Aotearoa and Pasifika icon, Tigilau Ness and his Pasifika roots reggae band, Unity Pacific, have released three albums. From Street to Sky (2003), Into the Dread (2007) and Blackbirder Dread (2016). Tigilau is known for his socially and spiritually conscious songs that speak to the dispossessed and encourage us all to live in unity. Tigilau and his band are working on their fourth album and last year in 2023, released two singles ‘Rise Up’ and ‘Integrity’ on all digital platforms.
 
Nominated for:
BEST PACIFIC ROOTS/REGGAE ARTIST
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Their Story began with SUPA - SAINTZUP Performing Arts which was founded in 2009 and is based in Auckland, NEW ZEALAND. SUPA is a Community Performing Arts Programme for young people aged 3YEARS - 17YEARS.

Majority of TONE6 Members have been part of the SUPA Programme for 6-7Years and under the Vocal & Music Direction of the SUPA Co-Programme Founder and Director NAINZ TUPA'I who is one-half of ADEAZE.

Although they have closed their journey together in music as a group to pursue individual goals, the impact of the music they have created and arranged will forever inspire and encourage those who need to hear its message.
 
 
Nominated for:
531pi BEST PACIFIC GOSPEL ARTIST
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Tha Movement is an Otara based independent artist who’s career spans several decades.  From his early days working alongside fellow Otara based artists Facekiller and Ermehn, among others, Tha Movement has built a solid foundation based on culture and connection to his hood and community.
With a series of notable releases including Transition of a Madman (2015), The Undisciplined Son (2017) and his latest album, Cut From a Different Cloth (2023), Tha Movement has allowed us to witness his evolution as an artist, and as a Samoan man, born and raised in NZ.
With an undeniable presence in the studio and on stage, Tha Movement weaves a powerful narrative that will leave you convinced.
 
 
Nominated for:
MATAI BEST PACIFIC HIP HOP ARTIST
NZ ON AIR BEST PACIFIC MUSIC VIDEO
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Introducing Teo Glacier, the rising R&B sensation from New Zealand, renowned for his
soulful original songs that evoke the nostalgic vibe of 1990s R&B. On his 18th birthday,
Teo made a significant stride in his career by signing with Auckland based label Five AM,
and managed by both Rory Noble & Cam Noble marking the beginning of an exciting
journey in the music industry.
Teo's partnership with Five AM, has provided him with a global platform to showcase his
talent. His captivating presence on TikTok has further propelled his rise to fame, with music
videos featuring his original compositions and soulful covers captivating audiences
worldwide.
With his smooth vocals, authentic lyrics, and undeniable charisma, Teo Glacier is poised to
leave a lasting impression on the R&B scene, solidifying his position as one of the genre's
most promising talents.
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Nominated for:
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG

The multi award winning rap group SWIDT is a 5 man collective who hail from the boroughs of Stoneyhunga, 312. The members are SmokeyGotBeatz, SPYCC, INF, JAMAL & Boomer Tha God. Their impressive catalogue boasts Smokey's SWIDT vs. Everybody, STONEYHUNGA, STONEYHUNGA BOOTLEG EP & The Most Electrifying EP. In their short amount of time on the scene SWIDT have garnered a cult following through their infectious music, wild live shows, colourful fashion, and their charismatic personalities. SWIDT have been nominated and have won many awards over the past four years at the VNZMA, PMA, Silver Scrolls & New Zealand Music Award for Critic’s Choice Prize. They have also been the supporting act of a number of international artists namely Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Wutang Clan & Post Malone. Before 2020 ends they plan to release a 3 single pack titled ‘GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES’ to hold their fans over until 2021, as they plan to release their highly anticipated Sophomore album.
 
Nominated for:
FLAVA BEST PACIFIC GROUP
MATAI BEST PACIFIC HIP HOP ARTIST
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG
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Stanley T, a genre-blending sensation. With roots in rap to dancehall, he owns the stage, captivating audiences worldwide. Watch out for this rising phenomenon!
 
An upcoming artist from the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. Stanley T began recording music mid-2018, under different alias’ exploring many different genres including Rap, Dancehall, Reggae, Country and Lo-fi to name a few. A singer and rapper, Stanley T continuously merges his sound into many different genres. The artist had begun recording music from the back seat of his car so as to tick another goal off of his bucket list, regardless of his lack of resources and knowledge on how to record, mix or master his sound at the time. Attracting the attention of many, Stanley T soon found that his sound, pen game and message was something that he would like to continue to share with the world. Showcasing his skills within the rap game, Stanley T was involved in several online rap battles against other local rappers including Juwan and Lisi, which in turn attracted the interest of many watching. The artist also has experience in live performances and has warmed up the stage for many well-known artists such as Jaro Local, Lomez Brown, Tree and Swiss to name a few, in preparation to take his live sets internationally within the coming year.
 
