Greatsouth Lands Spot on Spotify’s Waiata Reo Māori Cover Rotation Following Standout BIGSOUND Showcases

Rising Aotearoa artist Greatsouth, the project of Papakura-based musician Payton Taplin (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa), continues his rapid momentum as he joins the 6-artist rotation for the front cover of Spotify’s flagship Waiata Reo Māori playlist. The placement highlights his breakout track, It’s getting hotti – demo, an intimate, raw cut that has resonated with audiences globally.

The playlist cover co-sign comes on the heels of Greatsouth’s successful showcases at BIGSOUND 2026 in Meanjin/Brisbane. Bringing his genre-bending sound across the Tasman, Taplin’s live performance captured international industry attention, marking a major milestone in his broader Australian and global media push.

Rooted deeply in place, the project blends indie rock, taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments), and field recordings gathered throughout Aotearoa to examine whakapapa (ancestry), indigenous identity, resistance, and the physical environments that shape us.

Greatsouth’s rise has been backed by significant critical and commercial traction. Anchored by a lead single shortlisted for the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award, his catalog has amassed over 340,000 Spotify streams over the past 12 months alone.

With album touring underway and an expanding international footprint, Greatsouth stands out as one of Aotearoa’s most vital and uncompromising modern alternative voices.