Pacific Music Awards 2018 Finalists Announced
Written by Admin on April 16, 2018
The finalists have been announced for the 2018 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards, and Berlin-based neo-soul singer Noah Slee is leading with four nominations.
New Zealand-born, Berlin-based neo-soul singer Noah Slee leads the 25 finalists who are set to be honoured at the Pacific Music Awards ceremony on 24 May at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland.
Noah is up for four awards off the back of his debut album Otherland including Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Urban Artist, NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video (along with Si Jay Gould) for his single ‘Radar’, and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album – which is an official Tui.
Onehunga hip hop crew SWIDT tore up the stage last year at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards with a high energy performance of their hit ‘312’.
The group return this year, with finalist nods for both Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Urban Artist and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album for their debut album Stoneyhunga.
Another hip hop artist garnering attention at the moment is Kings, who is a finalist for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and SIT/MAINZ Best Producer for his self-produced debut album Chapter One.
Released in November 2017, Chapter One followed the smash success of Kings’ breakthrough single ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout It’, which broke the Official New Zealand Singles Chart record with 32 weeks at #1. He also won several awards at the 2017 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards including NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award and Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist Award.
The seven-piece ‘sunshine reggae’ collective Tomorrow People are finalists in three categories (Sunpix Best Pacific Language, APRA Best Pacific Song, Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Group) after a huge year in 2017 that saw them nominated for Best Roots Artist at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
With a diverse sound and multiple lead vocalists, the Wellington-based band endeavour to take their listeners on a journey of musical entertainment.
EFKS Te Atatu Junior Youth is the 45-member Youth Choir from the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (EFKS) in Te Atatu, Auckland.
After releasing their debut album Fa’afetai le Atua in 2017, the group are finalists for the Sunpix Best Pacific Language, Auckland Council Best Pacific Gospel Artist, and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album categories.
Other finalists include General Fiyah (NZ On Air Best Music Video, APRA Best Pacific Song, NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist), Sol3 Mio (Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Group, Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album), Ladi 6 (Virgin Australia Best Pacific Female Artist, Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album) and Te Vaka (Sunpix Best Pacific Language, APRA Best Pacific Song).
Vodafone Pacific Music Awards 2018 will be held on Thursday, 24th May at Vodafone Events Centre
Vodafone Pacific Music Awards finalists
Virgin Australia Best Pacific Female Artist Award:
La Coco – Love & Other Things Part II
Ladi 6 – Royal Blue 3000 EP
Razé – 4Seasons
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist Award:
General Fiyah – ‘Here To Stay’
Kings – Chapter One
Noah Slee – Otherland
Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Urban Artist Award:
9-5ers – Close To Home
Noah Slee – Otherland
SWIDT – Stoneyhunga
Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Group Award:
Sol3 Mio – A Very Merry Christmas
Three Houses Down – ‘Smile’
Tomorrow People – ‘Lock Me Up’
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video Award:
Samson Rambo – ‘Here To Stay’ (General Fiyah)
Noah Slee & Si Jay Gould – ‘Radar’ (Noah Slee)
Olivia Foa’i – ‘Lakalaka’ (Te Vaka)
APRA Best Pacific Song Award:
General Fiyah – ‘Here To Stay’ (Written by : Charlie Pome’e & Nicholas Pome’e)
Tomorrow People – ‘Sa’ili Le Alofa’ (Written by Kenape Saupese, Naomi Alatipi, Honiara Salanoa, Helen Tupai, Avina Kelekolio, Daniel Sugrue, Tana Tupai)
Te Vaka – ‘Lakalaka’ (Written by Opetaia Foa’i/Matatia Foa’i)
SunPix Best Pacific Language Award:
EFKS Te Atatu Junior Youth – Fa’afetai Le Atua
Te Vaka – ‘Lakalaka’
Tomorrow People – ‘Sa’ili Le Alofa’
Auckland Council Best Pacific Gospel Artist Award:
TJ Taotua – ‘Special Place’
EFKS Te Atatu Junior Youth – Fa’afetai Le Atua
Niue Youth Network – NYN Niue Gospel Album
Flava Best International Pacific Artist Award:
Junior Maile – ‘When I’m Gone’/’Golden Touch’
Tenelle – For the Lovers
Sam Kiles – ‘Delay’
Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album Award:
EFKS Te Atatu Junior Youth – Fa’afetai Le Atua
Ladi 6 – Royal Blue 3000 EP
Noah Slee – Otherland
Sol3 Mio – A Very Merry Christmas
SWIDT – Stoneyhunga
SIT/MAINZ Best Producer Award:
Anonymouz – The Undisciplined Son EP (Tha Movement)
Kings – Chapter One (Kings)
Parks, Brandan Haru & Julien Dyne – Royal Blue 3000 EP (Ladi 6)
Grab tickets for the 14th Vodafone Pacific Music Awards ceremony over on www.eventfinda.co.nz