A standalone R&B/Soul category for the New Zealand Music Awards could be on the cards, following a surprising winner's speech by singer Aaradhna.
R&B singer Aaradhna Jayantilal Patel stunned the crowd at the awards night on Thursday by rejecting her gong for Best Urban/Hip Hop album for Brown Girl.
She said she felt she'd been "placed in the category of brown people", saying there should be a Soul/R&B category.
"I feel like if you are putting a soul singer next to a hip hop artist, it's not fair. I'm a singer, I'm not a rapper, I'm not a hip hop artist, it feels like I've been placed in the category of brown people," she told the Vector Arena audience.
"So this song is 'Brown Girl' and it speaks on many things, it speaks on racism and being placed in a box and for me, I feel like if I was to accept this, I would feel like I'm not being truthful in my song."
She instead gave the award to newcomers Swidt, calling them the "future of hip hop".
Recorded Music New Zealand chief executive Damian Vaughn says categories do evolve over time and with consultation with artists and their labels.
The organisation produces the VNZMA each year and also publishes the Official NZ Top 40 Chart.
Aaradhna's suggestion of a new category was something which could be among changes to next year's awards, Mr Vaughn said.
"That's something we'd consider and work with artists who are involved and labels in those categories."
He said the current Urban/Hip Hop award encompassed R&B, soul, funk and hip hop. One thing to consider if a new category was introduced was the number of entries.
"What we have to be conscious of in New Zealand is that, because it is so small, is to make sure we get enough entries for a particular area."
He "hoped" that would be the case.
Mr Vaughn saw Aaradhna's speech as being about the category, rather than race.
If the R&B/Soul category is created, it wouldn't be the first time the categories have had a shake up. The Electronica category was changed to Best Electronic Album, and Best Gospel/Christian was changed to Best Worship Album.
Aaradhna later went on the perform the title song from her album, receiving a standing ovation.
Newshub.
