RNZ: Music 101

We warm up for the release of Cuz I Love You, the third album from booty-shaking self-loving flute-tooting star Lizzo, get tantric with Rosie Lowe, swept away by the charms of Argentinian trio Fémina, and bewitched by folk-rockers Big Thief.

On this week's Pocket Edition we talk to DJ IllBaz ahead of his performance at the Aroha Nui Christchurch benefit shows, and country music critic Grady Smith tells us about the recent collision between country and hip hop.

Controversy erupted this week when 'Old Town Road' by Atlanta Rapper Lil Nas X was removed from the Billboard Country charts for not being Country enough. Yadana Saw talks to country music critic and former music journalist Grady Smith about the controversy surrounding the decision and what makes a song 'country'.

Karyn Rachtman is one of the most influential music supervisors in the world, due to her work on film soundtracks including Pulp Fiction, Boogie Nights and Moulin Rouge. Joining us for the RNZ Music Mixtape, she shares five of her favourite songs.

Saffron Guinness talks to Yadana Saw about the history of the Leigh Sawmill Cafe. After 22 years of being owned and operated by the Guinness family, the Sawmill Cafe is changing management. To celebrate the end of an era and the start of a new one, Saffron is producing a documentary about the history of the storied NZ music venue.

Singer/Songwriter Louis Baker plays his new song 'The People' live in the Music 101 studio and talks to Yadana Saw about filming the video for the song in Newtown.

Viral pop songstress Theia is about to release her new EP Not Your Princess, she speaks to Yadana Saw about growing into her music career.

The Song Crush team this week listen to new releases ranging from homegrown, colloquial hip-hop to grown-up love songs, Japanese indie pop to British Brexit music.

In this week's Pocket Edition we catch up with Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, Pop songwriter Jenna Andrews, and local dub merchant Christoph El' Truento.

Christoph El' Truento is perhaps best known as the beat-making brains behind hip hop outfit @Peace, as well as lending his skills to the likes of Homebrew and Avantdale Bowling Club - to name a few.