Benee wins four awards, Th’ 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 chart-topping 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. Indie pop band The Beths also took home two Tu¯ ı¯ for
Best Group and Best Alternative Artist, while Best Ma¯ ori Artist went to Troy Kingi, who also picked up Best Roots 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. Six60 lead singer Matiu Walters said it was humbling to receive three awards, as they hadn’t actually released any new music during the judging period for this year’s awards. The awards they received were as fan favourites, and for high sales and radio play.
Among other winners were Villainy, who were named Best Rock Artist, Bailey Wiley who won the award for Best Soul/RnB artist, and Tali who claimed Best Electronic Artist. 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.
Recorded Music NZ chief executive Damian Vaughan said this year’s awards celebrated both newcomers and past favourites, showing the continued growth of the New Zealand music scene. ‘‘The calibre of talent just keeps getting better each year with more and more of our talented Kiwi musicians making an impact both in Aotearoa and abroad,’’ he said.