Welcome to Songs From The Inside, the critically acclaimed production that unlocks songs of freedom. Join leading musicians as they enter New Zealand prisons and challenge prisoners to find their song, their story. What unfolds is an astonishing journey from demons to dreams, driven by the phenomenal power of music.
Mondays 9.30pm on Māori Television
Series/Episodes
SERIES ONE >
First screened in March 2012, the inaugural series stunned audiences and redefined reality television: Four leading musicians, Anika Moa, Warren Maxwell, Maisey Rika and Ruia Aperahama enter Rimutaka Men's and Arohata Women’s prisons in Wellington, New Zealand and challenge students to find and face the music.
SERIES TWO >
Screened on 21 February 2014, Series Two pierces straight to the core, opening inside the cells and first confessions of prisoners before they meet their new mentors – Don McGlashan, Annie Crummer and Laughton Kora joining Anika Moa behind the walls of Paremoremo and Auckland Women’s prisons.
SERIES THREE >
Screening 7 September 2015, Anika Moa, Ladi6, Scribe & Troy Kingi enter the Christchurch Mens & Womens Prisons.
The Mentors (Musicians)
Ladi6
Visit WebsiteBest known for her hit singles ‘Like Water’ and ‘Walk Right Up’, Ladi6 brings hip-hop and smooth rhythms to the Christchurch Women’s Prison. With a particular flair for rhythmic beats and having many friends in the NZ music industry, Ladi6 brought the women’s songs to another level by drawing on her experience, skills and connections. A wonderfully supportive and dedicated lady, Songs from the Inside benefitted greatly from her participation in Series Three.[more]
Scribe
Well-known rapper and hip-hop artist of hits such as ‘Not Many’ and ‘Dreaming’, Scribe returned to his hometown of Christchurch to bring rap and rhythm to the Christchurch Men’s Prison. Constantly challenging the students to reach their song-writing potential, he pushed several of the students to the limit in the aim of producing the best possible song they could. Encouraging them to write from the heart, Scribe was invaluable to the Songs from the Inside team.[more]
The album
During the making of the first series, it quickly became obvious that an incredible journey through music was unfolding.
"We knew we would face barriers. But none of us could have predicted what would emerge when those walls finally came down."
Julian Arahanga, Director
It inspired Awa Films Ltd to undertake a second project, an album that would bring prisoners' songs fully into the mainstream scene. Songs From The Inside, the series soundtrack debuted at No.2 on the NZ ITunes album charts before moving to No. 1. A single track Just Like You entered the NZ Charts Top Ten. More special was that profits from album sales were donated to charities nominated by prisoners. An album of the second series will be released in 2014 from broadcast.
Songs from the Inside Volume 1
| 1 | Whakataka Te Hau - Arohata Women, Anika Moa & Maisey Rika | 01:56 |
| 2 | Fatherland - Maera | 04:14 |
| 3 | Stuck In The Rain - Mo | 05:04 |
| 4 | Absent - Hana | 04:28 |
| 5 | Just Like You - Tama | 05:55 |
| 6 | Invisible Tears - Lena | 04:13 |
| 7 | Reflections - Mo | 04:27 |
| 8 | Whaddup Wid Dat - Nelly | 04:54 |
| 9 | Today - Lena & Anika Moa | 02:44 |
| 10 | Cries Of An Unhappy Child - Nicole | 04:05 |
| 11 | Life Is What You Make It - Tama | 04:20 |
| 12 | What I Am - Maisey Rika | 05:45 |
| 13 | My Gift - Warren Maxwell | 01:33 |
Available at:
iTunes > Amplifier > The Warehouse
