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Lorde continues to dominate the New Zealand music scene after being named the winner of the Taite Music Prize for her album Pure Heroine. And she will split the $10,000 cash prize and recording time she won between the award's six other finalists who had not previously won the award.
Independent Music New Zealand business development manager Dylan Pellett said the teenage pop sensation announced she would split her winnings among other finalists via a video presentation.
She was not able to be at the award ceremony in Auckland tonight, which was attended by about 200 people, because she was performing in Las Vegas, Pellett said.
The audience responded postively to Lorde's announcement that she would split her winnings, he said.
Grant Smithies, one of this year's judging panel, described Lorde's album as "smart, challenging and original underground pop".
"Lorde's LP was a rare example of an underground pop record being so damn good, it went mainstream, not just here, but worldwide."
The Taite Music Prize, in a similar vein to international accolades like the British Mercury Prize, recognises outstanding creativity for an entire album. The award, named after music journalist Dylan Taite, was in its fourth year.
The judging panel made their decision based on the artistic merit on the album. Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity were not contributing factors, the award's organisers said.
Meanwhile, the Independent Music NZ Classic Record award went to the AK.79 compilation album. The album was a compilation of tracks by punk bands active in Auckland in the late 1970s.