Ladi 6 wins first round of the CokeTunes

Ladi 6 wins first round of the CokeTunes Music Fund

www.cokefridge.co.nz

The first round of the new CokeTunes Music Fund has seen one winner selected from more than fifty strong entries from across the nation.

The $15,000 grant made available in round 1 of the CokeTunes Music Fund has been awarded to one of NZ’s premiere female vocalist/MC Ladi 6, to enable her to create her debut solo album.

The grant will be used to cover recording costs. The album will be produced by Chris Faiumu a.k.a DJ Mu (Fat Freddy’s Drop) and will feature some of New Zealand’s finest talent. The grant will ensure maximum artistic freedom and flexibility for Ladi 6’s album.

As part of the application process, musicians were required to submit an idea that demonstrated the most potential for success and effective use of the funds. The CokeTunes grants can be used for purposes as varied as assisting with the costs of equipment, recording, promotion, training or touring.

Ladi6 is honoured to be the first recipient for the CokeTunes Music Fund. “This means I will able to approach my first-ever album with total creative freedom musically, and production-wise. It’s an artist’s dream come true” says Ladi6.

Ladi6 was chosen by a panel of music industry experts including representatives from New Zealand on Air.

“It’s really exciting that the CokeTunes Music Fund is able to provide the opportunity for Ladi6 to record this long-anticipated album the way she wants to. Ladi6 has been a huge talent since her days in Sheelahroc, Verse Two and with her numerous collaborations with Scribe, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shapeshifter and 50Hz . We can’t wait to hear the final results of her debut solo album,” says Alison Sykora, Coca-Cola spokeswoman.

This was the first of the funding rounds that will run throughout 2005-2006. The quarterly scheme is being run online at www.cokefridge.co.nz and provides grants to help budding New Zealand musicians get a foot in the door of the local music industry.

The $15,000 grant was made possible by revenue generated through the new CokeTunes download store between August and October. Coca-Cola has pledged to donate all CokeTunes proceeds to emerging New Zealand musicians.

CokeTunes was launched in August 2005 as the first mainstream legal music download store in the country, giving Kiwis access to over 700,000 tracks.

The next funding round opens on 1st February 2006 and closes on 1st March 2006. For details on how to apply or to purchase your favourite music online, visit www.cokefridge.co.nz.

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