Since her debut single, ‘Let There Be Hope’, Zimbabwe native Blaq Carrie has continued to roll with the momentum she has worked so hard to gain since migrating to Brisbane ten years ago.
In 2013, ‘Let There Be Light’ won the ‘Urban’ category at the Queensland Music Awards earning BlaqCarrie a place in the winners’ circle that included: Emma Louise, Jeremy Neale, Ball Park Music and The Amity Affliction. It was an achievement that has provided a platform to launch her career. “Winning a QMA changed everything, since then a lot of doors have been opened and there are people wanting to get in touch and work with me,” BlaqCarrie says.
“It was the biggest award I've got my whole life, it was actually my first ever award so it was really, really cool and everything has been so awesome since then.”
Supported by QMusic, the Queensland Music Awards is a statewide search for Queensland’s best and most innovative musicians and songwriters across all musical genres. Since 2011, the ceremony has become the biggest of its kind in Queensland.
After her QMA win, Blaq Carrie performed at Triple J’s Unearthed Spring Hip Hop Festival as well as showcasing at BIGSOUND – this resulted in her being listed in The Guardian’s ‘10 Buzzing Bands From Day 2’. “One of the reasons why I came over here was to try and learn and develop my music and my passions and link with people internationally who love hip hop.
“I came to Brisbane because I was studying and had been accepted into James Cook University… I've just recently started to meet people who are well-connected and it has opened new doors for me,” she says. “I put a lot of hours into my music and each year I can see more and more doors opening and there has been a lot of progress so far.”
This year the Queensland Music Awards took a break – choosing to instead host a Valley Fiesta showcase with exclusive performances by category winners from the class of 2013 – and reset their date cycle. This meant the the QMAs have moved to their new, annual date of March.
With nominations for next year’s awards now open, you can bet BlaqCarrie will look to add to her award cabinet with her ‘Best Wishes’ EP. “After I won I released a free EP (‘Best Wishes’) to let people know I can make good quality music,” she says.
“I’m just letting people know that this is what I want to do. I’m going see you next year with another release.” And hopefully another QMA for this unique hip hop artist on the rise.
Executive Officer for QMusic Denise Foley said: “QMusic is excited to begin the application process for the QMAs, and celebrate the new timing of the Awards moving to the annual date of March in 2015. We wanted to ensure that the finalists and winners were given the uncompromised attention that they deserve.”
