Award-Winning Musician MOHI Shares Raw New Single I Need U, Out Today
Following the success of his breakout EP The Flowers That Grow, award-winning genre-bending artist MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) returns with his most vulnerable work yet – I NEED U, a soulful and haunting reflection on addiction, grief, and healing. The track and music video are out today on all major streaming platforms.
Marking a shift in tone and subject matter, I NEED U explores MOHI's personal relationship with alcohol and drugs during one of the most difficult times in his life. Drawn from the depths of pain, the song captures the emotional weight of unresolved trauma and the search for escape when the world becomes too hard to face.
Through his signature blend of R&B, soul, and lyrical honesty, MOHI creates a space where pain is met with compassion. I NEED U is a sonic confession – both a reckoning and a release – delivered with rawness, groove, and melodic grace.
The track continues MOHI's year-long musical journey, The Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements, which began with the heartfelt Flowers in Hendo and nostalgic Just Kids. While those tracks celebrated whānau, community, and childhood, I NEED U delves inward, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the artist's darker moments – and the growth that follows.
Director / Producer: Luke Penney
Director of Photography: Luke Stockman
Art Director: Jordan jtl Tarpett-Lee
Art Assistant: Tarquin Slater
Art Assistant: Alice Bratley
Gaffer: Julian Wagner
Lighting Assistant: Benjamin Annabelle
1st AC: Joey Leu
2nd AC: Kirill Griffen
Colourist: Devan Narsai
Stylist: Gee Pikinga
Stylist: Chontaine Thompson-Pirake
BTS: / jakodvisuals
Camera Package: Gear Room NZ
Made with the support of NZ On Air
I NEED U Single Credits:
Written by: MOHI
Produced by:
Mixed by: BHaru
Mastered by: KOG Studios
Backing Vocalists: HOPE
Distribution: PRECISE
ABOUT MOHI
Hailing from the urban streets of Henderson, West Auckland, award-winning Indigenous artist MOHI is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. His music weaves Te Reo Māori and traditional Māori storytelling with English lyrics and urban influences, creating a unique and visionary sound.
With whakapapa connecting to Te Tai Tokerau, Tauranga Moana, and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, MOHI's journey is deeply rooted in his Māori heritage. Since launching his solo career in 2020, MOHI has grown to become a household name.
With a string of chart-topping hit singles under his belt, MOHI's music has struck a chord with listeners from all walks of life across the globe. His latest project 'The Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements' has already seen two singles topping the NZ Music Singles Charts 2024.
Last year, MOHI won the Best Te Reo Māori Album and Best Male Artist at the Māori Music Awards 2024. MOHI was also nominated for the 'Best Māori Artist' and the 'Mana Reo' awards at this year's Aotearoa Music Awards 2024 and clinched the coveted APRA MAIOHA AWARD for his waiata 'Me Pēhea Rā.'
In May 2025, MOHI took the first showing of his latest project 'The Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements' to FOCUS International Showcase Festival in Wales and in June of the same he performed his latest single Starry Skies as part of Matariki Mā Puanga, Aotearoa's official Matariki broadcast.
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