Randa (rapper)

For other uses, see Randa.
Randa
Also known asLarz Randa
Mainard Larkin
GenresRap
Hip Hop
Years active2012–present

Mainard Larkin (better known by their stage names Randa and Larz Randa) is a rapper and recording artist.

Randa is best known for their song "Rangers", which is used on a TV health promotion ad in New Zealand called "Go the distance". The video was a marketing campaign that aimed to contribute to changing New Zealanders alcohol consumption behaviour from the current norm of high-risk drinking to one of moderation.[1] One of biggest moments of Randa's career was performing at the Auckland Big Day Out 2014.[2]

Randa identifies as transgender and non-binary.[3][4][5][6]

Air New Zealand

In 2018, Randa was featured on an Air New Zealand safety video alongside Julian Dennison, Kings and Theia.[7] In the video, the New Zealand musicians were rapping and singing to a song they created called "It's Kiwi Safety".[8] The music adapts two songs, Run-DMC's It's Tricky and In the Neighbourhood by Sisters Underground.[9] The video took nine days to record, shooting all across New Zealand. It is the 18th of Air New Zealand's safety videos, which started in 2009.[10] The video was dumped by Air New Zealand after only three months due to public criticism.[11]

Personal life

Randa was educated at Carmel College, Auckland, for their high school years. Randa started making music while living briefly in Sydney, Australia, in 2011.[12] Randa studied at MAINZ which is a program part of Tai Poutini Polytechnic.[13][14]

Nominations and awards

  • 2013 RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards – Best Music Video - Frankenstein (Nominated)[15]
  • 2014 RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards – Critics’ Choice prize (Winner)[16]
  • 2019 RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards – Best Music Video - Rock Bottom (Winner)

Discography

Randa discography
EPs3
Singles9
Music videos8

EPs

Year Title Details
2012 Lunch Box[17] Released: June 2012
2013 Summer Camp[18] Released: October 2013
2014 Rangers[19] Released: October 2, 2014
2020 Heatwave[20] Released: March 28, 2020

Single

Year Title Album
2013 Orange Juice Summer Camp EP
Frankenstein
2014 Cosby Kid Non-album single
2015 Rangers Rangers EP
Lifeguard
Apollo Crews
2015 Turtles Non-album single
2017 Fashion Non-album single
2017 Angel Boy Non-album single
2019 Rock Bottom Non-album single
2019 Toughen Up Non-album single
Year Title Artist Album
2016 Yes (feat Heavy & Randa) Yoko-Zuna Luminols

Music videos

Year Title Album
2013 Orange Juice[21] Summer Camp EP
Frankenstein[22]
2014 Cosby Kid[23] Non-album single
2015 Rangers[24] Rangers EP
Lifeguard[25]
2015 Turtles[26] Non-album single
2017 Apollo Crews[27] Rangers EP
2019 Fashion[28] Non-album single

References

  1. ^ "Say Yeah, Nah/Ease up on the drink Campaign". Health Promotion Agency. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Ten great Big Day Out moments (and one bad one)". New Zealand Herald. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  3. ^ "QUEER HIP HOP – A COUPLE OF PLACES TO START". Gay Express. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  4. ^ "The importance of being Randa". Stuff.co.nz. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  5. ^ "The extra factor in new music". Stuff.co.nz. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Randa Profile". RIANZ. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Watch: Air New Zealand's new '90s-themed safety video has landed". Newshub. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Air New Zealand's new safety video is joyful display of country's diversity". CNN. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Air New Zealand safety video divides nation". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Air New Zealand's '90s throwback safety video starring Julian Dennison, Kings, Theia, Randa". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Air New Zealand dumps rap safety video". Stuff. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  12. ^ "rapping with randa, new zealand's hip hop explorer". Vice. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  13. ^ "LARZRANDA IS "HOT LIKE TIGER BALM"". Gay Express. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  14. ^ "RANDA REWRITES RAP'S RULES". Gay Express. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Best Music Viceo". RIANZ. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Critics' Choice prize". RIANZ. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Lunch Box". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Summer Camp". Soundcloud. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  19. ^ "Rangers". Spotify. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  20. ^ "Heatwave". Spotify. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Orange Juice Music Video". Youtube. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  22. ^ "Frankenstein Music Video". Youtube. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  23. ^ "Cosby Kid Music Video". Vimeo. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  24. ^ "Rangers Music Video". Youtube. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  25. ^ "Lifeguard Music Video". Youtube. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  26. ^ "Turtles Music Video". Vimeo. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  27. ^ "Someone get the boom box! Randa on Dirty Girls + 'Apollo Creed' Video Premier". Spin Off. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  28. ^ "Randa - Fashion". Youtube. Retrieved 16 March 2019.