Silicon Wins Taite Music Prize, Upper Hutt Posse awarded NZ Classic Record

Silicon, Kody Nielson's solo project was named winner of the Taite Prize for 2016, for his album Personal Computer.

This prestigious prize, which comes with $10,000 is awarded by an industry panel for creative excellence.

Nielson's record was lauded for its innovation and vision, beating other nominees The Phoenix Foundation, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, SJD, Marlon Williams, Anthonie Tonnon, Nadia Reid, and Princess Chelsea.

The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award was also announced - an acknowledgement of New Zealand's rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and define who we are. This year's panel chose Upper Hutt Posse for their record E Tu, released in 1988 by Jayrem Records.

Tame Iti presented the award to Dean Hapeta, Matthew Hapeta, DLT, and Teremoana Rapley, congratulating them on E Tu's significance in a political and cultural sense as well as a musical one.