Marlon Williams leads this year’s race to the Aotearoa Music Awards, with seven nominations including for Album of the Year.
It’s the latest success stemming from his acclaimed te reo Māori album Te Whare Tīwekaweka, which debuted at No 1 in the NZ Top 40 Albums chart in April last year.
The awards will also act as a farewell of sorts, as Williams takes a break from music after his upcoming New Zealand tour dates in May.
Lorde, who has collaborated with Williams, has also claimed multiple nominations, including Best Pop and Best Solo Artist, off the back of her hit album Virgin.
She’s again in contention for Single of the Year for What Was That. Lorde won the award last year for her Charli XCX collaboration Girl, so confusing featuring Lorde.
Another international high-flyer, Benee is also up for the Best Pop Artist category alongside Lorde, having released her second studio album Ur an Angel I’m Just Particle last year to critical acclaim.
Home Brew frontman Tom Scott also secured nominations for Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist, and Best Soul/RnB – as well as receiving nods in three of the four Artisan categories for his debut solo album, ANITYA.
LA-based New Zealander Leroy Clampitt is nominated for Best Producer for his work on UK singer Lily Allen’s explosive album West End Girl. He is up against ANITYA’s producer Ben Lawson and Williams and Mark Perkins, who produced Te Whare Tīwekaweka.
“The finalists are a shining example of the range and diversity of musical talent here in New Zealand,” Recorded Music NZ CEO Jo Oliver said.
The awards will take place on Thursday, May 28, at The Civic in Auckland. The ceremony will be live-streamed on RNZ.
NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year
Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year
Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Group
Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist
Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo
Te Māngai Pāho Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist
Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist
Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau | Best Classical Artist
Te Manu Taki Tuawhenua o te Tau | Best Country Music Artist
Te Manu Taki Tāhiko o te Tau | Best Electronic Artist
Te Manu Taki Ahurea o te Tau | Best Folk Artist
Te Manu Taki Ātete o te Tau | Best Hip Hop Artist
Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist
Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau | Best Pop Artist
Te Manu Taki Rakapīoi / Rakatū Pāorooro o te Tau | Best Rock / Metal Artist
Te Manu Taki Taketake o te Tau | Best Roots Artist
Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist
Te Taumata o te Toi | Best Album Artwork
Te Taumata o te Pūkenga Oro | Best Engineer
NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content
Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa | Best Producer