Unraveling the Mystery: Who Voices Tamatoa the Crab in Moana?

Moana was one of Disney’s biggest animated hits in recent years. This 2016 film takes viewers on an adventure across the seas as the brave Moana seeks to restore the heart of Te Fiti. With its colorful visuals, catchy music, and inspirational story, it’s no wonder Moana won over audiences of all ages.

One of the most memorable characters from the film is Tamatoa a glamorous giant crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. Voiced by actor and comedian Jemaine Clement Tamatoa makes a huge impression during his musical number “Shiny.” The character’s flashy design, villainous personality, and show-stopping song have made him a breakout star from the movie.

So who is the talented voice behind this crustacean character? Let’s take a closer look at Jemaine Clement and his career

About Jemaine Clement

Jemaine Clement was born on January 10, 1974 in Masterton, New Zealand. He is of Māori, Irish, and Scottish descent. Clement became involved in comedy and music during his college years in Wellington, where he met Bret McKenzie. Together they formed the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.

Clement is best known as one half of Flight of the Conchords along with McKenzie. The folk comedy act gained a following with live shows and radio programs. HBO later adapted their story into an acclaimed sitcom which ran from 2007 to 2009. Clement received multiple Emmy nominations for writing music and lyrics for the show.

Outside of Flight of the Conchords, Clement has established himself as a versatile comedic actor. His film credits include Eagle vs Shark, Gentleman Broncos, Dinner for Schmucks, and Men in Black 3. He often plays eccentric, deadpan characters.

Clement has frequently collaborated with Taika Waititi, his humorist partner from his early days in New Zealand. Together they wrote, directed, and starred in the 2014 mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. The hilarious vampire film earned critical praise, and Clement’s performance was widely praised.

In addition to live-action roles, Clement has voiced characters in animated films like Rio 1 & 2, The Lego Batman Movie, and most notably as Tamatoa in Disney’s Moana. His vocal talent and improvisational skills have made him a popular choice for animation.

Bringing Tamatoa to Life in Moana

In Moana, Tamatoa is a glammed-up crab monster living in a cave on Lalotai, the legendary realm of monsters located at the bottom of the sea in Polynesian mythology. He decorates his shell with salvaged human treasures and eagerly collects more booty.

When Maui and Moana journey to find his magical fishhook, they encounter Tamatoa. He tricks them into thinking he’ll help, but reveals he just wants to eat Moana and add Maui’s hook to his collection. This leads into the show-stopping musical number “Shiny” where Tamatoa sings about his obsession with all things sparkly and valuable.

The character was initially envisioned as a huge, hermit crab-like creature. In the final film, the animators took inspiration from coconut crabs and designed Tamatoa with a massive yet mobile body covered in glamorous bioluminescent patterns. His hands and face are very human-like, allowing for dynamic animation and facial expressions.

Director John Musker recalled how Clement made an instant impression when he auditioned for the role:

“He did the first song demo in his hotel room into a laptop and sent it to us. It was fantastic. He’s such a musical theatre guy, and he’s a great improviser.”

Clement riffed on David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Mick Jagger for shaping Tamatoa’s flashy, narcissistic personality. During the song, Clement improvised lines that made the animation team laugh. Many of his jokes and quips made it into the final film. Musker noted:

“That wonderful line ‘Are you just trying to get me to talk about myself? Because if you are, I will gladly do so,’ was an improv from Jemaine in an early take.”

Clement tapped into his talents for improv, character voices, and music to bring the conceited crustacean to life. His dynamic vocal performance lets Tamatoa steal the scene.

Tamatoa’s Lasting Popularity

Tamatoa became one of the most talked-about characters from Moana thanks to the unforgettable “Shiny” sequence. Clement’s vocals, the glammed-out animation, and the song’s clever lyrics made the musical number a showstopper.

Both kids and adult fans loved Tamatoa’s diva-like attitude and obsession with treasure. His song is extremely quotable thanks to funny lines like “Did your granny say ‘Listen to your heart. Be who you are on the inside?’ I need three words to tear her argument apart: Your granny lied!”

The scene is considered one of Disney’s best villain songs. It gives Tamatoa so much personality that many were hoping he would return later in the movie. While his role is relatively small, it leaves a huge impression.

Clement’s voice work earned Tamatoa (and “Shiny”) nominations at the Annie Awards and Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Fans continue to share their love for Moana’s fabulous singing crab long after the film’s release.

Tamatoa merchandise like t-shirts and collectible figures let fans enjoy Clement’s brilliant character whenever they please. Cover versions and remixes of “Shiny” showcase the song’s ongoing popularity. Tamatoa even inspired a baby name trend – various babies have been given Tamatoa as a middle name by Moana-loving parents!

Thanks to Clement’s vocals combined with top-notch writing and animation, Tamatoa has developed a devoted fanbase. This glitzy crustacean remains one of Moana’s most unforgettable creations.

Jemaine Clement’s Versatile Talents

Jemaine Clement has proven himself as a multi-talented performer throughout his career. His chameleonic skills at improv, accents, and singing equip him for roles of all kinds. Whether acting in live-action films or voicing animated characters, he inhabits each role with humor and flair.

As Tamatoa, Clement got to meld comedy and musical theater in a standout sequence that outshined even the film’s lead cast. His shape-shifting voice made Tamatoa larger than life. Even with a relatively brief appearance, the flashy crab monster makes an indelible impression thanks to Clement’s work.

Clement shows no signs of slowing down either. He received Emmy nominations for his vampire mockumentary series What We Do in the Shadows, based on his hit film. Fans can look forward to hearing his vocal talents in more upcoming animated features and TV shows too.

So when you rewatch Moana and enjoy Tamatoa’s big musical spectacle, remember the talented New Zealander who put so much spirit into bringing this glammed-up crab to life. After such a “shiny” performance, it’s clear Jemaine Clement has a very bright future ahead!