Māori artist TEHIIRI and Noongar-Wongi and Pitjantjatjara rapper JJ Vacant have teamed up on 'We All Know,' a new track that blends sharp lyricism with deep cultural resonance.

The single opens with the line, 'Struggle's a cousin that we all know,' setting the tone for a song that tackles identity, self-expression and the ongoing influence of struggle within hip-hop.

TEHIIRI, of the Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pūkenga, Waitaha, Ngāti Wai iwi's, said the idea began during a conversation with producer Iamsolo about how much hip-hop has shifted over the years.

"When we were young, hip hop wasn't as accessible as it is now," he told National Indigenous Times.

"When I was younger, it was something we had to do… it was our way of making sense of everything.

"When I say 'struggle is a cousin that we all know' it's something we all understand but not everyone is related to that cousin."

"That struggle refers to the struggle of being able to express ourselves."

Rather than planning every move, TEHIIRI said their studio process was about creating a comfortable space and letting the music come naturally.

"Having the right environment and right people around is so important," he said.

"Once you have that space, dope music can always come out of it – we just have to speak."

TEHIIRI added hesitation or rigid methods can hold artists back.

"One thing that can be detrimental to artists is being too hesitant or being too formulaic with their approach," he said.

"Me and JJ are different – the cream rises to the top."

For JJ Vacant, the collaboration builds on a journey that began when he was 13, making music with family.

"In my verse, this song is taking me places I never thought I'd go," he said.

"It's about breaking the chains, rapping for me and being content with the stuff I'm putting out there.

"The music can take me places I wanna go but it always comes back home."

He said working with TEHIIRI felt natural and freeing.

"Jumping in the studio with Tehiiri without having deadlines and letting things flow is like therapy for me," he said.

'We All Know' is available on all streaming platforms now, with a music video for 'We All Know' set to drop soon.