Scribe needs no introduction, a true legend of NZ/OZ music industry, who transcended beyond the realms of Hip Hop into mainstream pop culture, breaking records and making history. In recent years Scribe has had great success away from music in Theatre touring his award winning family play 'The White Guitar' written by Scribe alongside his Father and Brother. He also produced his documentary 'Return Of The Crusader' in 2022 documenting his battles with addiction, trauma as he writes and records his final album 'Scribe Is Dead' which he released in 2025 to critical acclaim.
 
Nominated for: ​Scribe is Dead
Finalist for:
ONErpm BEST PACIFIC HIP HOP ARTIST
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG
NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST
RECORDED MUSIC NZ TE TINO PUKAEMI MOANA NUI A KIWA O TE TAU | BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
​

The award winning Sam V has become one of the most watched multi-hyphenate talents to emerge from the Pacific.
Raised in Auckland City, Sam V's early exploits on YouTube saw him signed at the age of 11 and releasing original material by the age of 14.
A decorated singer, songwriter & producer, Sam V has been recognised by the likes of Brandy, Ty Dolla $ign, Kehlani and Charlie Puth.
2025 marked further milestones for Sam V, including his first international tour and his Take A Chance On V project release.
 
Nominated for: Take A Chance On V: Deluxe, ‘Small Taste’, ‘Pay No Mind’​
Finalist for:
MPG AOTEAROA/SAE CREATIVE MEDIA INSTITUTE BEST PRODUCER
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG
BEST PACIFIC SOUL/RnB ARTIST
NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST
RECORDED MUSIC NZ TE TINO PUKAEMI MOANA NUI A KIWA O TE TAU | BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
​

RNZŌ is a rising rapper and recording artist from New Zealand, known for raw lyricism, melodic versatility, and an unmistakable presence. Blending hard-hitting bars with emotional storytelling, his music reflects lived experience, authenticity, and ambition.
 
Proudly Samoan and Māori, RNZŌ’s heritage is central to his identity and artistry. His cultural roots shape his music through themes of resilience, community, and self-expression, representing a new generation of Pacific and Māori artists forging their own path.
 
Balancing vulnerability with confidence, RNZŌ moves effortlessly between introspective records and high-energy anthems. With growing momentum through live performances, streaming success, and an expanding fanbase, he is quickly establishing himself as one of New Zealand’s exciting emerging voices in hip-hop.
 
Throughout his journey, RNZŌ has faced many ups and downs, all while coming back to one singular question: Is it still his szn, or not?
 
Nominated for:  RNZŌ SZN
Finalist for:
NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST
​

The group was formed in the Samoan village Vailele in 1968 by former school teacher Rev. Iosefa Lale Peteru (Lale), and has been creating music for more than 50 years.  

​Punialava’a is a band that needs no introduction. The iconic Samoan group has been offering smooth island sounds and poetry through song and music since the late 1960s, when founder and composer Rev Lale Peteru established the family band. These days, a new generation of the aiga behind Punialava’a is continuing the legacy; performing new songs and material written by their father. After the heartbreak of the 2019 measles epidemic in Samoa - which saw the majority of cases and deaths being young children - and the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, the band released its heartfelt album last year, expressing the pain and tears of a nation: Tagi Le Atunu’u. The lead single in the album was dubbed Suga! La’u Penina, produced by Mase Josh Mase and band member and son Nanai Viellani Lale Peteru. Wanting something different for this particular song, the end result is a roots reggae sound that is reflective of where it was mixed and mastered - Jamaica.
 
Punialava’a continues to record new music, with a number of singles released in 2025.  As a family, they continue their music legacy.

 
Nominated for:  ‘Sauaga i Aiga’, ‘Samoa Ua Potopoto’, ‘Aiga Sa Petaia’, ‘Lo'u Alofa Afulumemea’, ‘Manatua le Mananoa’, ‘Le Lalolagi Fa'atalitali’
Finalist for:
531pi BEST PACIFIC GOSPEL ARTIST
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Myshaan, is a 23-year-old independent soul artist from Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. With over 117 collective weeks in the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Singles chart across three singles, Myshaan knows what it takes to make a great track and hold on to his listeners. Myshaan broke through internationally with his 2023 single ‘Sway’, which carried a strong Pacific flavour and quickly caught the attention of audiences across Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and beyond.
 
