Mokotron follows up his various noms at Aotearoa Music Awards with winning another big Music prize.
The 2025 winners of the Taite Music Prize have been revealed in a ceremony at Auckland’s Q Theatre, with Mokotron – aka Tiopira McDowell – taking home the top award for outstanding creativity in an album.
According to Rolling Stone AU, his debut release, ‘Waerea’, was described as “a landmark achievement in Aotearoa’s contemporary music history.”
Along with the accolade, Mokotron also received a $12,500 cash prize to support future music projects.
He was up against some tough competition too. The other finalists included Anna Coddington, Dartz, Delaney Davidson, Earth Tongue, Fazerdaze, Georgie Lines, Holly Arrowsmith, Mel Parsons, and Troy Kingi.
The Taite judges called ‘Waerea’ a “bold and uncompromising statement”.
One of the first tracks to drop from the album was ‘Ōhākī’. When it was released, Mokotron shared the haunting and heavy story behind the track’s lyrics and production.
“‘Ōhākī’ was written in response to the death of Queen Elizabeth. Our stolen lands are still held in her name. Now that she has died, who will take responsibility for returning these lands to us?” he said at the time.
Utilising the traditional Māori instrument, the kōauau, a small flute that was often carved from albatross wing bone.
The track features the kōauau – a traditional Māori flute, often carved from the wing bone of an albatross – weaving over a low-end breakbeat, layered with deep and dark throat singing.
It's no surprise Mokotron is also a finalist at the upcoming Aotearoa Music Awards, where he's nominated for Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist, and Best Electronic Artist.
Congrats legend!
