Aaradhna's first album in eight years has a special place in her heart

Aaradhna takes full creative control on her new album, Sweet Surrender. (Image: @sdeyphotography390)

By Dinah Lewis Boucher and Penina Momoisea

Indian-Samoan songstress Aaradhna has returned after eight years with a new album that holds a special place in her heart — it's one her mother Sia'a was able to hear before she died.

One track in the album, Beautiful Ones, is a song Aaradhna particularly connects with her mother. 

"She actually really loved beautiful ones. And that's the one I connect with Mum a lot," she told ABC Pacific. 

"[While writing it] at that time I didn't know what it was about, until halfway through … I just played it back and then I just got emotional because I knew this is about losing a loved one and just missing them.

"Every time I did play the album at home, my Mum always liked that one, she always came in the room when that song came on, and she's like, 'Aw, that's a nice song daughter'.

"I remember playing it on her keyboard … I would love to one day properly play that one with my Mum's keyboard at a gig."

After 20 years since 'Getting Stronger' was released, Aaradhna is grounded about who she is as a
singer-songwriter today.(Instagram: @marissafindlay)

Hailing from Porirua, Wellington, Aaradhna grew up in a culturally rich household with her father, Jayanti Patel, from Gujarat India, and her mother, Sia'a Patel, from the villages of Papa Sataua, Falealupo-uta and Auala, Samoa.

This year marks a milestone for the pioneering artist: it's been 20 years since her debut collaboration with Adeaze on the chart-topping hit Getting Stronger.

Since her debut studio album I Love You was released in 2006, she's been recognised for prestigious awards, including being crowned queen of the night at the Pacific Music Awards this year and taking home four of the biggest awards, including Best Pacific Female Artist and Best Pacific Song.

In 2016, she famously took a stance after being awarded the title of Best Urban/Hip-Hop album at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards - which she refused to accept and immediately gave away on the basis she had been lumped in the urban category for "brown artists".

As such, the following year, the awards ceremony created two new categories — one for soul/RnB artists and the other for hip-hop.

Aaradhna pictured with her mother, who was a fan of her work. (Facebook: Aaradhna)

On her new album Sweet Surrender, Aaradhna took a more hands-on approach, teaching herself pro-track over the last few years and how to play instruments, to build and layer each song.

"I feel like my most powerful self when I'm free to do that," she said.

"So I had to teach myself. It feels really free for me, I feel like I'm at my most highest when I get to express myself to the maximum level. 

"I feel like I'm at my most powerful."

Aaradhna performing on tour in 2023. (Image: Penina Momoisea)

Another track on her new album, Love 2 Love, marks Aaradhna's first collaboration with hip-hop artist Ladi6.

When asked who she wanted for her next dream collaboration, she said she'd long had her sights on rapper and singer-songwriter, Missy Elliot: "I love her voice, she is always thinking outside of the box."

On a recent "soul trip" to India, Aaradhna shot visuals for Sweet Surrender.(Instagram: @rishabhad)

Aaradhna said listening to her gut was important. In her career and life, moving forward is something she's focused on. 

"I don't want to stay still. I mean, it's nice to stay still for a little bit to reflect, but you have to keep moving," she said.

"Like move forward... move towards the sun. That's all I want to do ... Moving forward is always the answer — don’t stay still."

She's also excited about who she is as a singer-songwriter, creating today. 

"I mean the old music, I love and appreciate everything from before, but this is who I am now," she said. 

"I mean, listen to my old stuff when I was baby Rads," she laughed. "But today I am 40 going on 41; I've got new things to say."

As an artist who has navigated the long game in Aotearoa New Zealand, she shares one of her greatest lessons to date. 

"I've learned to stop second-guessing myself and trust my instincts," Aaradhna said.

"For me, success is fully believing in yourself and still going for what you've envisioned in your mind.

"Going for it, no matter what.

"Life might get in the way, but if you're still able to just pick yourself up and keep going ...  and not let your dream die — that's success to me.”

First published at ABC Pacific, December 23, 2024