Nominated for:
BEST PACIFIC ROOTS/REGGAE ARTIST
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Founded in Wellington, New Zealand, Signature Choir has become synonymous with pacific excellence, selling out some of New Zealand's biggest and prestigious venues such as the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington and Auckland's Spark Arena. Videos from these shows have garnered millions of social media views, highlighting the impact of the choir's performances.
Signature Choir is has also the first ever Pacific choir to collaborate with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on such a scale, pioneering the groundbreaking album "Mana Moana, live at the Michael Fowler Centre," that fuses our beloved pacific harmonies with the might of a full symphonic orchestra.
The Mana Moana album also charted on the Hot NZ Music Charts, resonating with listeners worldwide.  With each performance, Signature Choir embodies the spirit of unity and Pasifika pride, showcasing the beauty and diversity of Pacific music to the world.
 
 
Nominated for:
531pi BEST PACIFIC GOSPEL ARTIST
SUNPIX BEST PACIFIC LANGUAGE
RECORDED MUSIC NZ TE PUKAEMI TOA O TE MOANA NUI A KIWA BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
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Tribal. Supremely talented. Fiercely noble. Richly proud. Shepherds Reign are bringing their house to your ears, mind and heart, their power and passion unequivocal, their musical voices luminescent and majestic.
Hailing from South Auckland New Zealand, and thus Polynesian by birth and blood, Filiva’a James (vocals and keytar), Gideon Voon (guitar), Oliver Leupolu (guitar/production), Shaymen Rameka (drums) and Joseph Oti-George (bass) are not playing games. Shepherds Reign is life, Shepherds Reign is survival, Shepherds Reign is mental and physical health and Shepherds Reign is what they are on this planet to do. Their voice is their mighty, fearsome music and their vocation is to share with the world every aspect of lives and cultures deserve the international ear. Whether unleashing the raw, guttural tribal roar of ‘Aiga’ or the biker-rough riffery which is ‘Ua Masa'a’, there is a special passion and power in every single note Shepherds reign share with the world, a rare presence which demands the world stage.
As for their live show, Shepherds Reign are famous in Australasia for their primal performance, one which evokes many aspects of their cultural heritage and fierce Polynesian pride. There’s the enormous intimidating presence of James, a towering hulk of humanity adorned with the shark tooth necklace (as are all the band members) who demands your full attention and gets it. Then there’s the gargantuan riffs and twisting dual melodies of Voon and Leupolu, whose virulent virtuosity is undeniable. Rounding out the sound is the crushing, bombastic Rameka/George rhythm section, which gives Shepherds reign their propulsive, dynamic metal sound.
 
 
Nominated for:
FLAVA BEST PACIFIC GROUP
SUNPIX BEST PACIFIC LANGUAGE
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG
NZ ON AIR BEST PACIFIC MUSIC VIDEO
MPGNZ/SAE CREATIVE MEDIA INSTITUTE BEST PRODUCER
RECORDED MUSIC NZ TE PUKAEMI TOA O TE MOANA NUI A KIWA BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
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Shane Walker (Cook Island/Māori) born from a musically driven family, with strong Kuki ties, is an artist born and raised in the Home of the Brave "Otara". Despite being your average South Auckland teenager growing up, he has drawn from his life experiences, love of music, Cook island influences, fused it all together, to create melodic, rhythmic masterpieces.
He started his career with his uncle Rahui "Brother Love" Vaka and Father Dion DHarp Paekau at an early age, and with the international smash hit "Roimata" it is evident and clear to see it was a natural progression for Shane to become an artist in his own right. He shared his early music with the Auckland underground scene under the name ESDUB, which was well-received, however after going through some hard times, Shane came to the revelation that he wanted to be known more as a serious artist. With great pride, Shane chose to rename himself "Shane walker". On the 4th of October 2020, Shane and Buddah Stixx formed the group "TEAM MUSIC", adding Jamezy Ru and David Kimi to the roster.
 
 
Nominated for:
BEST PACIFIC ROOTS/REGGAE ARTIST
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Tāmaki Makaurau’s fast rising Kuki crooner, Sam V, is fast becoming the poster boy of Pacific R&B. 
A far-cry from his days as a teenager singing covers on YouTube, Sam V has become a staple of the current generation of New Zealand music amassing an array of accolades including Back-to-Back Best R&B-Soul Artist awards at the Pacific Music Awards in 2022 and 2023. 
Renowned for crafty, poetic songwriting, soulful laced vocals and awe-inspiring stage presence, Sam V has become a mainstay of R&B.
In 2023 Sam V achieved his first major International Festival (Promiseland) as well as spending time abroad crafting his second L.P "You Left Your Things Here" with notable production credits from the likes of Kasey Phillips (Chris Brown, Ciara), Astro (Chris Brown, Zae France), EDY (Kennyon Brown) & Khalil (SPRNGBRK).
A noted singer, songwriter and performer, Sam V’s captivating vocal execution and musicality continues to distinguish himself as a trailblazer and pioneer of Pacific R&B in the national and global landscapes. 
 
 
Nominated for:
NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST
PACIFICAST BEST PACIFIC SOUL/RnB ARTIST
RECORDED MUSIC NZ TE PUKAEMI TOA O TE MOANA NUI A KIWA BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
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