Kiwi musician Stan Walker celebrates the birth of his baby and the release of album #7

Public interest journalism funded by NZ On Air

Stan Walker’s seventh studio album “All In” features local talent Scribe, Kings, Jess B and a dream collaboration with American singer-songwriter Jojo.

The track “Remember Us” is about saving the best moments in romantic relationships after they break up.

Aligning with Stan’s love life, the singer enjoys domestic bliss with his wife Lou Tyson, mother of his 6-week-old baby.

“When Lou and I got back together, we were listening to Jojo’s latest album and it was like she knew our story of how we broke up… This song is probably the biggest flexibility for me. This woman sits on the throne with Beyoncé,” Stan told a large crowd at his Tamaki Makaurau album launch party last week.

“All In” took five years to prepare and serves as a diary of the star’s life, bringing an authentic story to his music.

“Don’t be fooled by social media. Social media is not real life. I’m telling you right now. It’s real life. You can’t hide behind a filter anymore, text, great angle and great photo. This is me. This is reality.”

Proud artist Tūhoe and Ngāti Tuwharetoa takes listeners on a journey through racial issues, romance, celebrations of life and learning to be a better man.

The track “Human” had a huge impact before the album was released.

“This song is specifically for the brown men of Aotearoa. I feel like we were raised to be tough, to be faithful. Don’t cry, don’t be soft, don’t be vulnerable… This song shows how point we really are, how we really feel.

“If I have to expose my experiences, my darkness and the chasms I was in to save someone, then I will. I feel like it’s my work as an artist. Bringing hope , life, joy and healing to people… I am called to do this.

Supported by friends and whānau from across Aotearoa, the launch party was the singer’s first for any of his albums in his 13-year music career.

Her kuia, Maybelle McLeod, was thrilled to see her mokopuna perform.

“I’m so proud of him. I’m proud of where he comes from. He put all his strength into his struggles,” Maybelle said.

At the end of the evening, Stan left the crowd with a message of encouragement.

“All of our tūpuna fought and died for us to not just exist, but to be outrageous, to be amazing, to change the world! Everything they did, we are meant to do more and better .It’s my job as a pāpā, as an uncle, that my ceiling will be our child’s floor.”