Watch Troy Kingi's Video For New Single 'Paparazzo'

Aotearoa's multi-talented musical maestro Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) embraces '80s synth-pop glory on 'Paparazzo', the lead single from his forthcoming new album The Year of the Ratbags And Their Musty Theme Songs. While you might have bopped along to the song on student radio airwaves earlier this week, Kingi's mega-catchy tune is officially out today with a blockbuster clip cramming in an entire video store's worth of retro movie references, directed by Connor Pritchard and made with support from NZ On Air. Spinning a somewhat concerning tale of "a crazed fan / journalist who thinks they know a person so well that they start to believe they’re best friends," 'Paparazzo' was co-written with Lyttelton icon (and good buddy of music journalists everywhere) Delaney Davidson, who also worked with Kingi on his Best Folk Artist Tūī winning 2021 album Black Sea Golden Ladder.

For the sixth long player in his 10 10 10 Series, (10 albums in 10 years in 10 genres), Kingi worked alongside co-producers TeMatera Smith and Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers Super Furry Animals, Catatonia, Lost Prophets, Bullet For My Valentine and Spice Girl Melanie C) to nail the '80s vibe. Taking listeners back to the year of his birth 1984, Kingi is encouraging gig-goers to dress up (dress code: '80s casual) and boogie down at his forthcoming The Year of the Ratbags And Their Musty Theme Songs release party at Tāmaki Makaurau's The Powerstation on 14th October. Secure your spot and hit play below...

Troy Kingi and the Promises - Release Show and ’80’s Party
Friday 14th October - The Powerstation, Auckland
Tickets on sale via Ticketmaster

'The Year of the Ratbags And Their Musty Theme Songs' releases on Friday 7th October — cassette/ LP through Border and available on all digital platforms, preorders HERE.