This episode, MJ’s out sick… so Zain brought in the ultimate replacement: Kiwi artist Ashy! 🎤 Not only does she jump in as co-host, but we dive into her brand-new EP dropping Friday, 12 September 2025. Expect a super fun, funny, and story-packed show as Ashy shares behind-the-scenes moments, creative inspo, and plenty of laughs.
👉 Please note: All music has been removed from the podcast due to copyright. To hear Ashy’s full EP, check it out on Spotify, Apple Music, or catch our live show.
Zain and MJ sit down with RENÉE, an emerging artist from Auckland now based in Pōneke, who is making waves with her fresh blend of neo-soul, pop R&B, and afrobeat-inspired sounds.
We chat about her journey from playing in bands to launching her solo career with Slip Away, the emotional storytelling behind her track Caught Up Again (featuring Will McClean), and what’s next – including her upcoming single BLIND and debut EP set for release later this year.
If you love glossy vocals, groove-driven tracks, and hearing from one of Aotearoa’s rising stars, this is a must-listen.
Zain and MJ are back with another chaotic full show! MJ reveals their wild late-night adventures, Zain tries to keep things on track (and fails), and the duo dives into trending TikToks, pop culture drama, and way too many side quests.
Catch all the laughs, music talk, and unfiltered Gen Z energy – this is the full radio show, exactly how it went down!
In this special live episode, Zain and MJ take you on a fun, vibrant ride through Zain’s recent adventure in Auckland. From exploring the city’s creative energy to diving into the freshest sounds coming out of the Kiwi music scene, the duo breaks down the vibe, the artists to watch, and the new music you need to have on your radar.
Episode Description:
Zain has officially joined the Apple ecosystem! In this episode, he and MJ dive into his switch to a MacBook, sharing the highs, lows, and the chaos of buying tech on Marketplace. They compare Apple vs. Windows, debate touchscreen preferences, and even get into Apple Watch battery life. Plus, they chat about school lunch programs, personal growth, and the future of their show—all with their usual mix of humor and unfiltered takes.
Join us for an exciting conversation with Ashy, a rising Kiwi artist making waves in the music industry! She opens up about her journey, from the thrill of releasing her debut single to the power of social media in growing her fanbase. Ashy dives into her musical inspirations, future plans—including dreams of vinyl releases and collaborations—and shares behind-the-scenes stories from touring with Drax Project. Plus, we explore her take on the ever-evolving music scene. Don't miss this insightful and inspiring chat!
Artist Chat: Ponz Joins us today to discuss her new release, upcoming shows, and her next big move
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NZ TikTok Star Charlie Gallagher Chats with Zain and MJ! 🎙️Charlie Gallagher, one of NZ's biggest TikTok stars, joins Zain and MJ for a chat! 🚍✨ He's traveling the full length of New Zealand on an epic bus trip, and we catch up with him during his stop in Christchurch. #CharlieGallagher #ZainAndMJ #NZTikTok
Hey! we were not able to go to air on our last show due to some tech stuff however we didn't want to let this stop us from saying goodbye so... here is a podcast with all out chat about our story ( so far ) and what our 2025 plans are.
Thanks for all your support in 2024 see you for a bigger and better year in 2025
Podcast Description:
In this episode, we sit down with Lucy Gray, a talented performer, singer, and songwriter from Ōtautahi, Christchurch, New Zealand. At just 17, Lucy has already made waves in the music scene with her debut EP, whole life waiting, released in July 2024. This impressive project has amassed over 140,000 streams and helped her build a genuine and growing fanbase across New Zealand, Australia, and the US. Lucy’s videos promoting her music have collectively garnered over 3 million views, boosting her social media following and establishing her as one of New Zealand’s rising stars.
Lucy shares the story of her journey, from working with Toi Ōtautahi’s Music Incubator Programme and mentors Andy and Victoria Knopp, to receiving the NZ on Air New Music Development grant that funded her EP. She reveals how she strategically released tracks over a year to maximize their impact, leading to chart success and music video collaborations with Ara Broadcasting School.
We also dive into Lucy’s incredible year so far, including sold-out shows at Wunderbar and Auckland’s Big Fan, her growing social media platforms, and her ability to connect deeply with her audience. Plus, Lucy gives us an exclusive sneak peek into her upcoming single Polar Orbit and what’s next in her musical journey.
Don’t miss this conversation with one of Aotearoa’s most exciting young artists!
