Beyond the Beat Series Returns to Showcase Māori Metal and Afro Hip-Hop Fusion

Aotearoa’s music scene is set for a bold transformation as the innovative series Beyond the Beat returns for its second season on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Created and directed by Gal Hochman, the programme challenges established and emerging artists to deconstruct iconic hits and reinvent them across contrasting genres. As reported by Waatea News, the new season highlights the creative collision of cultures, generations, and musical traditions. One of the most anticipated episodes features the internationally acclaimed Māori metal trio Alien Weaponry. The band, known for integrating te reo Māori and tribal history into heavy metal, sees their track "Crown" reimagined through an Afro hip-hop lens by artists Tida and Jujulipps. This specific collaboration creates a trilingual musical exchange, blending te reo Māori, English, and Shona, a language primarily spoken in Zimbabwe. The series aims to explore the deep connections between language, identity, and cultural expression beyond standard genre boundaries. Working alongside resident producer Mazbou Q, the musicians are filmed deconstructing tracks and rebuilding them from the ground up. The process often involves rewriting lyrics and altering arrangements, capturing the raw experimentation and occasional disagreements that define true creative collaboration. Director Gal Hochman noted that the series is designed to showcase how musicians from different backgrounds find common ground through shared storytelling and emotion. Season two also features prominent Aotearoa performers including JessB, Aaradhna, Kaylee Bell, and The Black Seeds. By pairing these recognisable names with emerging talent, the series provides a platform for the next generation of artists to showcase their creativity. Supported by NZ On Air and produced by Chillbox Creative, Beyond the Beat will release five weekly episodes on YouTube, celebrating the diversity and evolving identity of the New Zealand music industry.