Big names win in Pacific music's biggest night

The platinum-selling operatic trio Sol3 Mio and hip hop artist David Dallas were the big winners at tonight’s 10th annual Vodafone Pacific Music Awards
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​David Dallas’ star continues to soar, as he took home three top awards from his third album Falling Into Place. The Samoan/Kiwi rapper, whose fan base includes Eminem and Kanye West, received some of the night’s top honours including the NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist, and his platinum single Runnin’ snapped up the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award.

Samoan opera trio Sol3 Mio, comprising brothers Pene and Amitai Pati and their cousin Moses Mackay, won the coveted Radio 531PI Best Pacific Group award and the Auckland Council Best Pacific Music Album for their five times platinum self-titled debut album, which is now in its 23rd week on the New Zealand charts.

​Samoan soul/RnB and disco diva Bella Kalolo received the distinguished Trillian Trust Best Pacific Female Artist award for her EP Time and Space. It’s been a huge year for Kalolo who toured the US with Aaradhna and also shared the stage with the legend, Chaka Kahn.

Che Ness (aka. Che Fu) is one of New Zealand’s greatest artists. Originally part of the 90s group Super Groove, Che successfully moved on as a solo artist with the No.1 hit single Chains and created an Aotearoa Hip Hop classic with his debut album 2 B.S.Pacific. Four albums later, his Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award was well deserved.

Mark Vanilau picked up the British Council Aspiring International Artist for 2014 and The APRA Best Pacific Song for Giant of the Sea, while Hip Hop high chief King Kapisi teamed up with All Black enforcer Jerome Kaino for the hit rap single Crush, which won the NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video award.

​Emerging Pacific artists Musical Island Boys took home the Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Artist.

This year’s inaugural Flava Best International Pacific Artist award went to Hawaiian artist Fiji for Born & Raised II – The Rebirth. Fiji, whose music represents a fusion of classic reggae with hip-hop, RnB and jazz. Fiji is a household name here and around the world and the award is in recognition for his outstanding contribution to Pacific music.

The Tagata Pasifika Best Pacific Language recording award went to Penina Lalelei o Samoa by husband and wife duo Kelemete & Kingi Ta’ale. Best Pacific Gospel Artist winner Lifestyle comprises singers from five different churches who were rewarded for Lifestyle of Worship and they also took home the coveted Vodafone People’s Choice Award.

Vodafone Pacific Music Awards Trust chairperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says the awards showcase of the vast musical talent of New Zealand’s Pacific artists.
“Pacific musicians have been at the forefront of this musical wave for years. From Bill Wolfgramm, Bill Sevesi and his Islanders to the Yandall Sisters, Annie Crummer, Tigilau Ness to Herbs, OMC, King Kapisi, Che Fu, UPR and Dawn Raid, to the next wave with Kas Futialo, Nesian Mystik, Scribe, Smash Proof, Aaradhna. Then with today’s stars like Sole Mio, David Dallas and Ladi 6 leading the way, we continue to be blessed with Pacific excellence. The 10th Anniversary is a milestone for those gone before and those yet to come, honouring a proud Pacific musical tradition.
“Pacific Music continues to be the life sound track of our people and our nation, honouring the fiafia [celebration] that brings our Pacific music industry, our pacific nation communities and mainstream music industry together.”

The Vodafone Pacific Music Awards and performance showcase was held tonight at the Vodafone Events Centre’s Sir Woolf Fisher Arena.

*click for  2014 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards finalists and winners by category