 Media release 29 August 2024 An evening of celebration at the 2024 Pacific Music Awards Pacific musicians recognised at 20th anniversary celebration of the Pacific Music Awards This evening, the 2024 Pacific Music Awards marked a significant milestone with its 20th anniversary celebration at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. The night was a tribute to two decades of Pacific music, bringing together the community to honour the exceptional talent and creativity that has flourished within the Pacific community in Aotearoa. Aaradhna was a standout at the event, winning both the Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video awards for her soulful track ‘She’, directed by Anahera Parata. The song also secured the APRA Best Pacific Song Award, further cementing Aaradhna’s place as a leading voice in Pacific music. Diggy Dupé was another notable artist who took home two awards: NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and Matai Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, both for his work on ‘We The City’. Another stand out was Shepherds Reign who took away two awards with the SunPix Best Pacific Language award and Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui A Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album for their powerful album Ala Mai, showing their commitment to promoting Pacific language and culture through music. The FLAVA Best Pacific Group award was claimed by SWIDT for their hit tracks such as ‘Youphoria feat. High Hoops’, ‘Burn One feat. Stallyano’, ‘Hocus Pocus,’ and ‘Not 4 Sale’. Signature Choir was awarded with the 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist award for their album Mana Moana. Meanwhile, Sam V took home the Pacificast Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist award, for the third consecutive time, for You Left Your Things Here (LP), highlighting his exceptional talent and soulful melodies. Unity Pacific’s song ‘Integrity’ earned them Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist while Josh Tatofi was recognised internationally for his talent which won him Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist for a series of hit songs including ‘Ouana,’ ‘Why Worry,’ and ‘Storms Never Last’. Haz Beats has cemented his role as a sought-after producer, receiving the MPG/SAE Best Producer award for his exceptional work on the Brunette EP by Haz & Miloux and ‘Run It Back’ by Home Brew. Other notable winners include Shane Walker, who won the SunPix People’s Choice Award - Best Pacific Artist, and Jordan Gavet, whose song ‘He Said’ earned the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award. Similarly to last year, Savage alongside Aaradhna, took home the NZ On Air Streaming Award for their widely popular track ‘They Don’t Know.’ The Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist was awarded to MITI, while Noa Records received the Creative New Zealand Award for their innovative contributions to the Pacific music scene. Aaron Strickland, known as Astro, received the Arch Angel Independent Music Award. Finally, Teremoana Rapley, a trailblazing figure in Pacific music, was celebrated with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to the industry and her enduring legacy. Continuing her music story, in honour of the award, Teremoana performed an exclusive set of new songs from her highly anticipated debut trilogy album Daughter of a Housegirl, Cleaning House and Daily Incantations. The 20th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards was an exceptional night where Pacific Music was greatly celebrated and honoured. Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says “Pacific Music Awards celebrates twenty years of Tautua serving our Pacific nations' musicians, but we want to honour our musicians their families our communities our nations. For we have not forgotten who we are and where we come from mindful of the connections from our rich past and bonds of Alofa Aroha to the next Tupulaga next generation. Fa’afetai lava to the people who believed in us, supporters, and especially the amazing Sponsors Fa’amanuiaga Manaakitanga blessings.” “Today’s Pasifika Musicians are role models in business entrepreneurs and in schools, contributing musically to cultural and identity issues to education praxis, empowering and healing in the area of Mental Health and well-being of our people, in turn, all people, contributing to the Spiritual Faith traditions of the Churches to Cultural development, numerous community events, often multimedia artist in other art forms, mentoring workshops to career pathways, creating and linking scholarships to tertiary studies, being advocates champions leaders for our people or just being an artist becoming aware. Atua Ariki Otua God has blessed our Pacific Music Awards for twenty years our humble reflections Ata. “ Alongside the beautiful trophy, the 2024 winners received an exclusive 20th PMA anniversary timepiece, thanks to the support from Matai. The Trust collaborated with the Matai creative team to create the watch to honour the 20th anniversary and the legacy of the Pacific Music Awards. At the event, two new original songs were performed live for the first time. One was the prototype waiata for the Vaka Songs project, which is the legacy project for the 20th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards, that