As a result of the success of the third instalment of Troy Kingi’s ambitious plan to release 10 albums in 10 years, Troy Kingi, alongside his band The Upperclass, deservedly received Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist | Te Kaipuoro Māori Toa and Best Roots Artist | Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa for the album Holy Colony Burning Acres.
· The third instalment of Troy Kingi’s aspirational 10|10|10 Series (ten albums in ten genres in ten years).
· Holy Colony Burning Acres is a record that focuses on major issues facing indigenous peoples all around the world – from crying for the injustices of West Papua in Bird of Paradise to lamenting courage in Truganini, a song about the last full bloodied Tasmanian aboriginal.
· This form of politically charged reggae has barely been heard since the days of Herbs and their fight against nuclear power in the Pacific.
· Holy Colony Burning Acres is a hard hitting deep roots offering reminiscent of such bands as Abyssinians, Congos and Upsetters, all underscored with empathic Marley-inspired political consciousness.
“From the short opening karanga/address of The Tower of Babel (a sound collage with multiple voices cutting across each other) to the simple acoustic ballad Truganini at the end, this is impressive on every level.” – Elsewhere