Finalists for 2012 awards

Friday, August 15, 2013

Finalists for 2012 awards

A total of 16 music artists have been selected as finalists for this year's National Waiata Maori Music Awards which will be held at the Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings, from September 12 to 13, 2013.

Songstress Maisey Rika returns as a finalist in six categories in the open section of the awards this year and will also be one of the guest performers at this year's awards ceremony, to be held in the opera house theatre on Friday, September 13, 2013.

Rika is a finalist for the Best Mäori Traditional Album, Te Reo Mäori (Whitiora); Best Mäori Pop Album (Whitiora); Best Mäori Female Solo; Best Song by a Mäori Artist Artist (Tangaroa Whakamautai); Best Music Video by a Mäori Artist and Best Mäori Songwriter.

Rika returns as a finalist after winning four titles at the 2010 Waiata Maori Music Awards and has been involved in previous award ceremonies as a guest performer.

Wellington singer Toni Huata is also another artist who returns to the awards and she is a finalist in four categories this year, including Best Mäori Traditional Album, Te Reo Mäori (Hopukia), Best Mäori Pop Album (Hopukia) and Best Mäori Female Solo Artist.

Singer/song writer Te Awanui Reeder was the major winner at the 2012 Waiata Maori Music Awards and returns this year as a finalist in two categories, including Best Mäori Urban Roots Album (Heartbeat) and Best Mäori Male Solo Artist.

Young television presenter and now music performer Ahorangi Winitana was a finalist and guest performer at the 2012 Waiata Maori Music Awards.

In 2013 she returns as a finalist in four categories, Best Mäori Pop Album (Ahorangi); Best Mäori Female Solo Artist; Best Song by a Mäori Artist (Ao Rangirua) and Best Mäori Songwriter.

It will be a family affair for the young woman from Turangi as her older brother, Tupoutahi, makes his first appearance as a finalist at the Waiata Maori Music Awards in four categories, including Best Mäori Urban RAP/Hip Hop/RnB Album (Hono Tatai); Best Mäori Male Solo Artist; Best Song by a Mäori Artist (Hono Tatai) and Best Mäori Songwriter.

Well-known entertainer and composer Rim D.Paul released his first Te Reo Maori album this year (Waiata, Wairua, Waiora) and it has been named as a finalist for the Best Maori Traditional Album. Rim has been a regular guest performer at the Waiata Maori Music Awards and received a Music Industry Award in 2008, recognising his many years as a musician in the industry.

Urban RnB singer Pieter T is also a former finalist and guest performer at the awards and returns this year as a finalist in two categories, Best Mäori Urban RAP/Hip Hop/RnB Album (Completion) and Best Mäori Male Solo Artist.

Singer and television producer Ngatapa Black returns to the Waiata Maori Music Awards as a finalist in Best Mäori Traditional Album (Te Reo Mäori) for her work on I Muri Ahiahi.

Sunshine reggae outfit Tomorrow People won the Best Māori Urban Roots Album (One) at the 2012 Waiata Maori Music Awards and the band returns this year as a finalist to contest the Best Music Video by a Mäori Artist (Soljah Feeling Remix, featuring House of Shem) category.

Wellington’s Ariana Tikao also returns to the Waiata Maori Music Awards as a finalist for Best Mäori Pop Album (From Dust To Light) and Best Mäori Female Solo Artist.

There are a number of new names that will appear as finalists at this year's Waiata Maori Music Awards.

It includes Auckland soul/funk signer Cat Tunks who is a finalist for the Best Mäori Urban RAP/Hip Hop/RnB Album (Rawahi).

The “Queen of Loops”, Mihirangi Fleming, is also a first-time finalist at the Waiata Maori Music Awards for her work on the album, Somebody Shake The Tree, which will be considered for the Best Mäori Urban RAP/Hip Hop/RnB Album.

The Aotearoa Reggae All Stars are a finalist in the Best Music Video by a Mäori Artist category for their work on remaking the Herbs’ classic, Sensitive To A Smile.

Sons of Zion was a guest performer at the 2010 Waiata Maori Music Awards and this year the band will be a finalist in two categories, Best Song by a Mäori Artist
(Tell Her, Good Love and Superman) and Best Mäori Songwriter.

Auckland five-piece band Soljah is a finalist for the first time at the awards, contesting the Best Mäori Urban Roots Album (Aotearoa) category this year.

Fresh RnB reggae beats band, K/Line, from Wairoa in Hawke’s Bay, enters the Waiata Maori Music Awards for the first time as a finalist, contesting the Best Mäori Urban Roots Album (Aotearoa) category.

The winners will be announced at the Waiata Maori Muisc Awards ceremony at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House Theatre in Hastings, on Friday, September 13, 2013. The awards ceremony begins at 6.30pm.

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