Today on the show, we dive into Selena Gomez’s engagement rumors and why Taco Bell might be behind the scenes, break down the viral NZ police pole-dancing video, and chat about some eyebrow-raising Texas laws. We’ve also got new music from Lottie and Lucy Grey stopping by for an exclusive interview. Plus, the latest on Kim Kardashian, Charli XCX’s VR tour, and Monday night trends you didn’t know you needed to know.
Ready for some fun and fresh Kiwi tunes? Tune in to the Zain and MJ podcast for an electrifying hour as we dive into the **Seconds to Midnight** tour, reveal our Spotify Wrapped highlights, and discuss the latest hits from new Kiwi artists. Don't miss out on our exclusive interviews, wild adventures, and the latest pop culture news! Plus, join us in welcoming Producer Oli to the team. This is one podcast you won't want to miss! 🎧🎙️
Meet Lottie, a bold new Kiwi pop artist from Tāmaki Makaurau, making waves with her debut single, 'Gimme.' With an electrifying blend of pop and dance, this high-energy track kicks off her upcoming EP *For What It’s Worth*, where she’s taking risks and redefining the genre. Tune in as we dive into Lottie’s journey, creative process, and what’s next for this rising star!
On today’s episode of *Zain and MJ*, we’ve got a jam-packed show filled with all the latest pop culture gossip and music updates! From Kendall Jenner’s viral college bar takeovers to Miley Cyrus being sued for allegedly copying a Bruno Mars hit, we’re diving into all the trending news. Plus, we’re breaking down the hottest new music, including tracks from Katy Perry, Kim Petras, and Alex Warren. Stay tuned for our interview teasers, a Metallica concert announcement, and a fun experiment—does Coke really taste different now? You won’t want to miss this!
After a short break, Zain and MJ are back and ready to bring you all the latest in pop culture and trending music. Today, we're diving into some major gossip and exploring the hottest tracks we've been saving up just for you. Plus, we've got TikTok trends you won't believe and a few surprises to keep you hooked all show long!
Emerging as a captivating voice in the New Zealand music scene, Pop/Soul artist Emma Rutherford, originally from North Canterbury and now based in Ōtautahi is ready to make her mark. Emma’s soulful melodies are inspired by artists such as Adele, Billy Joel and Sara Bareilles.
Emma gained some traction after releasing her single and music video “Ghost Town”, inspired by growing up and growing out of a small town in New Zealand. Emma went on to headline her Hometown Debut Show at the Oxford Town Hall in November 2023 as well as being a featured artist at the North Canterbury Wine and Food Festival in 2024.
After teaming up with renowned New Zealand musicians and producers Andy and Victoria Knopp from “The Response” in 2023, Emma is excited to release a new body of work, including her long awaited single “Indigo” in 2024.
Pop-rock artist, 18 year-old Flynn Adamson, is a heart-felt singer songwriter who writes and navigates the territory of life through his music. Growing up in the rustic port town of Lyttelton, he earned his stripes down at the markets when he was just seven, playing off-the-cuff Santana-inspired originals to locals. As a child Flynn looked up to the likes of Marlon Williams, Al Park, the Eastern, Delaney Davidson and Adam Hattaway who played regularly at local street festivals. Flynn has been able to develop his own unique blend of pop-rock, branded with grunty guitar and heart-felt lyrics and tight choppy pop production. Ranging from infectious and feel-good, with an underlying blues/mysterious vibe. He placed third in the Smoke Free Rock Quest National Final this year, winning best electronic performance. Flynn also received funding from Rock Quest to record his song Chasing Ghosts, one the songs he performed live at Q theatre in Auckland for the Final, this will be included in the array of new music Flynn has on the way.
Releasing music since he was 14, one of Flynn's singles, Pretend has gained traction with over 12,000 plays, his latest single RUNAWAY, he competed with in the Play It Strange Peace Song Competition and made it to the national final, Runaway is now Live on Spotify.
Get ready for a jam-packed hour of pop culture updates and trending TikToks! We'll spin our favorite new tracks and dive into the latest pop gossip. Plus, the amazing PONZ joins us to chat about her new music. Don't miss out tune in for laughs, surprises, and all things trending, hot takes on everything from Shawn Mendes' new album to Charli XCX's latest charity move. Follow us on social @zainandmj @nowradio_nz for more updates and behind-the-scenes fun. See you there!