Three dominate 2003 music awards finalists

Three dominate 2003 music awards finalists with 20 nominations

Two multi-award winning Kiwi artists and an up-and-coming group dominate the finalists for the 2003 NZ Music Awards.

A newcomer last year, Nesian Mystik has reached the finals in eight categories including Album of the Year for their debut record ‘Polysaturated’ and Monster Vision Single of the Year for ‘It’s On’.

Pop vocalist Bic Runga is a finalist in seven categories including Album of the Year while last year’s big winner, hip-hop R&B artist Che Fu, is selected for five including Monster Vision Single of the Year.

Others with multiple nominations to receive Tuis in 2003 include Goodshirt and Goldenhorse with four each, The Datsuns, Blindspott and Anika Moa with three each and Pacifier with two.

The annual night of The Tuis is to be presented by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) on April 30 in the ASB Theatre at the Aotea Centre – The Edge.

Now in their 38th year, the New Zealand Music Awards include four new categories and two that recognise commercial success. New Tuis have been created for Best Urban, Dance, Roots, Pacific Island albums and highest selling single and album.

RIANZ music awards spokesperson Mark Ashbridge is delighted with the standard of finalists. He says the changes to the awards have been well received and were designed to better promote the vibrant diversity of the current music scene across a broad range of categories.

“These changes are a first step in a fresh direction,” Mr Ashbridge says. “New Zealand music constantly evolves and it is important that the national awards reflect this evolution as the annual ‘best of’ in the profession.

“They are a focus for the industry so they must remain relevant to the musicians and the music being produced.”

Mr Ashbridge says the awards represent a celebration of the past year’s music achievements and an opportunity to acknowledge those who made it happen.

“Winning a Tui also provides major benefits for artists in terms of both profile and sales. They are a benchmark by which we can judge how well we are doing internationally and they promote the depth of musical talent we have in this country.”

Nesian Mystik plays a distinctive Pacific Style reggae and comprises five 19 year-olds who met while jamming in their music class at Western Springs College in Auckland.

New Zealand's undisputed king of R&B Ché Fu took five Tuis at last year’s awards and his album ‘Navigator’ reached Platinum status three times.

Bic Runga’s second album ‘Beautiful Collision’ has propelled the talented singer and songwriter further in to the limelight with the record going Platinum four times. Two singles have reached number one in New Zealand

Bic won seven major Tuis at the 1998 NZ Music Awards including Album of the Year and in 2000 she won Best International Achievement Award.

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