who they are. This is the message that we're trying to get out to you, that you deserve to be heard.”

With international stages already in their sights, the artists say their focus is on encouraging other young people to create without fear.

BRDG3 says the key is simple: “do it because you love it”, while pRieZt challenges youth to reject complacency:

“My biggest fear is living a life that has no meaning,” he says. “if there's something that you want to do, do it, bro.”

TY’s final word is an ultimate call to action for indigenous and Pacific youth in Aotearoa and beyond: to dream without limits, knowing that every step forward is a step towards their full potential.

Revolution is available on all music streaming platforms.