October 11, 2021
Familiar names dominate Waiata Māori Music Awards
L.A.B. and Troy Kingi were the big winners at this year’s Waiata Māori Music Awards, which were held online from Hawke’s Bay because of COVID-19 restrictions.
L.A.B. picked up the best Māori pop album, best song for Why Oh Why, and best Māori group awards.
Troy Kingi’s tohu were for best R’n’B album, best songwriter and best Māori male solo artist.
Sons of Zion’s Love On The Run was the radio airplay song of the year, and Stan Walker collected awards for Tua, the te reo Māori airplay song of the year, and Bigger for best video.
Grove Roots won the roots reggae album category, Kings the best Hip Hop album, Paige was best female solo artist, and Origin Roots Aotearoa was best-emerging artist over 25.
Lifetime achievement awards went to Tā Pita Sharples and Che Fu.