VNZMA 2016 Winners Announced
The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards were handed out last night at a ceremony in Auckland, and saw 'Brown Girl' singer Aaradhna give away one of her Tuis. After stepping up on stage to receive the award for Best "Urban" / Hip Hop Category, the soul artist gave a succinct speech, graciously pointing out a problem...
"I'm a singer, I'm not a rapper. I'm not a hip hop artist. It feels like I've been placed in the category of "brown people",' she said. "I feel like we need a soul/RnB category, so right now I feel like I want to give this to a hip hop artist, because I feel this is the kind of award that's for a hip hop artist - and I want to give it to SWIDT because I believe you guys are the future of hip hop."
The Onehunga crew then came onstage to accept the award. Watch the whole speech below...
Aaradhna (aka our new hero) was also awarded the 'Best Female Solo Artist' earlier in the evening.
The event saw some repeat offenders picking up awards, The Broods took five Tuis, while Six60 received two awards. And Sol3Mio must have broken a record, having received the Highest Selling Album of the year - for the third year running.
Meanwhile Lawrence Arabia was awarded the Best Alternative Album for his full length offering Absolute Truth, which was also recognised for its wonderful album art last month.
And as previously reported, pop darling Bic Runga received the NZ Herald Legacy Award, and beautifully punctuated the evening with a phenomenal rendition of her breakthrough song 'Sway'. Here is the full list of winners and their categories...
VODAFONE NZ MUSIC AWARD WINNERS 2016
Vodafone Single of the Year: Broods – ‘Free’
Best Group : Broods – ‘Conscious’
Best Male Solo Artist : MAALA – ‘Composure’
Fiji Airways Best Female Solo Artist : Aaradhna – ‘Brown Girl’
Breakthrough Artist of the Year : KINGS – 'Don't Worry Bout' It'
Best Rock Album : Villainy – ‘Dead Sight’
The Edge Best Pop Album Winner: Broods – ‘Conscious’
Best Alternative Album: Lawrence Arabia – ‘Absolute Truth’
Best Roots Album: Unity Pacific – ‘Blackbirder Dread’
Te Mangai Paho Best Maori Album : Rob Ruha – ‘Pūmau’
Best Worship Album :Edge Kingsland – ‘Edge Vol. 3: The Common Good’
Best Classical Album : Anthony Ritchie and Ross Harris – ‘Fjarran’
Vodafone People’s Choice Award : Broods
NZ Herald Legacy Award : Bic Runga
Vodafone Highest Selling: Six60 – ‘White Lines’
Three Highest Selling Album: Sol3Mio – ‘On Another Note’
NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year Six60 – ‘White Lines’
International Achievemen: Fat Freddy’s Drop
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