Auckland MC and rapper PollyHill has been announced as Live Nation and Vodafone New Zealand’s May artist for the ONES TO WATCH programme, joining a growing slate of local musicians who have been recognised for their exceptional talent.
Originally from the small beach town of Omaha, PollyHill is bending genres and making dynamic and experimental rap and hip-hop. Now based in Auckland, she’s described as a “jack of all trades”, mixing her love for music and film together to create music that takes you on an audible journey.
While working in retail, PollyHill and her colleagues would spend the quieter hours making beats while Polly rapped along. The hobby turned into a potential career when she started uploading her tracks online, quickly picking up attention from listeners and becoming a fan favourite of student radio stations.
Before Polly started releasing music, she worked in the film industry, even picking up a nomination at the New Zealand International Film Festival for her short films; she now blends her love of music and film when directing her own music videos. Her debut single Spooky highlights her fresh take on rap and hip-hop, with the accompanying music video, directed by Polly herself, highlighting her talent behind the camera. She’s also extended her music video directing skills to other Kiwi artists, including fellow rapper JessB.
PollyHill is set to turn heads this year after a massive 2020, kicking it off by opening for a personal inspiration of hers, New York MC Wiki. In May 2020, she released her EP Greatest Hits, before rounding out the year by performing at a slate of summer festivals including Rhythm and Vines, Soundsplash, Outfields and Splore. Polly plans to release her follow up project to Greatest Hits in 2021, which will be predominantly produced by herself.
Click here to find out more about PollyHill
Commenting on the rising star, Live Nation promotor Renée Hermsen says: “Tāmaki Makaurau's PollyHill is paving her own path between hip-hop, spoken word and experimental beat making, overlaid with her knife sharp and honest storytelling. She’s one to watch for sure, as she rises from the underground.”
PollyHill joins a quickly growing group of New Zealand artists recognised in the ONES TO WATCH programme, sitting alongside There’s a Tuesday, Muroki, Paige, Park Rd and more. Launched in 2017 in the United States, ONES TO WATCH has helped boost the careers of artists now reaching global stages, including Halsey and Dua Lipa.
Vodafone’s David Redmore said, “Vodafone is incredibly proud of our partnership with Live Nation and the Ones to Watch showcase of awesome emerging talent. Corporate support is a vital part of the music ecosystem in Aotearoa and that support helps make it work for the artists and promoters - and it also helps that we are big music fans as well!”
After launching an exclusive long-term partnership in 2019, Live Nation Australasia and Vodafone New Zealand have provided Vodafone customers access to Live Nation’s entertainment portfolio including music, family and comedy tours and festivals across the country. The strategic multi-year partnership is committed to bringing the best live experiences to New Zealand and the best New Zealand artists to the world. The unique emerging talent platform of ONES TO WATCH builds on this strong partnership and a mutual dedication to support grassroots initiatives.
As well as access to the online platform, Vodafone customers will be given the chance to win tickets to the ONES TO WATCH invitation-only quarterly showcase events. More info and competition details available at: vodafonerewards.co.nz.
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