Many Pacific Music Award (PMA) nominees and winners made the list of finalists for this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards (AMA).
Formerly known as the New Zealand Music Awards, this year’s celebration honours 38 finalists across 16 categories.
Nominated for Best Roots Artist Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa, Lomez Brown shared the news of his nomination with his online followers.
“Such a blessing to represent Reggae Music,” the first-time finalist wrote.
“Blessings to my God! Love to all and thanks for the support family. Yes, I Believe in the most high. Shout outs to everyone who helped the music get here.”
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Recipient of the Special Recognition Award at last week’s PMAs, Siren beats producer Jawsh 685 also made the list of AMA finalists.
The 17-year-old is up for two AMAs, including Single of the Year for Laxed (Siren Beat) and Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
Also up for Breakthrough Artist is rapper Melodownz who said it was “an honour” to be nominated.
The artist was recently nominated for Best Hip Hop Artist at the PMAs for his Denzel Curry collaboration No Mercy.
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Rap duo Church & AP make a return to the AMA finalists list, nominated once more for Best Hip Hop Artist.
The launch of their debut album TEETH in 2019 was praised by BBC Radio One in the UK and Triple J in Australia.
The rappers were up for three Tuis last year, and subsequently won four Pacific Music Awards at last week’s ceremony.
Singer-songwriter Lepani, another first-time finalist for the AMA’s said he was “honoured to be a part of this!”
Lepani was among a crop of emerging talent to take part in Stan Walker’s nationwide tour in 2019. This year, the Kiwi-Fijian musician released his EP In The Moment which was lauded by local music critics.
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Hosted by RNZ’s Jesse Mulligan, the AMAs will take place on Sunday 15 November at Spark Arena.
See the full list of finalists below:
AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS | NGA TOHU PUORO O AOTEAROA FINALISTS 2020
Te Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year
L.A.B – L.A.B III
Nadia Reid – Out Of My Province
Reb Fountain – Reb Fountain
Six60 – Six60
Tami Neilson – Chickaboom!
The Beths – Jump Rope Gazers
Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau | Single of the Year
BENEE – ‘Supalonely’
Drax Project ft Six60 – ‘Catching Feelings’
Jawsh685 – ‘Savage Love’
L.A.B – ‘In The Air’
Six60 – ‘Please Don’t Go’
Troy Kingi – ‘All Your Ships Have Sailed
Te Roopu Toa | Best Group
L.A.B. – L.A.B. III
Miss June – Bad Luck Party
Six60 – Six60
The Beths – Jump Rope Gazers
Te Kaipuoro Takitahi Toa | Best Solo Artist
BENEE – Stella & Steve
JessB – New Views
Nadia Reid – Out Of My Province
Reb Fountain – Reb Fountain
Te Kaituhura Puoro Toa o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year
CHAII
Jawsh685
MELODOWNZ
Paige
Te Māngai Pāho Te Kaipuoro Māori Toa | Best Māori Artist
Maimoa
Ria Hall
Stan Walker
Te Kaipuoro Arotini Toa | Best Pop Artist
BENEE
Paige
Six60
Te Kaipuoro Manohi Toa | Best Alternative Artist
Mermaidens
The Beths
Reb Fountain
Te Kaipuoro Awe Toa | Best Soul/RnB Artist
Haz & Miloux
Lepani
Stan Walker
Te Kaipuoro Hipihope Toa | Best Hip Hop Artist
choicevaughan
Church & AP
Raiza Biza
Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa | Best Roots Artist
L.A.B
Lomez Brown
Ria Hall
Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo Award
Maimoa
Mōhau
Six60
Te Kaipuoro Tāhiko Toa | Best Electronic Artist
Lee Mvtthews
State of Mind
Truth
Te Kaipuoro Rakapioi Toa | Best Rock Artist
City of Souls
Devilskin
Villainy
Te Kaipuoro Kairangi Toa | Best Worship Artist
Mōhau
Kane Adams
Te Rautini
Te Kaipuoro Inamata Toa | Best Classical Artist
Andrew Beer & Sarah Watkins
Klara Kollektiv
Matthew Marshall
Announced on the evening:
Te Kōwhiri o te Nuinga | People’s Choice Award
Tohu Whakareretanga | Recorded Music NZ Legacy Award
Te Toa Hoko Teitei | Highest Selling Artist
Te Rikoata Marakerake o te Tau | NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year
Tohu Tutuki o te Ao | Recorded Music NZ International Achievement
