Troy Kingi is one of Aotearoa’s most prolific and conceptually ambitious songwriters, known for his genre-spanning vision and deeply personal lyricism. Of Māori (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) and Pākehā descent, Kingi has built a body of work defined by narrative strength, cultural grounding, and musical versatility. As the principal writer behind his celebrated “10 | 10 | 10 Series”, a project to release ten albums in ten genres over ten years, Kingi has demonstrated remarkable range, crafting songs that move fluidly between psychedelic rock, folk, soul, funk, country, gospel, disco, and synth-driven soundscapes. His songwriting is marked by vivid storytelling, emotional honesty, and a fearless embrace of stylistic reinvention.

Kingi writes the vast majority of his own material, blending introspective reflection with sharp social commentary, often drawing on personal history, fatherhood, identity, and te ao Māori. His songs balance melodic accessibility with conceptual depth, pairing hook-driven arrangements with lyrics that feel both intimate and expansive. His ability to inhabit different sonic worlds while maintaining a distinct narrative voice has become a hallmark of his writing.

In addition to his solo catalogue, Kingi is a respected collaborator, co-writing with producers and musicians across Aotearoa’s music community while maintaining a clear authorial stamp. His songwriting has earned widespread critical acclaim and major industry recognition, reinforcing his reputation as one of New Zealand’s most important contemporary composers. Whether crafting cinematic, psychedelic epics or stripped-back acoustic reflections, Troy Kingi’s songwriting stands out for its ambition, cultural resonance, and unwavering commitment to storytelling.