Critics' Choice Awards profile: Randa

Critics' Choice nominee Randa.

Ahead of Wednesday night's Critics' Choice Awards, we talk to Randa, one of this year's three nominees.

Herald: Who are you, where are you from and how did your band/solo project first form?

Randa: My name's Mainard Larkin, I'm a 21 year old rap artist from the North Shore producing work under the name Randa. After graduating high school in 2010, I moved to Sydney for eight months where I lived above a laundromat and spent my days collecting data for a market research company. On the train to work one morning, I came across the music video for Yonkers, a track by Tyler, The Creator. His overall sound and aesthetic was outrageously bold yet still somewhat minimal. Missing my stop that day, I fell in love with rap like never before and began investing in a chill bedroom set up to begin recording.

Describe your sound in less than 50 words:
It's Friday evening, you've just finished your last ever shift at Sears only to realise your crush hasn't texted you back - bittersweet. A single tear is shed, quickly evaporated by the Gardena sun and a call from your pal saying she's spinning at Devon Sawa's crib tonight.

My band name comes from...
My older brother Alistair began calling me Randa when I was about nine years old. I was really into movies like Friday and Next Friday at the time - Chris Tucker was my style icon. I thought his trouser pant, baggy tee and chain look was the trillest thing in the history of all time and tried to dress like him as much as possible. I also have a sister who is six years older than me. My siblings would throw house parties and ask me to breakdance for all their teenage friends. The nickname stemming from my birthname seemed to match this new found style and inclination towards hip hop culture.

My biggest influence is...
Sonically, I really admire work which is highly distinctive and emotionally triggering. Artists such as Danny Brown, Das Racist and Odd Future have always captured my attention with how far they can think outside the box while still communicating a strong message or observation from their surroundings.

My best live show so far has been...
The Big Day Out '14 was an amazing opportunity which provided the chance to perform for a super large audience out in the open air. My friend Reuben aka Totems was also up on stage and it was a whole lot of fun, we got down to some loud beats - a great synergy.

When I/we are on stage we...
In a live setting, the goal is to have as much fun as possible and share those vibes with all those who made the effort to turn up, way up. Aint nothin' like a hyphy crowd.

My 30-minute set at the Critics' Choice prize finals will include...
A chunk of new content (including the Rangers EP), hangry love songs, early bedroom productions and the ridiculously talented Totems on decks.

Winning the Critics' Choice Prize would mean...
To receive the Critics' Choice Prize would be an honour and huge step in the right direction. New Zealand music has entered a really invigorating period over this past while (special as). It's an awesome feeling to be nominated and really motivating in terms of my creative endeavours.

Watch the music video for Frankenstein by Randa:

App users: Tap here to view video

* We'll be live streaming the Critics' Choice Awards on nzherald.co.nz. Tune in from 7.30pm on Wednesday night to watch all the action.

- nzherald.co.nz