Kaiit

{{use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{use Australian English|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | honorific_prefix = | name = Kaiit | honorific_suffix = | image = Kaiit (50117933436).jpg | image_upright = | image_size = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = Kaiit performing at Laneway 2020 | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = Kaiit Bellamia Waup | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|10|29|df=y}} | birth_place = Papua New Guinea | origin = Melbourne, Australia | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = Neo soul | occupation = Singer | years_active =  | label = | associated_acts = | website =  }}

'''Kaiit''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|ɑː|ˈ|iː|t}} {{Respell|kah|EET}}) is the performance name of '''Kaiit Bellamia Waup''' (born 29 October 1997, Papua New Guinea), who is a neo soul singer-songwriter based in Australia. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, they won the inaugural Best Soul/R&B Release category for the single, "Miss Shiney" (2019).

==Biography==

Kaiit was born as Kaiit Bellamia Waup,<ref name="Kim">{{Citation |last=Kim |first=Soey |date=2 October 2018 |title=Kaiit Is Australia's 'Homegirl' You Need to Know Right Now |periodical=Vogue |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/kaiit-australian-singer-album-2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tahw24yMD6Y&t=369s|title=Kaiit on Speaking What She Wants into Existence |work=YouTube |date=9 September 2019 |access-date=3 July 2022 }}</ref> in 1997 in Papua New Guinea (PNG)<ref name="Mantesso">{{cite web |last=Mantesso |first=Sean |date=3 November 2017 |title=PNG-Born Singer Kaiit Making Waves on Australian Music Scene |publisher=ABC Radio Australia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/png-born-singer-kaiit-making-waves-on-australian/9114868 |access-date=15 April 2024 }} ''n.b.'' Associated audio file is no longer available</ref><ref name="Wehner">{{cite web |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/features/kaiit-interview-feb-2023/ |title=Kaiit: 'We Continue to Keep Pushing, Despite not Getting the Recognition' |first=Cyclone |last=Wehner |website=MusicFeeds |date=10 February 2023 |access-date=15 April 2024 }}</ref> to a Papua New Guinean father and Indigenous Australian mother of Gunditjmara and Torres Strait Islander heritage.<ref name="Wehner" /> The artist grew up in both PNG and Australia.<ref name="Wehner" /> Initially pursuing a career as a make-up artist, Kaiit turned to performing as a singer based in Melbourne.<ref name="Wehner" /><ref name="Campbell">{{Citation | last = Campbell | first = Amy | date = 16 August 2019 | title = Soul Music Is Having A Global Renaissance & Kaiit Is Flying Australia's Flag | periodical = GQ | url = https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/music/soul-music-is-having-a-global-renaissance-kaiit-is-flying-australias-flag/image-gallery/37df47bbd11691d6dd8472975b45d696?pos=2 }}</ref>

Kaiit's first single, "Natural Woman", was issued in mid-2017.<ref name="Mantesso" /> It is co-written by Kaiit with Michael Chan, Jack Hewitt, Michael Cooper and Mohamed Komba.<ref name="APRA Natural">{{cite web |publisher=APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) |title=Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Natural Woman' |url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Natural%20Woman&writer=&performer=kaiit |access-date=16 April 2024 }}</ref> Sonny Thomas of ''Purple Sneakers'' praised the song, "Jam-packed with soul and seemingly effortless cool, she shines on her new single and film clip."<ref name="Thomas 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.purplesneakers.com.au/2017/06/watch-kaiit-natural-woman/ |title=Watch Kaiit's Effortless Cool on 'Natural Woman' |first=Sonny |last=Thomas |website=Purple Sneakers |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20190411055106/http://www.purplesneakers.com.au/2017/06/watch-kaiit-natural-woman/ |archive-date=11 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2024 }}</ref> It is included on their five-track debut extended play, ''Live from Her Room'', which was issued in September 2018.<ref name="Wehner" /><ref name="Brancatisano">{{cite web |url=http://beat-test.studiomoso.com.au/kaiit-live-from-her-room/ |title=Kaiit: ''Live From Her Room'' |first=Gloria |last=Brancatisano |website=Beat |date=21 April 2018 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20200407104111/http://beat-test.studiomoso.com.au/kaiit-live-from-her-room/ |archive-date=7 April 2020 |access-date=16 April 2024 }}</ref> Gloria Brancatisano of ''Beat'' rated it at 8.5 out-of 10, "Kaiit paints a picture of a woman who understands her worth, appreciating those who come into her life to improve it while carefully removing those who are toxic."<ref name="Brancatisano" />

