Mainard Larkin (better known by their stage names Randa and Larz Randa) is a rapper and recording artist.
Randa is best known for their song "Rangers", which is used on a TV health promotion ad in New Zealand called "Go the distance". The video was a marketing campaign that aimed to contribute to changing New Zealanders alcohol consumption behaviour from the current norm of high-risk drinking to one of moderation.[1] One of biggest moments of Randa's career was performing at the Auckland Big Day Out 2014.[2]
In 2018, Randa was featured on an Air New Zealand safety video alongside Julian Dennison, Kings and Theia.[7] In the video, the New Zealand musicians were rapping and singing to a song they created called "It's Kiwi Safety".[8] The music adapts two songs, Run-DMC's It's Tricky and In the Neighbourhood by Sisters Underground.[9] The video took nine days to record, shooting all across New Zealand. It is the 18th of Air New Zealand's safety videos, which started in 2009.[10] The video was dumped by Air New Zealand after only three months due to public criticism.[11]
Personal life
Randa was educated at Carmel College, Auckland, for their high school years. Randa started making music while living briefly in Sydney, Australia, in 2011.[12] Randa studied at MAINZ which is a program part of Tai Poutini Polytechnic.[13][14]
Nominations and awards
2013 RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards – Best Music Video - Frankenstein (Nominated)[15]
2014 RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards – Critics’ Choice prize (Winner)[16]
2019 RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards – Best Music Video - Rock Bottom (Winner)
