ARIA Award-winning artist Kaiit launches fundraiser to ‘recover independence’ following label dispute
Melbourne neo-soul and gospel artist Kaiit has launched a campaign to allow her to exit her current record label and continue to release music.
The Papua New Guinea-born singer, who won an ARIA Award for Best Soul / R&B Release for her track ‘Miss Shiney’ in 2019, took to GoFundMe to announce the fundraiser and make note of its personal significance.
“I need to raise these funds in order to be able to recover my independence as an artist, so I can start releasing music again and share my art with you all,” Kaiit wrote, hinting at a professional dispute between her and her record label, Alt. Music Group.
“I’ve set up a personal GoFundMe page in the hope and prayers that my community will give me a hand. By donating to this you are supporting my history and future as an artist.”
The GoFundMe campaign goal has been set at $120,000 and has received more than $55,000 in donations at the time of writing.
The ARIA Award-winning artist also elaborated on her circumstances in a video posted to Instagram, noting her desire to release new music and continue moving forward with her artistic career.
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“It’s taken a lot for me to even allow myself to ask for help, and I’ve been especially considerate of everything that’s happening in the world. But my ancestors and the spirit keep affirming that this is what I’m needing to do in this moment, and I want to honour that,” Kaiit said.
“I need to raise funds in order for me to be able to recover my independence as an artist, for me to share this music with all of you, and to let go, to release. I don’t want to carry this shit anymore. I just want it up and out.”
Several prominent Australian artists voiced their support for Kaiit in the video’s comments, including Tones and I, Tash Sultana and Alice Ivy.
The nature of the dispute with Kaiit’s record label is not completely clear.
TMN has contacted Alt. Music Group and Kaiit to provide further comment on the fundraiser and the dispute. TMN will update the site with their responses should they come through.