Another single, "OG Luv Kush Pt 2", from the EP had been issued in 2018, which is "an essay of reasons to leave a relationship and in spite of the listed problems, Kaiit shows her strength in character."<ref name="Brancatisano" /> The track was shared on social media by American singer, Jill Scott.<ref name="Wehner" /> At the APRA Music Awards of 2019 "OG Luv Kush Pt 2" was short-listed for Song of the Year.<ref name="noise11" /> In that year the singer-songwriter undertook a European tour including a performance at England's The Great Escape Festival.<ref name="Wehner" /> In May 2019 the single, "Miss Shiney", was released.<ref>{{Citation | last = Weily | first = Evie | date = May 2019 | title = Neo-Soul Queen Kaiit returns with new single, 'Miss Shiney' | periodical = Purple Sneakers | url = https://www.purplesneakers.com.au/2019/05/listen-kaiit-miss-shiney/ }}</ref> It won the inaugural Best Soul/R&B Release category at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019.<ref name="ARIA 2019 Wins">{{cite news |url=https://www.ariaawards.com.au/News/2019/2019-ARIA-Award-Winners-Announced |title=2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |date=27 November 2019 |access-date=29 November 2019 }}</ref><ref name="MediaWeek Nov19">{{cite news |url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/aria-awards-2019/ |title=ARIA Awards 2019: Tones and I Wins Big & Human Nature Hall of Fame |work=MediaWeek |date=27 November 2019 |access-date=29 November 2019 }}</ref><ref name="Brandle">{{Citation |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=10 October 2019 |title=Tones and I Leads 2019 ARIA Awards Nominations |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8532623/tones-and-i-leads-2019-aria-awards-nominations }}</ref>

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the artist turned to crowdfunding to maintain their independence from major record labels.<ref name="Wehner" /> In August 2021 they launched a GoFundMe page to "recover [her] independence as an artist" and continue releasing new music.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 August 2021 |title=Kaiit is fundraising to regain her "independence", continue releasing music |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/kaiit-is-fundraising-to-regain-her-independence-continue-releasing-music-3030359 |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=NME Australia}}</ref> They performed new material in February 2023 at Nocturnal x Midsumma held at Melbourne Museum.<ref name="Curran">{{cite web |url=https://concreteplayground.com/melbourne/event/nocturnal-x-midsumma-2023 |title=Nocturnal x Midsumma 2023, Melbourne |first=Libby |last=Curran |website=concreteplayground.com |date=9 February 2023 |access-date=16 April 2024 }}</ref> In March 2024 the singer supported Zambian-born Sampa the Great at Supreme Court Gardens, Melbourne.<ref name="Horak">{{cite web |url=https://pelicanmagazine.com.au/2024/03/28/a-review-of-sampa-the-great-a-spectacle-in-the-supreme-court-gardens/ |title=A Review of Sampa the Great: A Spectacle in the Supreme Court Gardens |first=Emma |last=Horak |website=Pelican |date=28 March 2024 |access-date=16 April 2024 }}</ref> Kaiit performed new songs, "2000 n Somethin'" and "Dumb Sis Juice", by "Combining fluid jazz sounds with wavy, celestial vocals, Kaiit delivered a quirky, intimate performance that left listeners feeling giddy and euphoric."<ref name="Horak" />

Kaiit's debut studio album ''And Off She Goes'' is scheduled for released in May 2025.<ref name="AOSG">{{cite web|url=https://www.frankie.com.au/article/life-on-tour-with-neo-soul-singer-songwriter-kaiit-611951|title= life on tour with neo soul singer-songwriter, kaiit|website=Frankie|date=September 2024|access-date=18 January 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life== Kaiit is non-binary,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Subvrtmag|date=2022-01-25|title=Return to Me: An Ode to Gender Non-Conforming Musicians|url=https://www.subvrtmag.com/kaiit-musician-gender-non-conforming/|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Subvrt Mag|language=en-US}}</ref> and uses ''she/her'', ''he/him'', and ''they/them'' pronouns.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kaiit (@kaiit_isshe) • Instagram photos and videos|url=https://www.instagram.com/kaiit_isshe/}}</ref> Her partner in life is fellow singer Adrian Eagle,<ref name="Wehner" /><ref>{{cite news|title =From housing trust homes to the ARIAs, Adrian Eagle's career is soaring to new heights|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-30/adrian-eagles-music-career-soars-after-troubled-youth/11738322|date=30 November 2019|first=Matthew|last=Smith |access-date =30 November 2019}}</ref> who was also nominated for Best Soul/R&B Release in 2019 for his single "AOK".<ref name="Brandle" />

==Discography== ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of albums released, with selected details about release date and label ! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Details |- ! scope="row"| ''And Off She Goes'' | * Released: 16 May 2025<ref name="AOSG"/> * Label: Big Sis Energy Records * Formats: digital download, streaming |}

