The 21-year-old beat Wellington soul singer Estere and folk artist Lake South to win the award after each performed a half-hour set at Auckland venue the King's Arms last night.
Chosen by industry experts and critics in the crowd, the Frankenstein singer wins a $10,000 grant and industry mentoring.
Mainard Larkin told the Herald she chose a career in rap while living in Sydney and hearing the track Yonkers by Tyler, the Creator while heading to work on a train.
"Missing my stop that day, I fell in love with rap like never before and began investing in a chill bedroom set up to begin recording," she said.
After her win, Randa told the King's Arms crowd she was "blown away".
"Those were some really unbelievable sets tonight."
Before her win, she told the Herald just being nominated was "an honour".
"It's an awesome feeling to be nominated and really motivating in terms of my creative endeavours."
By Chris Schulz of NZ Herald
