Polynesian teen hip-hop producer Jawsh 685 has won his first award since his track 'Laxed - Siren Beat' saw him skyrocket to fame earlier this year.
The 17-year-old Manurewa High School student was acknowledged with a Special Recognition Award at the 2020 Pacific Music Awards which were broadcast online on Saturday night.
In his short speech, Jawsh 685 thanked his supporters, friends and family, as well as God, "for this blessing and opportunity that he's given me".
"Stay stylah, lessgo!" he concluded, later revealing to his Instagram followers how nervous he was while giving his speech.
Sina Aiolupotea-Aiono from the Ministry Of Pacific Peoples, which sponsored the award, praised Jawsh 685 for the success of his collaboration with US pop star Jason Derulo, 'Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)' which was born out of the song's wildly popular run on TikTok, where it became a viral sensation.
The track saw Jawsh 685 become the first Pacific artist and the third New Zealander ever to top the UK singles charts, and recently made the top 10 of Billboards newly launched Global 200 chart.
"The Pacifc Music Awards Trust congratulates Jawsh 685 for your incredible work, for pushing the boundaries and for representing our Pacific community on the world stage.
"We are so proud of you," Aiolupotea-Aiono said.
Other big winners on the night included Auckland hip hop duo Church & AP - who took out three awards - Kings, Tomorrow People and Jordan Gavet.
