Famous artists from Aotearoa as well as new voices will be “welcomed with open arms in the Maori Music Awards”.

The organizers of the 14th National Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021 in Hastings say that after a difficult 2020, the team is ready to welcome some of the best musicians, singers and songwriters in the country.

“Our wāhine artists such as Anna Coddington, Ainsley Ashell, Mistee K, Paige and Vayne are all nominated this year, and we honor our wāhine Māori as the vital voice of te ao Māori,” a spokesperson said.

Coddington is a singer-songwriter / producer and her album Beams is shortlisted for Best Maori Pop Album, Vayne for Gutta Girl and The New Chapter Album by Misstee K are all up for awards. Ainsley Allen and Paige are shortlisted for the award for best Maori Wāhine solo artist.

At the top of the te reo Māori charts are NLC, who are finalists for Best Māori Reggae / Roots Album for Trouble, alongside Grove Roots for their album Iwi. Hani Dread is a finalist for Best Single by a Maori Artist with his Waiata Kōkiri, Kings is nominated for Best Hip-Hop Album for Raplist alongside Adam Tukiri with SON.

Returning winners Troy Kingi, Stan Walker, LAB and former Flaxmere man Tipene Harmer are finalists in several categories.

Hawkins, who is no stranger to the industry, is in the running for Best Maori Solo Artist. Nominated for Best RnB Album is Lois Baker with Love Levitates, in good company alongside Mara TK, who is also in the shortlist for Best Maori Solo Artist.

The other artists awarded are the previous winners Tomorrow People, Morse Gang and also IA who are all finalists for the best Maori group.

“With a roster of talented Maori artists, this year’s awards are going to be tÅ« meke!”

Independent judges evaluated the work of artists online individually, rather than as a group or collective panel.

The results were submitted via the Internet to the administrator of the prices and collated.

Judges have been appointed by the music industry, both Maori and traditional musicians, composers, producers, managers and music organizations.

The 2021 awards will be held in Hastings at the Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Center on September 10

2021 FINALISTS

Best Maori Hip Hop Album:

Adam Tukiri – SON

Kings – Raplist

Tipene Harmer – Heritage Trail

Vayne – Girl Gutta

Best Maori RnB Album:

Louis Baker – Love Levitates

Mara TK – Bad Meditation

Mistee K – The Next Chapter

Troy Kingi – The Ghost of Freddie Cesar

Best Maori Roots / Reggae Album:
Grove Roots – Iwi

NLC – Problem

Best Maori Pop Album:

Anna Coddington – Beams

LAB – LAB IV

Teeks – Something to Feel

Troy Kingi – The Ghost of Freddie Cesar

Best Maori Tane Solo Artist:

Mara traditional knowledge

Teeks

Tipene Harmer

Troy kingi

Best Maori Wāhine Solo Artist:

Ainslee Allen

Anna coddington

Mistee K

Paige

Best Maori Group:

HAVE

LABORATORY

Morse Gang

Tomorrow people

Best Single by a Maori Artist:

Hani Dread – Kōkiri

Hawkins – I can’t leave him alone

LAB – Why Oh Why

Stan Walker – Taller

Tipene Harmer – TÅ«rangawaewae

Best Maori Songwriter:

LAB – Why Oh Why

Mara TK – Te Kete Aronui

Teeks – Remember me

Tipene Harmer – TÅ«rangawaewae

Troy Kingi – All your ships have sailed

Best Music Video by a Maori Artist:

Grove Roots – Atua Maori

LAB – Why Oh Why

Stan Walker – Taller

Teeks – Younger

Troy Kingi – First PTO