Mama, ooooooooh....
You may think you know "Bohemian Rhapsody," and you know exactly where every "Galileo" and "Figaro" and "Magnifico" lives.
And, you might.
But you don't know this song like you're about to.
Check it out here:
Wow!!! te reo Māori rendition of Bohemian Rhapsodywww.youtube.com
This Māori group sings their own version completely a cappella. Listen to it-the tight harmonies, the familiar counterpoints, and watch how into it they are.
It's truly an amazing experience.
Who are the Māori?
They are the indigenous people of New Zealand. This particular group is called Hātea Kapa Haka and they're...just amazing.
Here's another performance of theirs from 7 years ago:
Hatea Kapa Haka Groupwww.youtube.com
According to Newshub, Hātea Kapa Haka collaborated with musical artist William Waiirua to create this "Bohemian Rhapsody" entirely in the Te Reo language and as a standing tribute to Queen and to the recently released film Bohemian Rhapsody.
The group also made a video with Waiirua showing their collaboration:
William Waiirua x Queen x Hātea Kapa Haka - Te Reo Bohemian Rhapsody https://t.co/JnZQ8BopBi— Su Majestad Ishtar Bernadette (@Su Majestad Ishtar Bernadette) 1551564196
It's SO COOL, right?
Hātea Kapa Haka’s te reo #Māori rendition of #BohemianRhapsody is everything and more! Check them out… https://t.co/CW5Nf8cj2R— Sradda (@Sradda) 1550961594
@RoAnnaSylver YOU ARE MOST WELCOME <3 there is another one here too, same group I believe https://t.co/Q2QFK92upU— michelle! 🕊🍃 (@michelle! 🕊🍃) 1550832554
The group, who hails from Whangarei, performed this set live at New Zealand's national kapa haka festival, Te Matatini, in Wellington in late February.
The festival reportedly brings 46 kapa haka groups together to compete.
My Boy: "I FREAKING LOVE TE MATATINI because we are the normal. Our reo. Our fams. Our kai. Our little kids running… https://t.co/B9LT0rnthK— 2Tapu (@2Tapu) 1550911180
Here's more.
We're proud to be the core funder of Te Matatini taking place in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington for the first time… https://t.co/Qc5ZwKoPg7— Ministry for Culture and Heritage (@Ministry for Culture and Heritage) 1550717380
Celebrating Te Matatini in style with our brand new haka lanterns at the Chaffers X Cable Street intersection 🚦… https://t.co/8h3SGPz5Pv— Justin Lester (@Justin Lester) 1550633436
Celebrating Te Matatini with thousands of performers, whānau & supporters at the pōwhiri welcoming the 46 teams to… https://t.co/qBk0A8qf5j— Kelvin Davis (@Kelvin Davis) 1550633254
Tomorrow we welcome Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival which kicks off 6 straight weekends featuring 11 event days for… https://t.co/N7iTUyCEOY— Shane Harmon (@Shane Harmon) 1550644487
Perennially popular Bohemian Rhapsody saw a resurgence in sales and downloads with the release of the film of the same name. The Oscar winning film is now available here in multiple formats.
And this performance of Queen's most famous piece of music was a highlight for people this year.
This is glorious. Te Reo version of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ https://t.co/xWaDed8Tqq #TeMatatini #BohemianRhapsody— 𝚁𝚞𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚒 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚛𝚊 (@𝚁𝚞𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚒 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚛𝚊) 1550862681
@ruwanijourno @Mihi_Forbes Loved it! Such talent. So envious. Sadly, My SPM ear is not properly tuned to Te Reo. T… https://t.co/BH9O8ThA0m— Evan Yates (@Evan Yates) 1550952328
@ruwanijourno @huihoppa This is phenomenal! Loved it!— Anna Henderson (@Anna Henderson) 1550907240
@ruwanijourno @MariaSherwood2 Amazing— Smug Hermit Bastard From Papakura (@Smug Hermit Bastard From Papakura) 1550865490
@ruwanijourno Freddie Mercury I think would be wrapped at this wonderful te Reo rendition. It wasn't just the pitch… https://t.co/6XIDMJhiwn— Richard Mayson (@Richard Mayson) 1550869854
Over 60,000 people reportedly attended the festival this year.
Ngā Tūmanako from West Auckland was the 2019 winner of Te Matatini.
We love your work, Hātea Kapa Haka!
We can't wait to see what you do next!