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She still hasn’t released an album, but 18-year-old singer-songwriter Majic Paora has put in the work to be recognised at the top female artist at this year’s Waiata Maori Music Awards.
The Kaipara singer-songwriter’s debut album comes out on German label Oneness in November, and it’s eagerly awaited by the thousands of people here and overseas she has performed her reggae-roots sounds for in the past couple of years.
The ceremony in Hastings on Friday featured a special performance by Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre, featuring Toni Huata, Maisey Rika and Rob Ruha, to honour the late Tama Huata, who started the awards.
Ranea Aperahama took home four titles including Best Maori Male Solo Artist and Best Maori Songwriter.
His album, Tihei Mauri Ora, was judged Best Roots/Reggae Album and Best Maori Traditional Album.
Pop band Six60 won the Best Maori Pop Artist, Best Song and Radio Airplay awards.
Stan Walker won the award for radio airplay of a te reo Maori song for his work on Aotearoa, which was released during Maori Language Week.
Toni Huata won the Best Video prize for Hopukia Te Tao.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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