Independent Music New Zealand Classic Record
"This annual award acknowledges one Aotearoa New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. Whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album, these records have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history. Like the Taite Music Prize main prize, the Classic Record is a critically judged award for originality considering the artistic merit, creativity, innovation and excellence of an album in its entirety irrespective of album sales, artist popularity, previous awards or international achievements."
We can certainly assume that it would be a difficult decision for the panel. It's easy to lose count of those classic records that have made such a strong statement in Aotearoa's music scene; that have paved the way for the artists to come after them and remained a staple in the classic Kiwi sound.
This year, PROUD - An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation has been named this winner of this prize. Showcasing talent from South and West Auckland yet to reach the mainstream radar, such as Sisters Underground, Pacifican Descendants, Semi MCs, MC Slam, Radio Backstab, DJ Payback, and Otara Millionaires Club. Producer Alan Jansson worked with Tim Mahon and Phil Fuemana to represent contemporary Māori and Pacific music at the time. It is, essentially for that reason, one of the most important records to be released in our history.
In his book, 100 Essential New Zealand Albums, music writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger wrote, “It was Jansson’s instinct to emphasise elements of the music that reflected the Pacifican background of the artists, and throughout the album one could hear log drums, ukuleles and the so-called ‘Māori strum’ which Jansson had first encountered at after-work parties on the building sites where he had worked as a teenager. The result was a sound uniquely New Zealand, and strikingly different from the R&B and hip-hop coming from anywhere else at the time.”
If you haven't, we urge you to take a listen below and allow it to soundtrack your day.
Listen to PROUD - An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation
on Apple Music HERE
on Spotify HERE
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NZ On Air Outstanding Journalism Award
The finalists have been announced for the NZOA Outstanding Journalism Award.
"The ground-breaking addition to the Taite Music Prize for 2022 celebrates special individuals who made a creative contribution and significant impact with coverage of Aotearoa music in 2021. For the award’s inaugural year, finalists are shortlisted by the IMNZ board."
I'm sure we can all agree that the people that make space for music in Aotearoa, whether it is online, on paper or on air, are so key to the music scene. This is a chance to congratulate and recognise the important mahi that they have done.
The finalists are:
Undertheradar Editorial Team; Chris Cudby and Annabel Kean
'Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History' Podcast creators; DJ Sirvere and Martyn Pepperell
RNZ Music’s The Sampler producer and journalist; Tony Stamp
95bFM’s producers; Jess Fu and Reuben Winter for radio series Long Player, “Milk III - Reuben Winter” episode.
We send a big congratulations to everyone!
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The Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award and the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award will be presented at the official Taite Music Prize 2022 online ceremony on April 20th, 2022 broadcast via the IndependentMusicNZ Youtube Channel. More information to come.
