Teremoana Rapley Biography

Teremoana Rapley is a New Zealand singer, MC and television presenter, best known for her work in the 1990s with Upper Hutt Posse and Moana and the Moahunters. Teremoana describes herself as having "voluntarily pulled out of mainstream media with her music after realising that the industry is based on looks and not artistry."

History

Teremoana joined hip hop group Upper Hutt Posse in 1987, aged 15. She sang on the group's early tracks, including "Stormy Weather" and "Ragga Girl" and featured on the group's 1989 album Against the Flow.

In 1989 Teremoana joined Moana Maniapoto's hip hop and pop trio Moana and the Moahunters. The group released two albums, Tahi and Rua and had chart success with many singles, including "Black Pearl", "A.E.I.O.U." and "Peace, Love & Family". Teremoana's work with Moana and the Moahunters saw her awarded Most Promising Female Vocalist at the 1992 New Zealand Music Awards.

In the 1990s Teremoana also provided guest vocals on tracks from other artists, including "Sitting by the Telephone" by Unitone Hi Fi, "Body Rhymes (Protect Yourself)" by MC OJ and Rhythm Slave, "Horified One" by Dam Native and "In Summer" by David Parker.

In 1995 Teremoana turned her attentions to a solo career, releasing the singles "Beautiful People" and a cover of the Nina Simone song "Four Women", and was awarded Best Female Vocalist at the 1996 New Zealand Music Awards.

Teremoana is married to Bill Urale, who performs as King Kapisi. She has featured on his singles "Saboteur" and "Lollipop". Teremoana and King Kapisi also run The Plantation Store, which includes their Overstayer clothing range produced by the couple and their four children.

Teremoana is also known for her television presenting work. In 1995 she joined long-running New Zealand children's television show What Now as a field reporter. From 1995 to 2001, Teremoana was a presenter on the TV2's Maori youth magazine programme Mai Time.

Discography

Albums

With Upper Hutt Posse

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• Against The Flow (1989) Southside Records

With Moana and the Moahunters

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• Tahi (1993) Southside Records
• Rua (1998) Tangata Records

Singles

Year	Title	Performing with	Peak chart positions	Album
			NZ
1992	"Homegirl"	Riot Riddum Sound System	"?	Deepgrooves
1992	"Body Rhymes (Protect Yourself)"	MC OJ & Rhythm Slave	"?	What Can We Say?
1992	"In Summer I Fall"	David Parker	35	Release
1993	"Sitting by the Phone"	Unitone Hifi	"?	Non-album single
1995	"Beautiful People"		"?	Non-album single
1995	"Four Women"		"?	Non-album single
1995	"Horified One"	Dam Native	"?	Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted
1996	"Love Has No Name"	Babble	"?	Ether
2001	"Saboteur"	King Kapisi	"?	Savage Thoughts
2001	"U Say"	Del Rey System	"?	Del Rey System
2003	"Life" (with Submariner and Mark de Clive Lowe)		"?	Non-album single
2006	"Lollipop"	King Kapisi	"?	Dominant Species
""?" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards

|- | 1989 | Upper Hutt Posse | 1989 New Zealand Music Awards - Most Promising Group | |- | 1992 | Teremoana Rapley (Moana and the Moahunters) | 1992 New Zealand Music Awards - Most Promising Female Vocalist | |- | 1996 | "Give it Up Now" (Moana and the Moahunters) | 1996 New Zealand Music Awards - Best Mana Maori Album | |- | 1996 | "Akona Te Reo '95" (Moana and the Moahunters) | 1996 New Zealand Music Awards - Best Mana Reo Album | |- | 1996 | Teremoana Rapley | 1996 New Zealand Music Awards - Best Female Vocalist | |}