Aaradhna and Kings took home multiple awards at the Pacific Music Awards. Photo: Supplied
Aaradhna Jayantilal Patel, better known as Aaradhna, and Kingdon Te Itinga Chapple-Wilson, aka Kings, were the big winners in this year's Pacific Music Awards.
Both artists won multiple awards at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau tonight, where the ceremony opened by SaintzUp Performing Arts Trust, who performed a tribute to nominees Opetaia Foa'i & Te Vaka through Disney's Moana.
Aaradhna took home four awards, including Best Pacific Music Album and Best Pacific Female Artist. Kings also picked up four gongs, including Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Urban Artist.
Opetaia Foa’i, who is well-known for his song ‘We Know The Way’ from Moana, received the Special Recognition Award for outstanding achievement.
His daughter Olivia Foa’i won Best Pacific Language Song for ‘Tulou Tagaloa’, which also featured on Moana.
Three Houses Down (featuring General Fiyah) won the People’s Choice Award and Best Pacific Group, bringing three generations on stage with them to accept one of the awards. During his speech, General Fiyah thanked his grandfather for forcing him to go to piano lessons as a kid.
Other winners included Annie Grace for Auckland Council Best Pacific Gospel Artist, J Boog for Flava Best International Pacific Artist and Tommy Nee for Phillip Fuemana Award as the most promising Pacific artist.
Here is the full list of winners:
Aaradhna
- Virgin Australia Best Pacific Female Artist Award: Brown Girl
- NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video Award: ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ (Directed by Sophie Findlay)
- APRA Best Pacific Song Award: ‘Brown Girl’ (Written by Aaradhna Patel)
- Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album Award: Brown Girl
Stunning performance from Aaradhna #VPMA17 pic.twitter.com/evFiBuFD1P
— Music 101 (@radionzmusic) June 1, 2017
Kings
- NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist Award: KINGS EP
- Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist Award: KINGS EP
- MAINZ Best Producer Award: KINGS EP (Produced by Kings)
- NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award: KINGS EP
A slightly teary @Kingsmusicnz accepts his 2nd award tonight - Best Pacific Urban Artist award! #VPMA17 pic.twitter.com/xcg4j6rGsj
— Music 101 (@radionzmusic) June 1, 2017
Three Houses Down
- Radio 531pi Best Pacific Group Award: ‘Love & Affection’ (feat. General Fiyah)
- Vodafone People’s Choice Award: ‘Love & Affection’ (feat. General Fiyah)
Three Houses Down Photo: Supplied
Olivia Foa'i
- SunPix Best Pacific Language Award: ‘Tulou Tagaloa’
Congratulations Olivia Foa’i on winning the Best Pacific Language Award at the #VPMA17 pic.twitter.com/Lmd6itUPf7
— Music 101 (@radionzmusic) June 1, 2017
Annie Grace
- Best Pacific Gospel Artist Award: ‘Unchangeable Love’
Annie Grace Photo: Screen capture
J Boog
-
Flava Best International Pacific Artist Award: Rose Petals
J Boog Photo: Supplied
Tommy Nee
-
Phillip Fuemana Award – Most Promising Pacific Artist
Tommy Nee Photo: Screen capture
Opetaia Foa’i
-
Special Recognition Award – Outstanding Achievement
Opetaia Foa’i Photo: Supplied
Brother Love
-
Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award
Photo: Supplied
