Rapper wins first Def Jam showcase

Ants Ransley, centre, is the overall winner of the Def Jam New Zealand Showcase. Pictured with Ill Magik co-founder Theo Arrai, left, and hip-hop heavyweight King Kapisi.

Ants Ransley is the overall winner of the first ever Def Jam New Zealand Showcase that lit Wellington's the Grand over the weekend and featured an abundance of budding national hip-hop and R&B talent.

Named overall winner at Saturday's grand final, which culminated six weeks of events around the country, Ants was among the more than 100 artists to have registered for the event.

Now, set to work alongside esteemed American label Def Jam Records, and A&R Michael "Big Mike" Neely, the Waikanae local is set for big things.

"Winning the comp is a huge honour," said Ants, whose rapper name Kirim is quickly locking in a presence nationally and abroad.

"All sorts of emotions are flooding the Kirim camp since Saturday night.

"I'm feeling blessed, thankful and so proud of my team for taking out the showcase."

Atlanta based Neely, who initiated the showcase with event organiser Martha Samasoni, was scheduled to attend the finals but, as he was unable to travel last minute, New York based Def Jam A&R and music executive Brian BWay Cunningham attended instead.

"Over 500 people packed out the four-hour final showcase that enthralled the crowd, with artists from as far north as Whangarei and as far south as Christchurch," Samasoni said.

"Thirty-one artists performed at the 'one song, one shot' event, with 28 artists competing and three under 17 performers also having the chance to perform in front of Mr Cunningham."

Before announcing Ants as the overall winner, judges King Kapisi, music aficionado Tony Murdoch and Samasoni selected three category winners, including Kirim for best solo rapper, Whangarei-based Norty North Movement for best group and Christchurch based singer Satori for best vocalist.

"Throughout the events, we've been judging the up-and-coming performers on their performance skills, crowd interaction, musicality, and marketing and promotions.

"But at the end of it all, it was the artist that has that special quality; who appears ready to move on to the next level."

She said while it was very close, Kirim was considered to have the package of qualities that impressed.

Ants, who performed to a packed venue, said all the performers stepped up their game for the final.

"There's some huge talent coming through at the moment."

Having won $250 worth of product from clothing brand Ill Magik, Ants thanked the event management team, who were doing "amazing things" for New Zealand hip-hop and urban artists.

"We're so thankful and excited to see what they brew up next year.

"The future is bright for the next generation of New Zealand artists."

Having taken a gamble by introducing some last minute details into his live performance, Kirim's performance was met with enthusiasm from fans, who knew the lyrics to his single Free, released two months ago.

"It's great to have some validation that we're on the right track," Ants said.

"The morning after the comp I was sitting in my hotel room discussing the next move with my manager, since there's just so much more to do now.

"This is one more step on our journey and the hard work has only just begun."