The momentum grew in 2024 with ‘Carry My Heart’, which went viral on TikTok and sparked local versions across the Islands, first in Fiji, then other Polynesian communities. Later in 2024, Myshaan studied abroad in Hawai‘i, where he immersed himself in Pacific Soul and built on the foundation he had already created. Hawai‘i deepened his connection to the Pacific, giving him a clearer vision of how far his music could travel and how much it resonated with people who saw themselves in his songs. Music has been in Myshaan’s life from the beginning. Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was always encouraged to sing, often asked to perform at services, and taught guitar by his mum, who never told him to quiet down.
 
Without many opportunities or mentors around him, Myshaan carved his own lane. That’s now part of what drives him to create pathways for others, especially Māori youth, to see music as a real and achievable career. Influenced by artists like Josh Tatofi, Maoli, Kolohe Kai, Teeks and Giveon, Myshaan blends soul with heartfelt storytelling. As a Christian, he doesn’t write worship music, but his songs are made to uplift and leave listeners with something wholesome. At the heart of it all, he wants to be seen as a staple artist for the Pacifica wayfinder who carries culture with him, wherever the music goes.
 
Myshaan has topped the RadioScope Te Reo Māori Airplay Chart ending 2025, with his reo Māori version of ‘Missed Your Chance’. Across his career so far, he was nominated for PMA Best Male Artist in 2025, and 10 of his tracks have featured on the Hot Aotearoa Singles chart, a reflection of his growing fan base across the motu. Myshaan looks to ride this momentum as he surges into 2026, which includes the likes of his debut album 'My Love’ that was released on February 27.
 
Nominated for:  ‘Missed Your Chance', 'Inside My Head', 'Pacific Beauty ft Kennyon Brown', 'Angel', 'Paint Them With You'
Finalist for:
BEST PACIFIC SOUL/RnB ARTIST
​

MELODOWNZ is proof that thought-provoking, lyrical rap is alive and here to stay. The Māori/Samoan artist has become a local community champion proudly taking New Zealand rap to the world stage with co-signs from Bas, Dreamville, and Flying Lotus, and collabs from the likes of Denzel Curry, Bootsy Collins, and Maxo Kream, the latter who he supported on Kream’s 2022 Australian tour.

In 2024, MELODOWNZ’s musical journey entered an exciting new chapter, blending his lyrical prowess with the dynamic energy of UK Garage. Known for his raw storytelling and authentic delivery, he’s now experimenting with melodic hooks and upbeat tempos, creating tracks that showcase his versatility and ability to evolve while staying true to his roots. This shift in sound has added a fresh dimension to his artistry, earning him new fans globally while continuing to resonate with his core audience.

MELODOWNZ has released a string of standout tracks that cement his place in this new electronic/breakbeat lane. Collaborating with both New Zealand and Australian artists, his recent releases include HIGH VIBRATION (with producer-artist Dera Meelan and rapper deadforest), MELLOW CALM & CHILL (produced by vibrant producer-artist Hyan and producer .rede), MeloDub (828) (produced by Hyan and NZ Garage legend producer Caru), and DIRECTIONS (featuring Australian- Māori artist and singer Pania). These tracks highlight his ability to bridge cultures and styles, infusing his roots with forward-thinking sounds.

Building on his reputation as a live performer, MELODOWNZ has been lighting up international stages and breaking new ground in his experimental electronic journey. He performed and MC’d at the first-ever Boiler Room Aotearoa, a historic event that celebrated the best of New Zealand’s underground music scene. Additionally, he curated and headlined The Link Up, a massive New Zealand show that brought together local legend rappers like Tom Scott, Diggy Dupé, Jujulipps, Manu, Polly Hill, and iconic DJs such as Halfqueen, Hyan, Caru, Poppa Jax, and Mikeyy.

Much more than just a rapper, MELODOWNZ is building his own independent empire with community at the heart of every endeavour. In 2020, he started an online talk show series called Kava Corner, where he shares space, chats, and drinks traditional Polynesian kava with special guests including John Campbell, Chloe Swarbrick, Scribe, and BENEE; in addition to releasing his own strain of kava, ‘Stay Melo, Drink Kava’, Ingraining his Polynesian roots into all aspects of his art, he has also hand-drawn his own clothing line collection, including traditional lavalava, and shared a short film-style documentary series, WOLVES OF AVONDALE, profiling significant community figures of his hometown in collaboration with renowned local photographer Tim D.

Whether through his music, community projects, or creative ventures, MELODOWNZ’s impact as a hometown hero and cultural trailblazer is undeniable. With an ever-expanding global reach and an eye toward innovation, he’s cementing his place as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary rap.
 
