Top Pacific artists recognized at Pacific Music Awards
An album of her compositions ‘Lomipeau Aotearoa’ was released in 2017. These unique recordings were performed by Auckland-based dance group Pukepuke o’ Tonga, breathing new life into the sounds and melodies of ancient Tonga through the late Queen’s poetry.KINGS took home Best Pacific Male Artist, APRA Best Pacific Song, and the NZ On Air Streaming Award, as well as SIT/MAINZ Best Producer alongside 10A for their album ‘Lov3 & 3go’.
After falling in love with hip hop dance, Razé evolved her passion into making incredible music. Her single ‘Not About You’ led her to win Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist.The brother duo Adeaze had their first appearance in the Pacific Music Awards back in 2005. And now they’re back with their latest album ‘A Mother’s Love’ released to pay tribute to their late mother, which won PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist this year.
Samoan group Punialava’a received the Lifetime Achievement award in 2018. They’ve continued to produce amazing Pacific music in 2018, earning them the SunPixBest Pacific Language award this year. The NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award went to General Fiyah ft Three Houses Down with their song ‘Here to Stay’.
Melodownz was recognised as this year’s recipient for Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist. After releasing his debut EP in 2017, he has been steady building a name for himself both locally and internationally – opening for the likes of YG, Joey Bada$$ and Raekown of Wu Tang fame. At the end of last year, he released a double EP called ‘HIGH BEAMS’ and has big plans for the remainder of 2019 and beyond.
Chairman and spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says: “The 15th celebration of the Pacific Music Awards speaks of past achievements – but, just as important, the future. Humble Pacific music beginnings with global musical ramifications.
“Tonight, we travel with our Pacific Music Awards mindful of the Rangatahi Auatalavou young people the new finalists, the Wahine Toa strong powerful Pacific woman artists presence and Taonga the treasures of our Pacific languages we have been blessed indeed. We acknowledge the first Melanesian finalists malo.
There are new Pacific sayings when traditional Pacific music engages with urban Pacific music. Our Malaga ola, life journey sings of our Pacific unity and new hope.”
The awards provided a showcase of the best in Pacific music – with an incredible line up throughout the night. Alongside the special tribute performance for Her Majesty Queen Sālote Tupou lll, there were finalist performances by Adeaze, Poetik Melodownz, Razé, Tree, Punialava’a, Jaro Local and Tomorrow People.
The evening closed with a massive medley performance paying tribute to 15 years of the Pacific Music Awards – a fitting way to close the night’s celebration.
CATEGORY
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Nominee / Winner
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Auckland Council
Best Pacific Female Artist Award |
WINNER: Razé – ‘Not About You’
La Coco – ‘Waiting’ Tree – ‘Can We’ Villette – ‘Money’ |
NZ Music Commission
Best Pacific Male Artist Award |
WINNER: Kings – Lov3 & 3go
Melodownz – Melo & Blues POETIK – HAMOFIED EP Sonatane Kaufusi – ‘Birdie’ |
PMN
Best Pacific Group Award |
WINNER: Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
Adeaze – A Mother’s Love SWIDT – The Most Electrifying |
PMN
Best Pacific Gospel Artist Award |
WINNER: Adeaze – A Mother’s Love
Punialava’a – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao Revere – Revere |
Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa
Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist Award |
WINNER: SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
Kings – Lov3 & 3go POETIK – HAMOFIED EP |
Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist Award
|
WINNER: Razé – ‘Not About You’
La Coco – ‘Waiting’ Villette – ‘Not in Love’ |
Pato Entertainment
Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist |
WINNER: Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
Lapi Mariner – ‘Go Back’ Runtingz Family – ‘Runtingz Anthem’ |
Flava
Best International Pacific Artist Award |
WINNER: Jaro Local – Dakini Tangarareh
Bobby Alu – ‘Move’ Kaiit – Live From Her Room EP |
SIT/MAINZ
Best Producer Award |
WINNER: Kings & 10A – Lov3 & 3go
SmokeyGotBeatz – The Most Electrifying, SWIDT Baccyard – Melo & Blues, Melodownz |
NZ On Air
Best Pacific Music Video |
WINNER: Villette ‘Money’ – Directed by Parker Howell, Baron VR
Razé X Edy – ‘Not About You’, Directed by Kiel Tutin & Edward Liu Sonatane Kaufusi – ‘Birdie’ , Directed by: Dave Thomson, Imaginary Friends SWIDT – ‘Who Run It’ Directed by 10Daniel16 |
APRA
Best Pacific Song |
WINNER: Kings – ‘6 Figures’ Written by Kingdon Chapple-Wilson
Church & AP – ‘Ready or Not’ Written by Elijah Manu, Albert Purcell Punialava’a ‘Ana le Seanoa’oe’- written by Rev. Iosefa Lale Peteru |
SunPix
Best Pacific Language |
WINNER: Punialava’a Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao
Adeaze A Mother’s Love Sammy Atoa ‘Samoa Finau’ |
Recorded Music NZ
Best Pacific Music Album Award |
WINNER: Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
Kings – Lov3 & 3go SWIDT – The Most Electrifying |
Phillip Fuemana Award
Most Promising Pacific Artist |
WINNER: Melodownz
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NZ On Air
Radio Airplay Award |
WINNER: General Fiyah feat Three Houses Down – ‘Here To Stay’
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NZ On Air
Streaming Award |
WINNER: Kings – ‘Don’t Worry About It’
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SunPix People’s Choice Award
Best Pacific Artist |
WINNER: Tomorrow People
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Manukau Institute of Technology
Lifetime Achievement Award |
WINNER: Her Majesty Queen Sālote Tupou lll
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About the Pacific Music Awards:
In 2004 the Pacific Music Awards Committee (PMAC) was formed to realise a vision and the inaugural Pacific Music Awards debuted at Pasifika Festival in March 2005. Encouraged by the success of the awards the PMAC set about developing an annual event as a significant highlight of the New Zealand music industry calendar. The awards committee formed a Charitable Trust to organise and host the awards, and are driven by a simple core objective: to create and manage an event that acknowledges the success of Pacific artists, celebrates and promotes excellence in Pacific music and encourages young Pacific musicians to aspire to a higher level of achievement.