A Celebration Of Maori Music

PUBLICITY RELEASE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 2010

 
A Celebration Of Maori Music

From the contemporary beat of urban hip-hop and rap to the traditional sound of kapa haka and show bands, Maori Television is proud to bring you the highly anticipated WAIATA MAORI AWARDS (MAORI MUSIC AWARDS) 2010.

The third annual awards show will be filmed live at the Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings on September 10, to screen on Maori Television on Saturday, September 18 at 9.30 PM.

Co-hosted by Maori Television’s popular presenter Te Hamua Nikora and opera singer William Winitana, the WAIATA MAORI AWARDS recognise and celebrate the contribution of musicians and songwriters to both modern and traditional Maori music.

This year’s theme is `Te Koanga', which reflects the new spring season, new life and new beginnings.

Executive director Tama Huata says this year's awards will feature two new additions - the recognition of show bands and a new reggae category.

“The show bands are called the forgotten generation of Maori musicians and performers, so they are being featured this year and reggae is being featured for the first time as its own genre.”

The new reggae category is Best Maori Urban Roots Album - primarily for artists in the urban genre of reggae.

Other categories up for grabs include Best Maori Traditional Album and Best Maori Pop Album.

Mr Huata says it is important to have the awards because it provides a forum that Maori music has never had before.

“We've never honoured our composers and musicians and singers. They've normally had, like in the New Zealand Music Awards, only one category and every Maori had to go into that one category.''

The WAIATA MAORI AWARDS - which will be broadcast in a mixture of English and te reo - also stand out because they encompass both modern and traditional music.

“The commonality is music, whether it's rap, hip-hop, or kapa haka,” says Huata.

“We have managed to bring everybody to the table at the same time. You've got the rappers and hip-hoppers sharing the same stage as our kapa haka type performers. It's all Maori music celebrated as one event.''

Performance highlights include the Sons of Zion and Showband Aotearoa.

Last year, Nesian Mystik scooped up a range of awards including Best Maori Urban Artists; Best Maori Pop Artists; Best Maori Song; and Best Maori Songwriter.

Another new addition this year will be the appointment of a Waiata Maori Ambassador who will promote the event here and overseas. This year's ambassador is well-known singer/songwriter, and previous WAIATA MAORI AWARDS recipient, Taisha.

Find out the winners and watch some amazing performances in the WAIATA MAORI AWARDS, screening on Maori Television on Saturday, September 18 at 9.30 PM.

ENDS

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