Shihad's KILLJOY to be honoured as the 2025 IMNZ Classic Record

Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, The Taite Music Prize‘s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner receives a cash prize of $12,500, to be spent as they wish – with thanks to Founding Partner of the Taite Music Prize, Recorded Music NZ.

Also recognised at the ceremony are the Independent Spirit Award; the Independent Music NZ Classic Record – acknowledging a defining NZ record from our yesteryear

And this year - It's Shihad's KILLJOY

Shihad broke through with their second album Killjoy, released on Wildside Records in 1995, which blended the colossally heavy riffs of debut album Churn, with a newfound pop sensibility. This potent mix would become the signature SHIHAD sound.

Killjoy spawned two Top 20 singles, ‘You Again’ and ‘Bitter’, and won four Aotearoa Music Awards - including Album of the Year, to begin a winning streak that would see SHIHAD collect 18 AMA’s throughout their career and be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

Killjoy also garnered the admiration of legends like Iggy Pop and members of Metallica, with MTV noting their high praise—an endorsement that solidified the album’s place in rock history.

Join us in celebrating a remarkable achievement and a kick-ass album for the ages!