The 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards finalists have been announced, with Rob Ruha leading the way.
Ahead of the winners being announced on November 10th, the nominees were revealed yesterday morning. With a huge six nominations, Ruha is the 2022 frontrunner, with the musician up for the following:
Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi o te Tau/Album of the Year for Preservation of Scenery; Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau/Single of the Year for “That’s Where I’ll Be”; Te Kaipuoro Takitahi Toa/Best Solo Artist; Te Māngai Paho Te Kaipuoro Māori Toa/Best Māori Artist; Te Kaipuoro Awe Toa/Best Soul/RnB Artist, and Te Māngai Paho Mana Reo award.
Acclaimed youth choir Ka Hao also fared well, nominated for five awards including Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau/Single of the Year and Te Māngai Paho Mana Reo award for “35” (featuring the aforementioned Ruha), Te Roopu Toa/Best Group, Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa/Best Roots Artist, and Te Māngai Paho Te Kaipuoro Māori Toa/Best Māori Artist for their debut album Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice.
Fresh off the back of winning Best Record (L.A.B. V) at the 2022 Panhead Rolling Stone New Zealand Awards, L.A.B are up for four awards.
Country singer-songwriter Tami Neilson is also nominated for four awards this year, while international icon Lorde has been nominated for awards including Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi o te Tau/Album of the Year for Solar Power.
Other 2022 finalists include Aldous Harding, Marlon Williams, The Beths, Fat Freddy’s Drop, BENEE, Te Kaahu, and Vera Ellen.
“From pop through to classical, electronic, hip hop and soul, there’s so much diversity in the music being created and it’s great to see our recording artists taking charge of their own creativity and pushing boundaries,” Recorded Music New Zealand Kaiwhakahaere o Ngā Tohu Puoro o Aotearoa Sarah Owen says.
“With many of our finalists also first-time nominees it is heartening to see the new generation coming through. The music of Aotearoa is such a valuable part of who we are, and we wouldn’t be the same without it.”
You can check out the full 2022 nominations list here.
