Kiwi singer Raze on her transition from dancer to soul singer

Ezra Williams, known as Raze, is making her mark on the New Zealand music scene.

The up-and-coming artist has been nominated in three categories at the 2019 Pacific Music Awards. 

She's made the transition from hip-hop dancer to soul singer, crediting her musical family for giving her a nudge.

The 23-year-old South Aucklander is a nominee at this weeks Pacific Music Awards, up for Best Pacific Music Video, Female Artist and Soul Artist.

"Three categories... I can't believe it... it's good," Raze told Newshub.

Raze is performing at the awards, with rehearsals well underway.

"With this performance I want to make sure that we stand out," she said.

She credits her family for her musical roots. Her brother, R&B artist J. Williams, performed with Scribe on the platinum-certified 2010 single, 'You Got Me'.

Her older sister Lavina is a former member of 90s group Ma-V-Elle and her other sister Emily came second in Australian Idol in 2015. 

"So I thought you know what I'm just going to dance... and dance was my first passion," the former hip-hop dancer said.

Raze was part of Identity dance company, which came second at the World Hip-Hop Champs in 2014. 

With encouragement from one of her sisters, Raze soon made the leap from dancer to singer. 

"I thought about it and I said 'hmmm maybe,' and that's when we both clicked."

She's also the face of the Manukau Institute of Technology, and is behind its theme song 'Unstoppable'. 

With a new single out this month, 'Another Lover', Raze's future is looking bright. 

Newshub.