North Shore rapper Randa has been awarded this year's Critics' Choice Prize.
The 21-year-old beat Wellington soul singer Estere and folk artist Lake South to win the award after each performed a half-hour set at Auckland venue the King's Arms last night.
Chosen by industry experts and critics in the crowd, the Frankenstein singer wins a $10,000 grant and industry mentoring.
Mainard Larkin told the Herald he chose a career in rap while living in Sydney and hearing the track Yonkers by Tyler, the Creator while heading to work on a train.
"Missing my stop that day, I fell in love with rap like never before and began investing in a chill bedroom set up to begin recording," he said.
