Transcript
Hundreds more have been paying their tributes and respects on social media following a facebook post by wife Faletui Vai, that came as a shock to many. It read:
"It is with a heavy heart we would like to share the sad news of the passing of the KIng of our hearts, Ma'ilo Benjamin David Vai. He was called by our heavenly father at 955pm on the 12th February at Auckland hospital, where he took his last breath surrounded by his family and close friends." 15
Raised in Kingston, Jamaica he was also the son of Reverend Dr Peniamina Vai who had been a missionary there and the environment is likely to have inspired him musically.
His matai title Ma'ilo had been bestowed on him from his father's family at Vaiala on Upolu.
One of his good friends, Samoa based soul singer musician Leasiosiofaasisina Lole Usoalii Hickey, says the singer, composer and music producer was always mentoring, and made time for the youth.
"He was a mentor to a lot of people and my comment is to anybody who is talented with music is to use your music to inspire and that really describes Ben, he would help anyone over here."
She says he had a strong faith and the huge contribution he made to Samoa's music industry won't be forgotten.
"So he did a lot of like Pacific reggae but that song, Malu le Afiafi, that is the song that everybody knows [is] him. In Samoa he sings a lot and he's done a lot of recordings and many Samoans are very familiar with his music but I think he also resonated with the Samoans outside of Samoa."
Leasiosiofaasisina says most of his recordings and videos were done in American Samoa and Samoa and he will be greatly missed.
Our correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia says he was still singing at major music gigs and events like the Samoa Teuila festival right up until he got sick.
He says his music was unique and recognisable to many fans
"I think he has got a different style of music especially when first introduced to the music industry over here in the 1990s. He has sort of a raggamuffin style of music."
Ma'ilo Ben Vai's funeral will be held in Auckland. This is Sara Vui-Talitu.