===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of extended plays released, with selected details about release date and label ! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Live from Her Room'' | * Released: 14 September 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/live-from-her-room-ep/1433449000|title=Live from Her Room – EP by Kaiit on Apple Music|publisher=Apple Music|date=14 September 2018|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref> * Label: Alt Music Group * Formats: digital download, streaming |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles as lead artist ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:20em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:11em;"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "Natural Woman"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/father-said-single/580891352|title=Father Said – Single by Kaiit|website=Apple Music|date=15 June 2017|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-date=31 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831042127/https://music.apple.com/au/album/father-said-single/580891352|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rowspan="2"| 2017 | ''Live from Her Room'' |- ! scope="row"| "2000 N Somethin"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/2000-n-somethin-single/1299691588|title=2000 N Somethin – Single by Kaiit|website=Apple Music |access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref> | {{n/a|non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "OG Luv Kush p2"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/og-luv-kush-pt-2-single/1396105709|title=OG Luv Kush P2 – Single by Kaiit|website=Apple Music|date=15 June 2018|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref> | 2018 | ''Live from Her Room'' |- ! scope="row"| "Miss Shiney"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/miss-shiney-single/1459606674|title=Miss Shiney – Single by Kaiit|website=Apple Music|date=3 May 2019|access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> | 2019 | {{tba|to be confirmed}} |- ! scope="row"| "Space"<ref name="AOSG"/> | rowspan="2"| 2024 | rowspan="2"| ''And Off She Goes'' |- ! scope="row"| "Lil Mama Theme Song"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sniffers.co.nz/article/kaiit-shares-toungue-in-cheek-new-neo-soul-single-lil-mamas-theme-song|title= Kaiit shares tongue-in-cheek new neo-soul single and music video, 'Lil Mama Theme Song'|website=Sniffers|date=22 November 2024|access-date=23 November 2024}}</ref> |- |}

====As featured artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles as featured artist ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:20em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:11em;"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "Warning" {{small|(with Cookin' on 3 Burners)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/warning-feat-kaiit-single/1415456878|title=Warning – Single by Cookin' on 3 Burners & Kaiit|website=Apple Music|date=10 August 2018|access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Cookin' on 3 Burners | title=Lab experiments. Vol. 2 | date=2018 | publisher=Origin Music | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/234299287 | access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref> | 2018 | ''Lab Experiments Vol. 2'' |- |}

==Awards and nominations== ===APRA Awards=== The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |title=APRA History |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) |access-date=25 April 2022 }}</ref> {{Awards table}} ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2019 | "OG Luv Kush Pt 2" by Kaiit <br> (Kaiit Waup, Michael Chan, Anthony Douglas, Mohamed Komba, Jaydean Miranda, Damian Smith) | Song of the Year | {{shortlisted}} | <ref name="noise11">{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/2019-apra-awards-nominees-announced-20190327|title= 2019 APRA Awards nominees announced|publisher=noise11|date= 27 March 2019|accessdate=29 March 2019}}</ref> |- | 2020 | "Miss Shiney" by Kaiit <br>(Kaiit Waup, Vincent Goodyer, Nicholas Martin) | Song of the Year | {{shortlisted}} | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/apra-2019-song-year-finalists/_zQbExIVFBc/06-02-20|title=APRA Has Revealed The 2020 Song Of The Year Finalists|website=The Music|date=6 February 2020|access-date=26 April 2022}}</ref> |- | 2025 | rowspan="1"| "Space" by Kaiit<br>(Kaiit Waup, Jake Amy, Anthony Liddell, Jaydean Miranda, Justin Smith) | Most Performed R&B / Soul Work | {{won}} |rowspan="1"| <ref name="APRA25 wins">{{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/amyl-and-the-sniffers-kevin-parker-win-big-at-2025-apra-music-awards/|title=Amyl and the Sniffers, Kevin Parker Win Big at 2025 APRA Music Awards |website=The Music Network|date=30 April 2025|access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> |- |}

===ARIA Music Awards=== The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. {{awards table}} |- | 2019 | "Miss Shiney" | Best Soul/R&B Release | {{won}} |- {{end}}

===Music Victoria Awards=== The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-nominees|title= Previous Nominess|website= Music Victoria|access-date= 13 August 2020|archive-date= 19 September 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200919214225/https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-nominees|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-winners|title=Previous Winners|website=Music Victoria|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731040330/https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-winners|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{awards table}} ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | rowspan="3"| 2018 | herself | Best Hip Hop Act | {{nom}} | rowspan="4"| |- | herself | Breakthrough Act | {{nom}} |- | herself | Archie Roach Award for Emerging Talent | {{won}} |- | 2019 | herself | Best Hip Hop Act | {{nom}} |- |rowspan="1"| 2024 | "Space" | Best Song or Track | {{nom}} |rowspan="1"| <ref name="2024MVAnom">{{cite web|url= https://themusic.com.au/industry/g-flip-hiatus-kaiyote-ninajirachi-dominate-music-victoria-awards-nominations/TdjzQUBDQkU/02-09-24| title=G Flip, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ninajirachi Dominate Music Victoria Awards Nominations|website=The Music|date=2 September 2024|access-date=2 September 2024}}</ref> |- {{end}}

===Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition=== The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/competitions/vanda-young-global-songwriting-competition#_89667|title=About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition|website= APRA AMCOS|access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref>

{{awards table}} |- | 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/competitions/vanda-young-global-songwriting-competition/past-winners|title=Past Winners|website=APRA AMCOS|access-date=13 March 2021|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309005731/https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/competitions/vanda-young-global-songwriting-competition/past-winners|url-status=dead}}</ref> | "Miss Shiney" | Unpublished prize | {{won}} |- {{end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:1997 births Category:Papua New Guinean singers Category:Living people Category:21st-century Australian singers Category:APRA Award winners Category:ARIA Award winners Category:Musicians from Melbourne Category:Australian non-binary musicians Category:Non-binary singers Category:Australian LGBTQ singers