Ōtautahi has a new star and she is ready for her close-up. Niamh Crooks has won a national competition by posting a ‘duet’ on TikTok with homegrown rapper JessB. Her $10,000 in prizes includes a Rockshop prize pack and studio time to further hone her sound. A new microphone is on the shopping list.

The 18-year-old won the public vote to come out on top in the Spark Open Audition comp. She went up against other finalists Gibson Harris (Gibz) and Noah Seuseu, with Niamh’s original song “Devotion” swaying the voters in radio land.

After making the finals, Niamh was teamed up with producer and mentor Edward Liu of recording studio BIG FAN. “Getting the chance to work one-on-one with Edy from BIG FAN was a huge win in itself.”

For his part, Edy sees big things ahead for Niamh. “I was extremely impressed and inspired by how quickly she worked. I would hum a melody and then moments later she'd already have the lyrics worked out. We bounced off each other for ideas regarding song concepts, and it was great to work with someone with such an open mind.”

Niamh was blown away to hear she had won. “I texted my mum, she called me back straight away and I just cried – she was just as stoked as I was and I’m just so grateful for the opportunity.”

Niamh’s win is also a feather in the fascinator of the city’s SOLE Music Academy. Founder Sacha Vee says she encountered Niamh at the academy’s Songwriting Collab Camp in July 2022 and was delighted when Niamh signed up for a 1-year Artist Development Programme.

Sacha passed the competition entry form to Niamh, who jumped at the opportunity. “I'm not surprised she has won. She is without a doubt a star in the making and fully dedicated to making music her career,” Sacha says.

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