Silver Scroll Awards top 20 revealed

A roll-call of standout New Zealand musicians, including Marlon Williams, Ladi6 and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, make up the list of the top 20 songs nominated for this year's Silver Scroll Award - acknowledging the best songs of the year.

Aotearoa Music Awards big winner Fazerdaze has made the list for her single 'Cherry Pie'. Earlier this year, after a break from the limelight, the 32-year-old from Christchurch won album of the year and best solo artist at the AMAs.

Williams' nominated single 'Aua Atu Rā' was the first song he and kaiako KOMMI wrote for his latest album Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his first album in te reo Māori.

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Last year's Silver Scroll winner Anna Coddington is nominated for 'Honey Back', which features Troy Kingi. Coddington took out the top prize in 2024 for bilingual waiata 'Kātuarehe'.

Best Soul/RnB Artist AMA winner Aradhna has been nominated for her song 'Mango Tree' and recent Glastonbury performer Nadia Reid got a nod for her single 'Baby Bright'.

The Silver Scroll top 20 list was decided by a curated list of panelists including songwriters, producers, and performers and APRA members.

Alongside the Silver Scroll Award, finalists have been chosen for the Maioha Top 10. They were selected for their knowledge and understanding of waiata reo Māori and waiata reo rua as well as the current landscape of Māori composition and songwriting.

That lineup includes Williams' single 'Korero Māori' and 'Ki Taku Awa', written and performed by Stan Walker. The 34-year-old, who was a finalist in five categories this year, was also recognised as best Māori artist.

The winners will be announced at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards on Wednesday 29 October at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

'Aua Atu Rā', written by Marlon Williams and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe, performed by Marlon Williams

'Baby Bright', written and performed by Nadia Reid

'Boudoir', written by Aimee Renata and Semisi Ma’ia’i, performed by Erny Belle

'BOYS WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF WOLVES', written by Ruban Nielson, performed by Unknown Mortal Orchestra

'Cherry Pie', written by Amelia Murray, Gareth Thomas, and Leroy Clampitt, performed by Fazerdaze

'Goldfish', written and performed by Emily C. Browning

'Home Alone', written by Sarena Close, performed by Mousey

'Honey Back', written by Anna Coddington, Ruth Smith, Jol Mulholland, Michael Hall, and Fen Ikner, performed by Anna Coddington feat. Troy Kingi

'LightBulb', written by Karoline Park-Tamati, Brent Park-Tamati, and Brandon Haru, performed by Ladi6

'Mango Tree', written by Aaradhna Patel, Chip Matthews, Jeremy Toy, and Jarrod Wood, and performed by Aaradhna

'Margo', written by Nat Hutton, Minnie Robberds, Joel Becker, and Angus Murray, performed by There’s A Tuesday

'New Amsterdam', written by Priya Sami, performed by Bub

'Only You', written by Cello Forrester, Haz Forrester, and Georgette Brown, performed by Womb

'Power', written by Jessica Bourke, Sampa Tembo, Ophlin Russell, Zaidoon Nasir, Mohamed Komba, and Andrew Clews, performed by JessB

'South Coast', written by Deva Mahal and Estère Dalton, performed by Deva Mahal feat. Estère

'Tātarakihi', written by Tawaroa Kawana and Mohi Allen, performed by TAWAZ X MOHI

'The Data', written by Zaidoon Nasir, performed by WHO SHOT SCOTT

'The Letter', written and performed by Zoe Moon

'The Wolf', written by Steph Brown, Fen Ikner, and Ro Bright, performed by LIPS feat. E from Eels

'TORQUE.', written by Hugh Ozumba and Emmanuel Chinonso Nwachukwu, performed by Mazbou Q

'He Piko He Tuna', written by Moetu Smith, Callum McDougall, and Reti Hedley, performed by IA and Rei

'Kei Whati Te Marama', written by Henare Kaa, Tim Driver, Hemi Hoskins, and Rory Matao Noble, performed by Dillastrate

'Ki Taku Awa', written by Stan Roto Walker, Matthew Ian Sandgrove, Rio Panapa, Tawaroa Kawana, and Trojahn Puihi Tuna, performed by Stan Walker

'Korero Māori', written by Marlon Williams, and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe, performed by Marlon Williams

'Murimuri Aroha', written by Hona Black, Maarire Brunning-Kouka, Noema Te Hau III, Sasha Te Whare performed by REED

'Pūhā me te Porohewa', written by Maarire Brunning Kouka, and Hannah White, performed by MĀ

'Taku Kāenga', written by Haami Tuari, Earle Karini and Matt Sadgrove, performed by Haami

'Tātarakihi', written by Tawaroa Kawana, and Mohi Allen, performed by TAWAZ X MOHI

'Te Taumata Ike', written by Anna Coddington, Ruth Smith, Mike Hall, Jol Mulholland, and Fen Ikner, performed by Anna Coddington

'Whakarongo Rā', written by Te Rawhitiroa Bosch, performed by Rawhitiroa