Last Thursday the Pacific Music Awards announced the finalists for 2021 at an event at The Alexander Café, Otara, Auckland.
This year the Pacific Music Awards have a record 27 finalists across the 13 award categories, with soul sensation Tree leading the nominations.
After the release of her self-produced debut album Mrs Tree, she has been nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, SunPix Best Pacific Language, NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for ‘Afio Ane Loa’, and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album.
She recently headlined the main stage at the Return of the Auckland Pasifika Festival and is currently touring in Australia, with plans for Aotearoa, the United States and Hawai’i in the future.
Tāmaki Makaurau-based Lou’ana has been serving up soul funk to listeners with her seven piece band, releasing her debut album Moonlight Madness and undertaking a winter tour of Aotearoa.
No stranger to the Pacific Music Awards, this year she’s nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album.
Hip hop heavyweight Kings is back at the Pacific Music Awards in 2021. After a string of successful releases in years past, the independent producer and rapper is back with his latest single ‘Help Me Out’, which recently went gold.
He’s nominated for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video and APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘Help Me Out’.
Last year, singer/songwriter Lepani was nominated for Best Soul/R&B Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards after the release of his debut EP In The Moment.
This year, he’s up for three awards at the Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, Best Producer and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album.
Once again Base FM & Island Base are back to present Best Pacific Hip Hop with Church & AP returning for the third year running. After winning four Pacific Music Awards (Best Group, Best Hip Hop Artist, Radio Airplay, and Best Producer) and Best Hip-Hop Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards for their debut album Teeth last year.
Also Melodownz is back after being nominated last year, plus he is nominated for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, and finally Diggy Dupé receives his first nomination in the Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist category.
Other finalists include:
– DJ Noiz (Niu FM Best International Pacifc Artist)
– Emily Muli (Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist)
– Erakah (531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist)
– Hawkins (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist)
– J Boog (Niu FM Best International Pacifc Artist)
– Jawsh 685 (Best Producer, APRA Best Pacific Song)
– Jordan Gavet (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist)
– Lomez Brown (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist)
– Loopy Tunes Preschool Music (SunPix Best Pacific Language)
– Marley Sola (531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist)
– Mr Cowboy (Niu FM Best International Pacifc Artist)
– Raggadat Cris (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist)
– Samson Squad (SunPix Best Pacific Language)
– Shepherds Reign (Flava Best Pacific Group, SunPix Best Pacific Language)
– STNDRD (Flava Best Pacific Group)
– Team Dynamite (Flava Best Pacific Group, APRA Best Pacific Song)
– Tenelle (Niu FM Best International Pacifc Artist)
– TY (531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist)
– Vallé (NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video)
– Victor J Sefo (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist)
The ceremony for the 2021 Pacific Music Awards will commence on Wednesday 1 September 2021, save the date!
