Stan Walker’s robust talent has been clear from the start. The year after his Australian Idol victory, Walker scored a double-platinum hit in both countries he calls home—Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand—with his 2009 debut “Black Box”. That song reinforced the sincere, expansive singing that his fans had come to love on TV, as did romantic ballads like “Choose You” (2010). He turned his impressive vocals to clubby dance pop on 2011’s “Loud” and “Light It Up”, before channelling classic soul on the life-affirming “Take It Easy” (2012) and warm reggae on “Bulletproof” from 2013. He has also proven himself a reliable duet partner, drawing upon profound emotion alongside the likes of Jessica Mauboy, Celina Sharma, Ginny Blackmore and Parson James. Translating to “deep affection” in English, Walker’s 2021 ballad “Matemateāone” was sung primarily te reo Māori, a tribute to his heritage that has extended to more of his work since. On 2025’s stunning “Mō Āke Tonu”, which features Māori Party MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, Walker takes his voice to powerful new heights while utilising traditional Indigenous instrumentation and speaking out against the toll of colonialism.