Benee wins big, Dudes honoured
Rising pop star Benee has claimed four Tu¯¯ı awards at the New Zealand Music Awards, taking out the biggest night in music with her debut EP.
It’s been a whirlwind year for the 19-year-old Aucklander, real name Stella Bennett, who was named Best Solo Artist as well as Breakthrough Artist of the Year during the awards ceremony at Spark Arena in Auckland.
The four Tu¯¯ı made her the most awarded musician, up against the likes of Aldous Harding and Broods.
She also claimed Best Pop Artist and Single of the Year for her breakout hit Soaked, which was released in September 2018 and achieved platinum certification in New Zealand. As well as receiving four awards, she also performed on the night.
During one of her many acceptance speeches, after being awarded Single of the Year from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Benee took a moment to throw her support behind anyone wanting to drop out of school to follow music.
‘‘If you want to drop out of university, I’m all for you,’’ she said, also thanking her parents for supporting her to leave after just two weeks at university. In the year since leaving, she released her charttopping single Soaked and the EP Fire on Marzz.
Meanwhile, Album of the Year went to the self-titled debut from Tom Scott’s Avantdale Bowling Club, who was also named Best Hip Hop Artist.
Industry heavyweights Six60 took home the Highest Selling Artist Award as well as Radio Airplay Record of the Year and People’s Choice Award.
Top winners
Album of the Year: Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club
Single of the Year: Benee – Soaked
People’s Choice Award - Six60 Best Group: The Beths – Future Me
Hates Me
Best Solo Artist: Benee – Fire On Marzz Breakthrough Artist of the Year:
Benee
Legacy Award: Th’ Dudes
Highest Selling Artist: Six60 Radio Airplay Record of the Year:
Six60
International Achievement: Drax
Project
Best Music Video: Vision Thing – Rock
Bottom (Randa)
Th’ Dudes reunited for a special performance of their classic Kiwi hits after they were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame and honoured with the 2019 Legacy Award.