Mokotron

aka Miso, High Stakes (with Simon Howden)


In 2025 Mokotron, real name Tiopira McDowell, won the Taite Music Prize for his landmark album, Waerea. Drawing from his childhood love of electro music and his experience as a rave DJ, Waerea incorporates elements of drum’n’bass, breaks, speed garage, with taonga pūoro and lyrics in te reo Māori.

He has been releasing music for over two decades, initially as half of dancehall production duo High Stakes. It was High Stakes who created the foundation for a hit single by Jamaican DJ Popcaan that topped Jamaica’s dancehall charts and reached the R&B charts in the US.

Mokotron performing at the United Tribes of Bass Showcase, Friday, April 12, 2024.
Mokotron receiving the 2025 Taite Music Prize for his 2024 album Waerea.
Photo credit: Chontalle Musson
High Stakes: Simon Howden and Tiopira McDowell.
Artwork for the original Tawhito release.
Mokotron performing at the Methodist Church next door to the Flying Out record shop, Pitt Street, Auckland.
Photo credit: Gareth Shute
High Stakes: Simon Howden and Tiopira McDowell.
A High Stakes recording session: Tiopira McDowell on melodica and Simon Howden engineering.
‘Only Man She Want’ by Popcaan (riddim by High Stakes)
Mokotron set at Boiler Room, 2025
Mokotron
Photo credit: Ngaru Garland
Mokotron receiving the 2025 Taite Music Prize for his 2024 album Waerea.
Photo credit: Chontalle Musson
Mokotron performing at the United Tribes of Bass Showcase, Friday, April 12, 2024.
Mokotron
Photo credit: Ngaru Garland
Tiopira McDowell (Mokotron) on the decks during his DJ days.
Mokotron in the foyer of the Q Theatre, Auckland, after being awarded the 2025 Taite Music Prize for his 2024 album Waerea.
Photo credit: Dave Simpson
Ko Wai Koe? (2024)
Mokotron receiving the 2025 Taite Music Prize for his 2024 album Waerea.
Photo credit: Chontalle Musson
Mokotron - Waerea (2024)
Tiopira McDowell (Mokotron) in his DJ days.
Mokotron with taonga puoro.
Mokotron
Photo credit: Ngaru Garland
Mokotron
Photo credit: Ngaru Garland
Mokotron (centre) with other performers from the United Tribes of Bass Showcase. Zac Arnold from the Sunreturn label is second from left.
Photo credit: Ngaru Garland
High Stakes records logo.
Ōhākī (2024)
Labels:

Sunreturn


Ezzential Electro


Electro Records

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