will be developed and delivered over the next 10 months. Performed in Te Reo Maori and Samoan, the artists involved were Fonoti Pati Umaga, Maisey Rika, Tha Feelstyle, Tipene, Kenzie from Welly and Mo Etc, and the waiata was produced by Tenei (10A) Kesha. The Trust also announced two new original waiata created. The final performance of the night, was the new original song created to honour the 20th year, produced by Kings, written and performed by past PMA winners: Nainz Tupai (Adeaze), Dave Atai (Nesian Mystik), Tree, Swiss, Siavani, Bella Kalolo, Sam V, Pati AF, Lepani, Olivia Foa’i, Jarna, Emily Muli and Marley Sola – collectively known as the PMA Allstars - and the Auckland Secondary Schools Pacific Choir. The song ‘Our Way Home’ will be officially released soon, with proceeds going to the Tautua Programme that the Trust delivers to support Pacific artists. Also, tomorrow night’s concert Josh Tatofi will continue the celebration of the 20th year, which has been supported by the Pacific Music Awards Trust. This begins the New Zealand part of his South Pacific Tour and coincides with his attendance and performance at the Pacific Music Awards A full list of winners can be seen below. Photos from the evening will be available here. 2024 Pacific Music Awards Winners: Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist
Issued for the Pacific Music Awards by Pead 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. Contact Alice Grigg | 021 299 5665 | [email protected]
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 Media release
19 August 2024 Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement awarded to Teremoana Rapley The Pacific Music Awards is thrilled to announce this year's Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Teremoana Rapley. Originally from Upper Hutt, Teremoana Rapley is an Auckland-based singer and songwriter whose music fuses reggae and rap – a trailblazing artist whose extraordinary contributions to Pacific music and culture in New Zealand have left an indelible mark on the industry. Of Kiribati, Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Mangaia and Jamaican heritage, Teremoana Rapley - also known as Tere Veronica Rapley MNZM - has been a powerful force in the New Zealand music scene for over three decades. Known for her self-identification as a Black Moana Sovereign Storyteller, Teremoana’s influence spans multiple roles as a Hip Hop artist, musician, television presenter, and producer. Her dynamic career has included significant contributions to iconic groups like Upper Hutt Posse and Moana and the Moahunters during the 1990s, where she was celebrated for her impactful rhymes and vocals. In 1987, at the age of 14, Teremoana joined Upper Hutt Posse, becoming the only local-born female rapper in Aotearoa at the time. The group's music, which fuses reggae and rap, significantly shaped her political consciousness. By age 15, she was one of our foremost female rappers. Later, she joined Moana and the Moahunters, with whom she won her first NZ Music Award. In 1995, Teremoana embarked on a solo career, performing around the globe. Teremoana’s career extends beyond music. She has interviewed musicians for the magazine Selector and worked extensively in television, co-hosting the youth show Mai Time and directing for Māori Television. She has simultaneously spent over 25-years producing both mainstream and indigenous television content; managed international and domestic entertainment tours; set up and operated a family screen-printing business; designed and delivered social change initiatives for both local and central government and, after raising her four sons, continues a 30+ year musical journey with her highly anticipated debut trilogy album, Daughter of a Housegirl, Cleaning House, and Daily Incantations. In recognition of her services to music and television, Teremoana was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours. Her accolades further include being inducted into the Aotearoa Music Hall of Fame and receiving the Legacy Award with Upper Hutt Posse in 2018. Additionally, she has twice been honoured with the Taite Music Prize for classic albums, first with Upper Hutt Posse in 2016 and later with the Moahunters in 2019. In April 2024, she was awarded the Independent Spirit Award. Teremoana Rapley says, “As a creative I tend to not look back at what I have done. This recognition provides the opportunity to take a moment to appreciate the many people who have allowed me to be a part of their life, I am humbled and grateful.” Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says “Teremoana Rapley is a true pioneer in Pacific music and culture. A Taonga a treasure who humbly challenges, inspires and nurtures the spiritual, cultural, and political development of Pasifika people hence all people. Her music is about Alofa Aroha Aloha for our family of humanity our Ngati Human Tribe thus Tu’ufa’atasi Kotahitanga unity and peace”. “Her unwavering commitment to her art and community has made a profound impact, and we are honoured to recognise her contributions with this Lifetime Achievement Award. Her journey is a testament to the power of music and storytelling in shaping and preserving our cultural identity." This year, the Pacific Music Awards are excited to announce that the 2024 awards will feature performances by finalists: Josh Tatofi, Shepherds Reign, Olivia Foa’i, Diggy Dupé, Junior Soqeta and Unity Pacific. There will also be a live tribute for the recipient of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and special performances to honour the 20-year celebration of the awards. The Pacific Music Awards will take place at the 20th anniversary event on Thursday August 29th, at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau. Tickets for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards are available for purchase through Eventfinda. The 2024 Pacific Music Awards will be available via live stream on the night, screened by Tagata Pasifika on TP+ (tpplus.co.nz) The Tagata Pasifika highlights show will first screen on TVNZ1 at 9.30am on Saturday 7 September. For more information: https://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/ ENDS Issued for the Pacific Music Awards by Pead 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. Contact Alice Grigg | 021 299 5665 | [email protected] Media release 15 August 2024 Announcing the performers for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards Celebrating 20 years of Pacific music The 2024 Pacific Music Awards are celebrating their 20th anniversary of the annual Pacific music celebration. The excitement is building with the big night only two weeks away. Alongside this momentous milestone, this year there were the highest number of entries to date, resulting in 27 finalists across 13 award categories, matching the highest number achieved back in 2021. There are 12 first time finalists this year, which shows the depth of talent as well as the growth in the Pacific music community as we celebrate a new wave of artists coming through. The Pacific Music Awards congratulates all the 2024 finalists and look forward to celebrating them at the upcoming awards ceremony. The 2024 finalists are: A.R.T., Aaradhna, Diggy Dupé, ELENA, EMA I'U, Folau, Haz Beats, Jaro Local, Jordyn with a Why, Josh Tatofi, Junior Soqeta, Kennyon Brown, Donell Lewis, DJ Noiz, Kings, lilbubblegum, Mr Cowboy, Olivia Foa’i, Pat, Sam V, Shane Walker, Shepherds Reign, Signature Choir, Stanley T, SWIDT, Teo Glacier, Tha Movement, TONE6, Unity Pacific The Pacific Music Awards Trust are proud to announce that the 2024 awards will feature performances by finalists: Josh Tatofi, Shepherds Reign, Olivia Foa’i, Diggy Dupé, Junior Soqeta and Unity Pacific. There will also be a live performance honouring the recipient of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and special tributes to celebrate the 20th year of the awards. To listen to all the nominees, here’s the official PMA 2024 Finalist Playlist, as well as another playlist to celebrate the 20th anniversary commemorating two decades of the awards: PMA Celebrating 20 Years Playlist. The Pacific Music Awards will be celebrated at the 20th anniversary event on Thursday August 29th, at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau. Tickets for the awards are available for purchase through Eventfinda. For more information: https://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/ Issued by the Pacific Music Awards Trust  Media release
10 July 2024 Announcing the finalists for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards Celebrating 20 years of Pacific excellence with the highest number of entries ever Last night, the Pacific Music Awards finalists were announced at the Mangere Arts Centre in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, marking the 20th anniversary of the annual celebration. Alongside this momentous milestone, this year there were the highest number of entries in the awards history, resulting in 27 finalists across 13 award categories, this matches the highest number of finalists from back in 2021. This year’s finalists include Shepherds Reign who were nominated across six categories, Aaradhna is nominated for five categories and Diggy Dupé who was nominated for four award categories. Five-piece Polynesian metal group, Shepherds Reign are up for Flava Best Pacific Group, SunPix Best Pacific Language and Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui A Kiwa Best Pacific Music Album for their record Ala Mai, and Oliver Leupolu acknowledged for MPGNZ/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer) for the album. They are also up for NZ on Air Best Pacific Music Video for ‘Nafanua’ (alongside director Dave Thomson) and APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘Ua Masa’a’. Samoan-Indian singer songwriter Aaradhna is no stranger to music awards and is nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and Pacificast Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist. For her song ‘She’, Aaradhna was also nominated for APRA Best Pacific Song, MPGNZ/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer, and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video (alongside director Anahera Parata. Hip hop artist Diggy Dupé is nominated for four award categories at this year’s awards, including NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Matai Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video (alongside director Tom Grut) and APRA Best Pacific Song, for ‘We The City’. Onehunga rap crew SWIDT are up for three awards this year, including Flava Best Group, Matai Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘YOUPHORIA