Greatsouth is the project of Māori artist Payton Taplin (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa), a South Auckland voice cutting through Aotearoa’s alternative scene.

Blending indie rock, Polynesian post-punk and taonga pūoro, his work channels urban Māori experience into raw, politically charged storytelling. His self-titled EP drew recognition from RNZ and Dazed, while breakout single 'It’s getting hotti' earned international radio support (KEXP, Triple R) and charted locally.

A compelling live act, he has supported The Beths, Muroki, LEAO, Jeshi (UK) and Phoebe Rings, and performed at the Auckland Arts Festival, Carhartt WIP Audio Archives and APRA Waiata Anthems Infinity Sessions Ake ake ake. His debut album Hellhole of the Pacific lands 20 August 2026.