A new song and music video from a previously unknown Samoan hip-hop artist has gone viral for its strong lyrics condemning Polynesian parenting methods.
NONYMYZ's video, entitled 'Love Me', has been viewed nearly 200,000 times since it was posted on Poly Rappers' Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon.
The video features violent clips from Once Were Warriors, interspersed among what appears to be homemade footage and other films.
Poly Rappers posted the video with the caption: "This song is unbelievable!!!! Many polys can relate to this. I know I do. This kid is a f***ing genius. His storytelling is so relatable. One of the best and most emotional songs I've ever heard. Period."
That post garnered more than 4300 reactions and 4700 shares - a none-too-shabby return for an up-and-coming artist who had just over 200 likes on his Facebook page just a week ago.
The hip-hop artist, who is of Samoan heritage, says the song wasn't initially something he thought hard about, and writing it simply acted "as a form of release".
"I never intended to write something like this because I knew it was a touchy subject and I didn't know how to approach it - but after hearing the beat everything just seemed to come naturally," NONYMYZ said.
"I only wanted to share my experience, I wasn't really trying to make a point. But when I look back I think I was, I just didn't know it at the time."
NONYMYZ says the point he was trying to make was that "we are a product of our environment".
Asked whether he thinks poor parenting is one of the biggest issues in New Zealand's Polynesian communities, NONYMYZ said it's primarily a problem with those who have recently moved here from the Pacific Islands.
"I think the abuse is mainly an issue with first generation NZ kids," he said.
"You have some Polynesian parents who have moved over that only know one way of life. So then it's left up to the following generations to break the cycle."
More of NONYMYZ's music can be accessed via his Facebook page.
Newshub.