feat. HIGH HOOPS’. Tokelauan singer Olivia Foa’i has received three award nominations for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, as well as SunPix Best Pacific Language and Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui A Kiwa Best Pacific Music Album for her record Tūmau Pea. There are 12 first time finalists this year, which shows the depth of talent as well as the growth in the Pacific music community as we celebrate a new wave of artists coming through. Other finalists include Sam V (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Pacificast Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist and Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa Best Pacific Music Album), Kings (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, MPGNZ/SAE Creative Media institute Best Producer and Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa Best Pacific Music Album), Signature Choir (SunPix Best Pacific Language, 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist and Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa Best Pacific Music Album), Jordyn with a Why (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist), Elena (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and Pacificast Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist), Teo Glacier (APRA Best Pacific Song) and Haz Beats (MPGNZ/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer), A.R.T (Flava Best Pacific Group and APRA Best Pacific Song), Tha Movement (Matai Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video), EMA I'U (NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video), Pat (NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video, Tone6 (531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist), Junior Soqeta (531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist), Stanley T (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), Folau (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), Unity Pacific, (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), lilbubblegum (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist), Shane Walker (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), Jaro Local (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist), Josh Tatofi (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist), Kennyon Brown, Donell Lewis, DJ Noiz (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist), Mr Cowboy (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist). With the support of Matai, a unique timepiece will be gifted to all the 2024 award winners. This was created to honour the 20th anniversary and the legacy of the Pacific Music Awards. Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev Mua Strickson-Pua said: “Pacific Music navigates 20 years. Pacific Music Awards Faka'apa'apa and Fakamanatu Tongan language meaning honour and celebrate, Fa'amamalu and Fa'amamanatu Samoan language meaning honour and celebrate, Whakamanawa and Hakaritia in Te Reo Māori means honouring and celebrating 20 years of Pacific Music Awards that honours Pasifika families, communities and nations acknowledging our Musika contributions locally to globally internationally from humble small Pacific nations but from the largest Ocean in the world. Atua, Tupuaga, and Tupuna have blessed our Pasifika musical navigation of Excellence and love for our people, our nations, and Atua. Faka'apa'apa Fakamanatu Tonga, Fa'amamalu Fa'amanatu Samoa and Whakamanawa, Hakaritia Te Reo Maori to honour and celebrate.” Trustee and Event Producer, Petrina Togi-Sa’ena says: “Our Trust is so proud to be celebrating 20 years of the Pacific Music Awards. It has been a journey over the last two decades and reaching the 20th anniversary signals the importance and growth of the Pacific music community. To honour the 20th year, through our Tautua Programme we will host events to celebrate and connect with communities around Aotearoa. The Trust has also begun work on a signature legacy project, supporting new original songs in Pacific languages. We are grateful to all the artists, families and communities that have shared the journey and have celebrated with us each year.” The SunPix People’s Choice Award is open for public voting, and all artists nominated for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards are eligible. The winner will be decided entirely by public vote, which can be cast through the voting poll on the PMA website. Voting is now open and will close on Friday 9 August. To listen to all the nominees, here’s the official PMA 2024 Finalist Playlist, as well as another playlist to celebrate the 20th anniversary commemorating two decades of PMA winners over the last 20 years PMA Celebrating 20 Years Playlist. This year’s Pacific Music Award winners will be celebrated at the 20th anniversary event on Thursday August 29th, at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau. Tickets for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards are available for purchase through Eventfinda. 2024 Pacific Music Awards finalists: Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist
ENDS Issued for the Pacific Music Awards by Pead 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. Contact Alice Grigg | 021 299 5665 | [email protected] |
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