Six60 have emerged as the frontrunners of the newly rebranded 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards with a whopping five nominations.
The Dunedin five-piece received nods for Te Pukaemi o te Tau (Album of the Year), Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau (Single of the Year), Te Roopu Toa (Best Group), Edge Te Kaipuoro Arotini Toa (Best Pop Artist) and the new Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo award, which recognises albums or singles with at least 50 percent te reo Māori content.
Following closely behind is reggae outfit LAB with four Tui nominations including Single of the Year for their chart-topping hit 'In The Air'.
Last year's big winner Benee received three nominations, as did indie pop group The Beths.
After a whirlwind year going from bedroom beat-maker to viral TikTok sensation to international hitmaker, Manurewa High School student Jawsh 685 has been recognised with two nominations - Single of the Year and Spotify Te Kaituhura Puoro Toa o te Tau (Breakthrough Artist of the Year).
Other finalists include Paige, JessB, Stan Walker, Troy Kingi, Drax Project, Villainy, Melowdownz, Tami Neilson and Church & AP.
The Aotearoa Music Awards will take place on Sunday, November 15 at Auckland's Spark Arena and will be broadcast live on The Edge TV from 7pm, before continuing on Three from 8.30pm. The show will also be available to stream on ThreeNow.
Aotearoa Music Awards finalists by category:
Te Pukaemi o te Tau (Album of the Year)
- L.A.B - L.A.B III
- Nadia Reid - Out Of My Province
- Reb Fountain - Reb Fountain
- Six60 - Six60
- Tami Neilson - Chickaboom!
- The Beths - Jump Rope Gazers
Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau (Single of the Year)
- BENEE - 'Supalonely'
- Drax Project ft Six60 - 'Catching Feelings'
- Jawsh685 - 'Savage Love'
- L.A.B - 'In The Air'
- Six60 - 'Please Don't Go'
- Troy Kingi - 'All Your Ships Have Sailed
Te Roopu Toa (Best Group)
- L.A.B. - L.A.B. III
- Miss June - Bad Luck Party
- Six60 - Six60
- The Beths - Jump Rope Gazers
Te Kaipuoro Takitahi Toa (Best Solo Artist)
- BENEE - Stella & Steve
- JessB - New Views
- Nadia Reid - Out Of My Province
- Reb Fountain - Reb Fountain
Te Kaituhura Puoro Toa o te Tau (Breakthrough Artist of the Year)
- CHAII
- Jawsh685
- MELODOWNZ
- Paige
Te Māngai Pāho Te Kaipuoro Māori Toa (Best Māori Artist)
- Maimoa
- Ria Hall
- Stan Walker
Te Kaipuoro Arotini Toa (Best Pop Artist)
- BENEE
- Paige
- Six60
Te Kaipuoro Manohi Toa (Best Alternative Artist)
- Mermaidens
- The Beths
- Reb Fountain
Te Kaipuoro Awe Toa (Best Soul/RnB Artist)
- Haz & Miloux
- Lepani
- Stan Walker
Te Kaipuoro Hipihope Toa (Best Hip Hop Artist)
- choicevaughan
- Church & AP
- Raiza Biza
Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa (Best Roots Artist)
- L.A.B
- Lomez Brown
- Ria Hall
Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo Award
- Maimoa
- Mōhau
- Six60
Te Kaipuoro Tāhiko Toa (Best Electronic Artist)
- Lee Mvtthews
- State of Mind
- Truth
Te Kaipuoro Rakapioi Toa (Best Rock Artist)
- City of Souls
- Devilskin
- Villainy
Te Kaipuoro Kairangi Toa (Best Worship Artist)
- Mōhau
- Kane Adams
- Te Rautini
Te Kaipuoro Inamata Toa (Best Classical Artist)
- Andrew Beer & Sarah Watkins
- Klara Kollektiv
- Matthew Marshall
Other awards to be handed out on the night:
- Te Kōwhiri o te Nuinga (People's Choice Award)
- Tohu Whakareretanga (Recorded Music NZ Legacy Award)
- Te Toa Hoko Teitei (Highest Selling Artist)
- Te Rikoata Marakerake o te Tau (NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year)
- Tohu Tutuki o te Ao (Recorded Music NZ International Achievement)
