Rei, Troy Kingi and Louis Baker have been recognised for their contribution as Māori musicians to Aotearoa’s local music scene and Te Ao Māori.
Louis Baker, Troy Kingi, and Rei Photo: Supplied
Rapper Rei, Northland psych/reggae/blues musician Troy Kingi and Wellington soul singer Louis Baker are the three finalists for this year’s Best Māori Artist at the NZ Music Awards.
Kerikeri-based musician Troy Kingi is on a mission to release 10 albums in 10 years, in ten different genres. His latest album Holy Colony Burning Acres is 70s roots-reggae. It’s deeply personal and spiritual examination of the plight of First Nations peoples around the world.
Troy won Best Soul/RnB and Best Māori Artist in 2018 for his cosmic funk album Shake That Skinny Ass All The Way To Zygertron. This year Troy is nominated – under the moniker Troy Kingi & The Upperclass – for both Best Māori Artist and Best Roots Artist.
Rapper Rei, Northland psych/reggae/blues musician Troy Kingi and Wellington soul singer Louis Baker are the three finalists for this year’s Best Māori Artist at the NZ Music Awards.
Rei has been releasing music in both te reo Māori and English since 2013. His 2018 EP Rangatira – a unique Kiwi take on traditional trap music – is entirely in Māori.
Earlier this year, Rei released his third album The Bridge, a mx of smooth RnB, hip hop and pop, firlmy rooted in Māori language and culture. Rei is also a finalist for Best Soul/RnB Artist.
Louis Baker has been cultivating a fanbase since 2013, but only released his debut album Open this year. The record features Baker’s uplifting anthem ‘The People’ which captures the loving unity and diversity of Baker’s hometown, Wellington.
The winner of the 2019 Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist will be announced at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | Ngā Tohu Puoro o Aotearoa on 14 November from 8.30pm and broadcast live on Three.
