Beyond The Beat with NZ On Air

Huge bangers, flipped by fresh Aotearoa talent

rova is getting Beyond The Beat this May for New Zealand Music Month.

With five iconic tracks, the next-gen sound of Aotearoa's music scene will reimagine and reinvent these songs through a fresh lens. Each week, watch as a hitmaker is paired with a breakout artist who flips their beloved song into a completely new genre, guided by visionary producer Mazbou Q.

This ain’t your average music show. It’s a sonic uprising that’s equal parts homage and bold artistic reinvention.

In 'Episode 1: $on of a Queen', West Auckland rapper MELODOWNZ flips an old insult into a heartfelt anthem for the queens who raised us, and R&B singer Reiki steps into the booth to reimagine the track with his smooth, soulful vibe. How will MELODOWNZ react when he hears the final track played live on the Mai Hot 20? Watch the episode above to find out!

Made with the support of NZ On Air

About the remake artists

Reiki Ruawai is an indie-pop artist from Raglan, New Zealand, known for his charismatic presence and genre-defying sound.
With a deep-rooted passion for crafting captivating melodies and immersive atmospheres, Reiki has quickly gained recognition as a compelling artist on the rise.
Reiki Ruawai will be giving a fresh twist to the hit song '$on of a Queen' by Melodownz.
Cee Blu is an R&B singer known for her soulful vocals and magnetic presence, while Conor Till of drum & bass duo Sly Chaos brings an electrifying edge to the stage.
After first collaborating in 2023 on the track Lose Myself, the pair are joining forces once again to reimagine a Kiwi classic.
This time, Sly Chaos and Cee Blu will be putting their unique spin on ‘Go and Be Free’ by Mazbou Q.
Hawke's Bay pop singer Liberty has been singing and writing songs since she was 13. With a rapidly growing fanbase, Liberty has clocked over 350K followers and 7 million likes across Instagram and TikTok.
Her captivating online presence has helped her connect with fans from all corners of the globe, collaborate with songwriters in America, and now will see her make her mark with an iconic Kiwi tune.
Liberty will be rebuilding the electronic hip-hop track 'Don't Worry Bout’ It' by Kings.
Cantabrian Ashy is an R&B pop artist who has competed on stages from Play It Strange, to Smokefree Rockquest, to X Factor NZ.
Recently a support act for Drax Project's New Zealand tour, it's a full circle moment for Ashy to reimagine their track with her rich vocals and lush harmonies.
Ashy will give her new take to 'All This Time' by Drax Project.
Tîmmy the First is a Zimbabwean-born, New Zealand and Canadian-raised rapper and singer-songwriter. A self-taught musician, he fuses traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds, reflecting his roots.
He's opened for iconic acts such as Savage, JessB, Gold Fang, and CHAII across NZ and Australia, but his name 'Tîmmy The First' serves as a reminder for him to take his own path and "create my own lane."
Tîmmy the First will switch up the pop track 'Seconds to Midnight' by Cassie Henderson.

The Original Artists

Melodownz is a poet, rapper, and storyteller hailing from West Auckland, blending soulful hip-hop with Pacific and Polynesian roots. Known for his introspective lyricism, he's collaborated with the likes of Denzel Curry, Lisi, and Troy Kingi, carving out a uniquely Aotearoa voice in global rap.
Mazbou Q is an artist, producer, educator and content creator of Igbo-Nigerian descent whose unique brand of Hip Hop fuses classical, heavy metal and West African Highlife influences. Known as ‘The Rap Scientist,’ he has developed a theory-based framework for analyzing rap flow, covering concepts like polymetricism, micro-timing and displacement.
Kings is a chart-topping artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Auckland whose breakout hit "Don't Worry Bout’ It” became an anthem across Aotearoa. With Māori heritage and a DIY hustle, he blends pop hooks with hip-hop swagger and has remained a powerhouse in NZ music.
Drax Project began as buskers on the streets of Wellington, developing their unique Pop RnB sound. Supporting the likes of Ed Sheeran and touring with Camila Cabello and Christina Aguilera, their recorded catalogue has over half a billion streams (and counting), with ‘Catching Feelings’ and ‘Woke Up Late’ in particular reaching US RIAA Gold.
Cassie Henderson is a singer-songwriter from Christchurch whose emotive storytelling and powerhouse vocals saw her rise through X Factor NZ to a full-fledged career. With folk-pop sensibilities and a knack for vulnerability, she’s headlined a nationwide tour and has featured in all of NZ’s favourite festival main stages.