Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The final push is on for Maori artists to submit their work for the fourth annual National Maori Music Awards which will be held on September 7 and 8 in Hawke’s Bay.

Executive director Tama Huata says there is less than a month to go before nominations close (July 31) and a decision is made on who the final nominees are for this year.

“There are more entries this year than last year and I believe the Waiata Maori awards can give artists great exposure to the music industry and the general public.

Waiata Maori Awards ambassador Taisha Tari and four-time Waiata Maori Awards winner Maisey Rika have spearheaded a major campaign to encourage more Maori artists to put forward their music for the 2011 awards.

“They are both doing a great job in promoting the awards here in New Zealand and overseas,” Tama says.

Last year nominations were submitted from Australia with Brisbane-based rap artist Phatboy Poet being selected as a 2010 finalist. Tama hopes more artists from further abroad, in the US and Europe, will put their work forward for the awards.

“The international market is important for the Waiata Maori Music Awards, for Maori artists living overseas, it helps to tie them back to their origins from New Zealand,” Tama says.

“Next year we are looking at running a Maori music showcase series to identify up and coming Maori artists who can work with past award winners.”

Taisha, a winner at the inaugural Waiata Maori Music Awards in 2008, says across the board people “need to put their hand up” to be recognised when it comes to their musical talent.

“I think sometimes you have to put yourself out there and sometimes be slightly vulnerable and just to have a go because if you don’t, you’ll never know.

“Get amongst it and talk to your peers, that’s why the Waiata Maori Music Awards is so important as is a place where we can all come together and you can perform in front of your peers.

“It’s an opportunity to talk to other people that are working in the same industry and get support or feedback from people that you respect, it’s a really important process.”

The artists “discovered” or “revealed” at the past three award events proves the wealth of talent in Maori music, she believes.

“I think we will see more talent come through at the next awards, some of the artists coming through are getting stronger and stronger.

“What I realised at the 2010 awards was that I hadn’t seen many of the finalists or artits who performed that night, which again is why the awards is so important. And I’m looking forward to seeing more new talent at the next awards.”

ENDS

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