Next generation of artists ready to take over

While we’re taking a second to enjoy how Aotearoa Music Awards rolls off the tongue (previously the New Zealand Music Awards), I’d like to point out a couple of bright spots in the local music scene that make me very excited about the future.

New Zealand has always punched above its weight in terms of international success, but since Lorde burst through the glass ceiling in 2013, it feels like all bets are off.

Young people continue to find new ways to get international attention.

Jawsh 685 (real name Josh Nanai, a 17-year-old from Auckland’s Manurewa High) will surely win Best Breakthrough and Single of the Year for Laxed – Siren Beat. This song is so catchy you need to stay socially distanced to keep it out of your head and has been streamed more than a billion times.

It was later discovered by pop star Jason Derulo and jettisoned to No 1 on the global charts.

It’s testament to two things – a good beat is a good beat, and the world is so small new songs ripple across it in seconds.

Another teenager who has infiltrated United States charts this year is professional goofball and fulltime earworm generator Benee.

Benee went viral on TikTok, hit the top 40 in the US, got herself on Jimmy Fallon and is about to have amassive summer headlining Rhythm and Vines.

She’s nominated for Best Single, Solo and Pop Artist and although she may play the goofball on stage, she just started her own record label and signed her first artist.

But what really gets me excited is the pair who just swept the Pacific Music Awards. Church& AP are so good it’s intimidating. They picked up Best Group, Best Hip Hop and the radio airplay award for their song Ready or Not.

That song not only dominated radio here, it got the attention of the BBC. So, barely out of school, the duo – Elijah

Manu and Albert Purcell – popped over to London for a few shows and a radio interview where they dissed Drake. Respect.

Listen to At Thy Feet (Side A) and take 13 minutes to hear genius at work. It kicks off with Ohnine, a subversive anthem to their hometown Auckland and ends with the masterful Yeah Nah, which feels like the cleverest, craziest local hit since Can’t Get Enough.

They stretch songs around clever hooks in different styles, like the party vibes on Rollit. All killer, no filler.

They won their awards, released this brilliant EP and, in the same week, Church (Manu), a first-time voter, took politicians to school in a series of interviews which, frankly, were some of the most insightful conversations of the election cycle. Awe-inspiring stuff.

The future is bright, young and coming, whether you’re ready or not.