Mt Vaea Band takes Tui at Pacific Music Awards

Mt Vaea Band takes Tui at Pacific Music Awards

With two awards each, Mt Vaea Band and Dei Hamo are the multiple winners in the Pacific Music Awards 2006 in Association with Manukau City Council, announced last night at the TelstraClear Pacific.

Other winners are Annie Puletiuatoa, Savage and Bill Sevesi who receives a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Pacific Music.

Mt Vaea Band receives The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand Tui in the Niu FM Best Pacific Music Album category for ‘Mama’. The group also wins the Radio 531PI Best Pacific Group award.

Dei Hamo’s accolades come for ‘First Edition’ in the NIU FM Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and the NZ Music Industry Commission Best Pacific Male Artist categories.

Annie Puletiuatoa takes out the Corona Best Pacific Female Artist award for ‘Childhood’ while Savage’s ‘Swing’ earns him and fellow writers Nathan Holmes and Aaron Ngawhika the APRA Best Pacific Song award.

The winner of a new award this year, the Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist was also announced as Richard Recalde – a solo artist from South Auckland.

Pacific Music Awards spokesperson the Rev Mua Strickson Pua says the global music scene awaits the musical Pacific waves of success.

“2006 marks the growing confidence of the Pacific Music Awards as part of NZ Music Month and acknowledges the contribution and esteem of Pasifikan musicians.

“It’s a win-win situation that sends a clear message locally, nationally and internationally that the Aotearoa New Zealand music industry truly celebrates its diversity and musical excellence and is ready to take on the global scene.”

The Rev Strickson Pua says the range of Awards and recipients clearly highlights the diversity within the Pasifikan music scene as well as the cultural understanding of connection and development.

“From Bill Sevesi through Dei Hamo, Savage and Mt Vaea Band to Annie Puletiuatoa – from traditional Pacific language to the urban Hip Hop – there’s a richness that highlights the cutting edge developments and a preview to the global success awaiting New Zealand’s unique music.”

He says the Pacific Music Award Committee expresses thanks to the artists, producers, record companies, media, industry agencies, council and Government. “But especially we honour our families, communities, and Pacific nations. The 2007 Pacific Music Awards promises even more.”

RIANZ is excited Mt Vaea Band has won local acknowledgment with the coveted Tui for the Best Pacific Music Album says President Adam Holt.

“Mama is a remarkable album from a legendary Pacific Island group that has won awards overseas. So I’m thrilled Mt Vaea Band has now been given the recognition they deserve here in New Zealand. They are worthy winners and add so much to the rich history of the Pacific Tui.

“We also congratulate all the winners of the 2006 Pacific Music Awards and are honoured the Tui is part of this great event.”

The full list of winners and finalists for the 2006 Pacific Music Awards is:

RADIO 531PI BEST PACIFIC GROUP

Winner: Mt Vaea Band - ‘Mama’

Finalists: Beatrootz - ‘No DJz’
Cydel - ‘Luv Iz’

CORONA BEST PACIFIC FEMALE ARTIST

Winner: Annie Puletiuatoa - ‘Childhood’

Finalists: Rosita Vai - ‘Golden’
Sara-Jane Auva’a -‘Rejoice’

NIU FM BEST PACIFIC HIP HOP ARTIST

Winner: Dei Hamo - ‘First Edition’

Finalists: King Kapisi - ‘Dominant Species’
Savage - ‘Moonshine’

NZ MUSIC INDUSTRY COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST

Winner: Dei Hamo - ‘First Edition’

Finalists: King Kapisi - ‘Dominant Species’
Savage - ‘Moonshine’

APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG

Winner: Savage - ‘Swing’ (written by Demetrius Savelio (Savage), Nathan Holmes and Aaron Ngawhika)

Finalists: Beatrootz -‘No DJz’ (written by; Saipele Nili and David Letoa)
Cydel - ‘Luv Iz’ (written by; Jonathan Tupai, Avina Kekekolio, Christopher Collins, Damien Ekenasio, Radley Uili)

NIU FM BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM (RIANZ TUI AWARD)

Winner: Mt Vaea Band - ‘Mama’

Finalists: JXN & LavaBoyKila - ‘First off the Blane’
Annie Puletiuatoa - ‘Childhood’

PHILLIP FUEMANA MOST PROMISING ARTIST

Winner: Richard Recalde

(There were no finalists in this category.)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner: Bill Sevesi

(There were no finalists in this category.)

ends

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