2013 Pacific Music Awards Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2013 Pacific Music Awards have been announced and it’s the ladies who are racking up multiple nominations.

Exotic Porirua songstress Aaradhna stands out for special recognition with five nominations and will go head to head with Neo-soul singer Iva Lamkum who is nominated four times.

Well known for her soulful R & B voice, Aaradhna has been nominated in a new category for the awards this year, the New Zealand on Air Best Music Video for her song “Lorena Bobbitt” produced with Tom Gould. She’s also been nominated for Best Pacific Female Artist, Nui FM Best Pacific Urban Artist and also Best Pacific Music Album for her new album ‘Treble & Reverb’ and the APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘Wake Up’.

Aaradhna is the first artist since the Pacific Music Awards started who has received five nominations for one awards ceremony.

Iva Lamkum’s 2012 album ‘Black Eagle’ is nominated for Best Pacific Album and the 26 year old Wellingtonian is also nominated for Best Pacific Artist. Like Aaradhna, Lamkum is also up for Best Music Video for her work with Askew on the song ‘Doo Bop’, which has also been nominated for Best Pacific Song.

Vince Harder joins Iva and Aaradhna in the battle for Best Pacific Music Video with his 2012 release ‘Far From Here’ produced with Mark Arona and Shae Sterling.
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ivalamkum-blackeagle.pngThe winner of the Best Pacific Music Video category will be presented with a Tui and recognised at the New Zealand Music Awards later this year.

In the NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist category, Hip Hop stalwart Savage is nominated for his work on his 2012 album ‘Mayhem and Miracles’. This is his 6 Pacific Music Awards nomination in his music career. He will compete against Swiss and Vaniah Toloa for their work on ‘Slow Wind’ and ‘Tofi O Tamatane’.

The Homebrew crew, who were the winners of the Best Urban/Hip Hop Album at last year’s Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, are also nominated this year for the Radio 531PI Best Pacific Music Album as well as Best Pacific Music Group. They will line up against Tomorrow People in both categories.

In the Best Pacific Music Language Category church group Mangere Congregational Church of Jesus are joined by Mr Tanoa and Vaniah Toloa as they battle it out for the top spot.

A total of 12 artists and groups have been announced as finalists by the Pacific Music Awards Trust, at a function in Auckland's Aotea Centre tonight. The evening is held in association with the Auckland Arts Festival and is supported by ATEED, as part of the ‘Pacific As’ programme for Pacific events.

Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says, “Aotearoa has a wealth of musical talent in the pacific community. This year’s line-up shows some talented artists being recognised for their passion to produce great music. It’s also good to see the female artists taking such a prominent position with the most nominations this year.”

“The nominees this year are a great mix of talent and show us all that Pacific culture is alive and well in New Zealand”.

The awards are in their ninth year and winners are to be announced at an event celebrating and honouring Pacific music and artists at the TelstraClear Pacific Events centre on 30 May.

Tickets for the awards ceremony are available from xx March through TicketDirect. www.ticketdirect.co.nz

0800 224 224 (Please note a booking fee may apply)
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