 
Nominated for:  Melo &  Bass (EP), Same As Before, Kavafied Ft Revus
Finalist for:
NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST
ONErpm BEST PACIFIC HIP HOP ARTIST
​

"Sometimes a voice can just stop you in your tracks. This is the effect Samoan/NZ singer and musician Lou’ana had on us.” Sose Fuamoli, ABC Radio Australia
 
LOU’ANA is an award-winning Aotearoa-born Pacific nu-disco soul artist with foundations in jazz, whose songwriting and creative vision blend groove, melody and lyricism with themes of ritual, movement, embodied expression and storytelling.
 
Her latest album Disco Witch (2025) marked a bold new chapter, debuting in the NZ Top Albums Chart and earning international recognition, with multiple singles featured by Rolling Stone AU/NZ. The project expands her exploration of music as a toolor embodiment, weaving nostalgic disco textures with themes of introspection, liberation and the divine feminine. Music from the album has been performed live on the Radio New Zealand Jesse Mulligan show, and featured to a live audience of over 100,000 at the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park (2025).
 
Lou’ana has received multiple NZ On Air funding grants, including project funding for Disco Witch, supporting her continued evolution as an independent artist.
 
Her debut album Moonlight Madness charted nationally and earned her Best Pacific Female Artist at the Pacific Music Awards, while her single ‘Night Creature’ reached #2 on the NZ Hot 20 Singles Chart. With over 2 million Spotify streams and two full-length albums released on vinyl, she has also opened for artists including Gladys Knight and Teddy Swims, further cementing her reputation as one of Aotearoa’s compelling contemporary voices.
 
Nominated for:  Disco Witch
Finalist for:
MPG AOTEAROA/SAE CREATIVE MEDIA INSTITUTE BEST PRODUCER
AUCKLAND COUNCIL BEST PACIFIC FEMALE ARTIST
​

Lepani is a Fijian-born, independent artist with an alt-pop style of music, from New Zealand and currently based in Manchester, UK. His music has gathered attention from Korea, Japan and America. He’s performed at Wellington’s Jim Beam Homegrown Festival; additionally he has opened for NZ icon Stan Walker on his 2019 Springboard tour around 9 cities in New Zealand. In 2024, he featured on VT1S’s 'Lauti Au' which topped the Apple charts in Fiji, and performed alongside them in their sold out LIVE24 concert in Suva, Fiji. Currently branching out and refining his sound as an independent artist, he continues to dive into the mental and emotional struggles of life in the music industry, his faith, and his personal relationships.
 
Nominated for:  ‘Young Gun’, ‘Feel It’, ‘Y’, ‘Never Meet Your Dreams’, ‘Young Gun (Acoustic)’
Finalist for:
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG
NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST
​

Ladi6 is one of Aotearoa’s most revered voices- a pioneer of soulful, beat-driven music blending hip hop, wavey rhythms, and modular electronic soundscapes. Renowned for her authentic storytelling and magnetic stage presence, Ladi6 has carved a path that honours her Pacific identity and the stories that shaped her while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.
 
Across two decades, she has become synonymous with artistic resilience, honouring her Pacific identity and emotional depth. Her award-winning albums, international recognition, and iconic anthems have inspired not just fans, but a movement of authenticity and self-leadership.
 
Nominated for:  Le Vā
Finalist for:
MPG AOTEAROA/SAE CREATIVE MEDIA INSTITUTE BEST PRODUCER
BEST PACIFIC SOUL/RnB ARTIST
AUCKLAND COUNCIL BEST PACIFIC FEMALE ARTIST
RECORDED MUSIC NZ TE TINO PUKAEMI MOANA NUI A KIWA O TE TAU | BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
​

Kenzie From Welly is a natural storyteller, who weaves together her love for the arts, community, and a deep commitment to her journey of ancestral reconnection. Her sharp-witted rap lyrics reflect lived experiences — blending raw emotion, bold truths, and elegance — while her performances surge with energy and intention. Like her name proudly states, Kenzie was born in Pōneke (Wellington), she carries the rhythms of her whakapapa into every verse, blending 90s-inspired hip‑hop with generational wisdom to craft songs that are both vulnerable and defiant. Kenzie thrives in the space found somewhere between tradition and not conforming to society's expectations; from her unique style of fashion, to her unwavering sense of kotahitanga and, of course, her writing and performance.
 
Nominated for: Greenstone Door
Finalist for:
ONErpm BEST PACIFIC HIP HOP ARTIST
AUCKLAND COUNCIL BEST PACIFIC FEMALE ARTIST
​