Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The finalists for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards were announced on Wednesday at the Big Fan recording studio in Morningside, Auckland. The lineup consists of 24 talented musicians across 13 awards categories, including both emerging artists and established musicians.
Among the finalists, there are 10 first-time nominees and 13 previous award winners, showcasing the evolving landscape of Pacific music.
Leading the pack are MELODOWNZ, Olivia Foa’i, and Sam V, each earning nominations in four award categories.
The Pacific musicians took to social media in praise of their fellow muso’s and showed gratitude for all their supporters.
Olivia Foa’i thanked the Pacific Music Awards for her five nominations and says she looks forward to seeing everyone again at the award ceremony.
Sam V shared appreciation for his nominations and acknowledged his fellow muso, Jeremiah Fale aka Hales.
This is Hale’s first nomination for Best Pacific Music Video for his song “Just my type”, where he collaborated alongside fellow artist Canaan Ene. He says he is excited about his nomination and admits he is a little shy as a newcomer to the music industry.
“The whole thing is buzzy, I’m feeling really weird at the moment. I’m definitely not too familiar with the industry so this has been a real learning experience. It’s crack up.”
Hale adds, “with the video clip we tried not to take it too seriously, we wanted to keep it funny and chill.”
“The song itself was a commentary on modern love, and how in today modern relationships can be at times shallow and very surface levelled.”
Hale looks forward to seeing a couple of his favourite artists from the Hip hop scene like Poetik, Mareko and MELODOWNZ.
Hales also gives a shout out to Sam V for his guidance and taking him under his wing as a mentor.
Other popular Pacific singers in the mix are Lou’ana and Victor J Sefo both taking home three nominations each.
The 2023 Pacific Music Awards nominees include:
Deceptikonz: Nominated for APRA Best Pacific Song, Flava Best Pacific Group, and Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist.
Wayno: Nominated for 531pi Best Gospel Artist and SunPix Best Pacific Language.
Blsd One: Nominated for 531pi Best Gospel Artist.
Canaan Ene x Junior Soqeta: Nominated for SunPix Best Pacific Language.
Canaan Ene x Swiss: Nominated for Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist.
FAIVA: Nominated for Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist.
Hales: Nominated for NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video with director Canaan Ene.
Jordyn with a Why: Nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist.
Mareko x Ricky Paul: Nominated for MPG/SAE Best Producer.
Sweet & Irie: Nominated for Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist.
Rei & Olivia Foa’I: Nominated for SunPix Best Pacific Language as a duo, their first nomination together.
2023 Pacific Music Awards finalists:
Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist:
Jordan Gavet – ‘He Said’
Jordyn with a Why – ‘Brown Melodies’
Lou’ana – ‘Lost & Found’
Olivia Foa’i – ‘Sunlight’
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist:
Lepani – ‘Tell You Something’, ‘The Morning’
MELODOWNZ – Lone Wolf
Sam V – The one, the lonely EP, ‘Come Through’, ‘Love Again’
Victor J Sefo – ‘685’, ‘685 Remix’
Flava Best Pacific Group:
Deceptikonz – In Perpetuity
STNDRD – Jukebox, ’Otara (Misunderstood)’
Three Houses Down – ‘The Dream’
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:
Hales – ‘Just My Type’
Directed by Canaan Ene
Lou’ana – ‘Lost & Found’
Directed by Anna Rose Duckworth
MELODOWNZ – ‘Pray For More ft Lisi, Mikey Dam’
Directed by Connor Pritchard
Olivia Foa’i – ‘Sunlight’
Directed by Shae Sterling
APRA Best Pacific Song:
Deceptikonz – ‘One Time’
Written by D Savelio/ M Sagapolutele D Maoate/D Puniani/R Oliver/D Adams/V Papalii
Olivia Foa’i – ‘Sunlight’
Written by Olivia Foa’i
Sam V – ‘Come Through’
Written by Sam Verlinden, Eli Naea, Edward Liu
Victor J Sefo – ‘685’
Written by Victor J Sefo, Ventry Parker, Elijah Tovio
SunPix Best Pacific Language:
Canaan Ene x Junior Soqeta – ‘Tabamuni’
Olivia Foa’i – ‘Sunlight’
Rei & Olivia Foa’i – ‘Kokomea’
Wayno – ‘Seu lou Pologa’, ‘Siva Samoa 2K23’
Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist:
Deceptikonz – In Perpetuity
MELODOWNZ – Lone Wolf
Poetik – Hamofied Tre
Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist:
Lepani – ‘Tell You Something’, ‘The Morning’
Lou’ana – ‘Lost & Found’
Sam V – The one, the lonely EP, ‘Come Through’, ‘Love Again’
Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist:
Canaan Ene x Swiss – ‘Luv & Company’
Sweet & Irie – ‘Maximum feat. Shane Walker’, ‘My Communication to You’
Three Houses Down – ‘The Dream’
531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist:
Blsd One – Ready or Not EP
Punialava’a – Tagi Le Atunu’u Pele
Wayno – ‘Seu lou Pologa’, ‘Siva Samoa 2K23’
Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist:
FAIVA – ‘Valovalo Mai’
Jaro Local – Flowers of July EP
Josh Tatofi – ‘Prisoner of Love’, ‘Sweet Loven’, ‘Landslide’, ‘Still the One’, ‘Pua Ahih’i, ‘Good Morning Beautiful’, ‘Tomorrow’
MPG/SAE Best Producer:
Mareko x Ricky Paul – Untitled : ACT 1
Producer: Ricky Paul Musik
Sam V – ‘Come Through’, ‘Sex & Pain’, ‘Love Again’,’ I Tried To Tell U’
Producer: Edward Liu
Victor J Sefo – ‘685’ ‘685 Remix’
Producer: Victor J Sefo
Recorded Music Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa | Best Pacific Music Album:
MELODOWNZ – Lone Wolf
Poetik – Hamofied Tre
STNDRD – Jukebox
All the artist finalists:
Blsd One Ready or Not EP
Canaan Ene x Junior Soqeta ‘Tabamuni’
Canaan Ene x Swiss ‘Luv & Company’
Deceptikonz In Perpetuity
FAIVA ‘Valovalo Mai’
Hales ‘Just My Type’
Jaro Local Flowers of July EP
Jordan Gavet ‘He Said’
Jordyn with a Why ‘Brown Melodies’
Josh Tatofi ‘Prisoner of Love’, ‘Sweet Loven’, ‘Landslide’, ‘Still the One’, ‘Pua Ahih’i, ‘Good Morning Beautiful’, ‘Tomorrow’
Lepani ‘Tell You Something’, ‘The Morning’
Lou’ana ‘Lost & Found’
Mareko x Ricky Paul Untitled : ACT 1
MELODOWNZ Lone Wolf
Olivia Foa’i ‘Sunlight’
Poetik Hamofied Tre
Punialava’a Tagi Le Atunu’u Pele
Rei & Olivia Foa’i ‘Kokomea’
Sam V The one, the lonely EP, ‘Come Through’, ‘Love Again’
STNDRD Jukebox |’Otara (Misunderstood)’
Sweet & Irie ‘Maximum ft Shane Walker’, ‘My Communication to You’
Three Houses Down ‘The Dream’
Victor J Sefo ‘685’ ‘685 Remix’
Wayno ‘Seu lou Pologa’, ‘Siva Samoa 2K23’
The Pacific Music Awards will take place in August at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau.
