A casual glance behind the studio curtain has transformed into a major digital breakthrough for award-winning producer EDYONTHEBEAT and rising R&B sensation Talia Perese. What started as a viral TikTok clip showing a raw look at Perese’s vocal recording process quickly took on a life of its own, clearing over 5 million views across socials and regularly drawing 500K+ views per video.
This massive social media traction has seamlessly translated into major streaming and editorial playlist success across both Apple Music and Spotify. Fueled by the viral hype, their breakout hit “Echo” has officially cleared 1 million Spotify streams, pushing Perese’s monthly listener count past the 100K mark. With major editorial backing now cementing their momentum on both DSPs, the dynamic duo is converting casual scrollers into highly engaged, loyal fans, setting a burning hot trajectory for their latest collaboration, “Hello (Last Name),” and Edy’s upcoming producer album.

Based in the lush landscapes of Aotearoa’s South Island, Kiki Rockwell is a fiercely independent artist and producer, carving out a distinct niche in the indie-pop and dark-folk scenes. Renowned for her cinematic storytelling and haunting harmonies, Kiki has captured a massive global audience, amassing tens of millions of streams. Following the viral success of tracks like Madeline, she recently completed her highly anticipated debut tour of Europe, which saw multiple sell-out shows. With a fiercely loyal fanbase and a brilliant knack for visual narratives, Kiki is one of the most exciting, genre-bending forces in modern music.

It was a massive afternoon for the DRM roster at the 2026 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards on Sunday, June 28, hosted by beloved Kiwi icon and fellow DRM artist, Suzy Cato. Held at a bustling Tuning Fork in Tāmaki Makaurau, the celebration saw Ōtautahi duo Loopy Tunes Preschool Music take home the APRA Best Children’s Song – Primary | He Pī Ka Rere for their beautiful educational waiata, “Feed The Stars (Hautapu Song),” written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O’Connor.
Sharing the winner’s circle was the Play It Strange Charitable Trust, who was honored as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion for their 23-year legacy of empowering young New Zealand songwriters. Complete with live performances from talented tamariki and industry favorites, the event was a joyful showcase of the vibrant, thriving community shaping the future of music in Aotearoa.

Mountain Boy is proving that his latest single, Monsters is a true force to be reckoned with. Since dropping on June 5th, the indie-folk standout has rapidly generated major global momentum, clocking over 185K cross-platform streams. The track’s impressive trajectory scored a massive boost after landing a coveted spot on Spotify’s global powerhouse playlist, Coffee + Chill, instantly plugging Mountain Boy directly into its mammoth audience of over 609.9K followers. With a major playlist placement now fueling the fire, Monsters is paving the path forward ahead of his sophomore album, The Nights, dropping August 7th.

Based in Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland, Hollie Smith is undeniably one of Aotearoa’s most iconic and powerful voices, reigning supreme in the soul, blues, and jazz landscapes. Over a prolific two-decade career, she has cemented her status as New Zealand’s first lady of soul, remarkably earning four #1 debuting solo albums on the domestic charts. From her legendary vocals on the monumental, multi-platinum anthem Bathe in the River to massive collaborative projects alongside the likes of Trinity Roots and Fat Freddy’s Drop, Hollie’s rich, raw talent has captured numerous NZ Music Awards and an international fanbase. She remains a masterclass of emotive, world-class songwriting.

The DRM roster is headed across the Tasman in full force, with a stellar contingent of artists officially announced for the prestigious BIGSOUND 2026 showcase lineup. Taking over Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley this September, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest music discovery festival will feature must-see performances from a powerhouse crew of DRM-backed talent: soulful powerhouse Deva Mahal, rising indie-rock force Great South, electronic producer Late June, alternative breakout Mim Jensen, hip hop trio Mokomokai, and pop-rock artist Emerson. As global industry heavyweights and tastemakers gather for the festival’s milestone 25th anniversary, these incredible acts are primed to showcase the absolute best of Aotearoa’s diverse music scene on the world stage.

Aotearoa’s piano icon Carl Doy is taking East Asia by storm, and a powerhouse collaborative push is about to amplify his reach even further. DRM is leveraging its extensive global footprint, plugging directly into our wider network of international teams and Chinese counterparts to export Doy’s music to major local platforms like QQ Music.
The move perfectly aligns with an exploding fanbase: East Asia already commands over a third of his global streaming audience, with China ranking as his #2 market worldwide. Driven by the massive success of his interpretations of Chinese classics, led by “The Moon Represents My Heart,” which recently cleared half a million monthly streams and YouTube views alike, this cross-border synergy provides the perfect bridge to supercharge Doy’s development and bring his timeless catalogue straight to millions of eager new listeners.