The Taite Music Prize 2016: announcing this years 'Independent Music NZ Classic Record' award
IMNZ is proud to announce the second award to be presented at this years Taite Music Prize 2016 event. The ceremony is
to include the 'Independent Music NZ Classic Record', which aims to acknowledge Aotearoa's rich history of making fine records that continue to inspire us and define who we
are.
The panel to determine the recipient of this new award was made up of a broad section of music media/industry
specialists, who have given the nod this year to the Upper Hutt Posse - 'E Tu' (1988 Jayrem) as one of Aotearoa's classic records. The award is scheduled to be accepted by members of the band.
When informed of the news this week, Te Kupu said: "It's great for a conscious song of resistance to be respected in
this way, and although it already has a firm place in the hip-hop musical history of Aotearoa, this award is somewhat
unexpected and therefore a little extra pleasing. UHP appreciates the regard shown to us, and to all musicians,
composers and artists who're compelled to create songs of conscience, ka whawhai tonu tatou!"
Peter McLennan, author, musician and judging panelist said: "E Tu is a hugely important record, both culturally and
politically. It showed local rap fans and budding rappers that we could make this exciting new genre our own, with
rhyming in Te Reo and English, and by name-checking local history. Upper Hutt Posse are our hip-hop pioneers, and they
opened the gates for the likes of Dam Native, Three The Hard Way, and Che Fu."
L – R: Upper Hutt Posse "E Tu" (Jayrem Records) / Upper Hutt Posse in Mount Street, Auckland, 1990. Images courtesy of
www.audioculture.co.nz
UHP formed as a four-piece reggae band in 1985. Since their inception, Dean Hapeta (also known as D Word or Te Kupu) and
the Posse have been fighting racial injustice through their music. In 1988 they released New Zealand's first rap record
and their first 12-inch hip hop record, "E Tu", through Jayrem Records. The song combined African American revolutionary
rhetoric with an explicitly Maori frame of reference, to create a cry of self-affirmation by a new generation. It pays
homage to the rebel Maori warrior chiefs of Aotearoa's colonial history, Hone Heke, Te Kooti, and Te Rauparaha.
The Taite Music Prize 2016 event is held on Wednesday 20th April in Auckland and is an invite-only ceremony. IMNZ member The Leonard Charles Casiotone Orchestra is scheduled to perform curated live sets for the gathered guests.
THE TAITE MUSIC PRIZE:
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air (NZOA) / The Taite Family
Supporting Partners: NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Native Tongue Music Publishing / Merlin / Media Arts Lawyers / Red Bull Studios
Auckland / MOA Beers / Spy Valley Wines / McCarthy Design
Media Partners: 95bFM / iHeartRadio / Juice TV
Charity Partner: NZ Music Foundation
PREVIOUS TAITE MUSIC PRIZE WINNERS ARE:
2010: Lawrence Arabia 'Chant Darling' (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011: Ladi6 'The Liberation Of' (What? Music)
2012: Unknown Mortal Orchestra 'Unknown Mortal Orchestra' (Seeing Records)
2013: SJD 'Elastic Wasteland' (Round Trip Mars)
2014: Lorde 'Pure Heroine' (Universal Music NZ)
2015: Jakob 'Sines' (Shoot The Freak)
PREVIOUS INDEPENDENT MUSIC NZ CLASSIC RECORD WINNERS ARE:
2013: Gordons 'Gordons' (Flying Nun Records)
2014: AK-79 Various Artists (Ripper Records)
2015: Herbs 'What's Be Happen?' (Warrior Records)
ENDS