Soul Brown, aka Solomon Brown is from Māngere, South Auckland and a proud Samoan/Fijian.  Soul grew up surrounded by the vibrancy of the Pasifika cultures that flood Manukau. Born into a family that exposed him to eclectic genres, he has made his mark in Aotearoa’s music scene by blending Pacific flavour with Latino heat.  “It’s a passionate love letter to a loved one,” SoulBrown says of the title track - he adds that it perfectly sums up the feel-good vibe of the whole EP. Check out his new EP here 

Warning:  Explicit Lyrics  #RIP Ted 'Godfather' Devoux  Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. is an American hip hop group from Carson, California, composed of the Devoux brothers Paul, Ted, Donald, Roscoe, Danny, David and Vincent. Their family is from American Samoa. They became popular after touring in Japan in the mid 1980's, where they were initially known as the "Blue City Crew." The "Boo-Yaa" in their name signifies the sound of a shotgun being discharged, while the "T.R.I.B.E." stands for "Too Rough International Boo-Yaa Empire." According to hip-hop documentarians, Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. is "synonymous with hip hop in Los Angeles."

Gang of Youths front man Dave Le'aupepe performs his deeply personal song 'Brothers' live for Triple J's 'Like a Version'. 'Brothers' is a ballad recounting the new information Dave learned about his father since his death in 2018, following trips exploring his heritage in Samoa and Aotearoa, including learning of his two half-brothers who were left by their father in their youth. Le'aupepe wrote that “this began as a simple piano motif in a studio in Auckland … trying to, effectively, compartmentalise what I had learned about my dad’s life and my family story into one ballad. I’d thought a lot about Paul Kelly, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits and other story tellers who only needed a piano and the truth. With that truth, it felt important to let my brother’s stories be known to others and not forgotten. We are a storytelling people after all. {{29437}} “The point is, I adore my Dad. But my Dad, unfortunately, did the wrong thing by leaving his sons. He did the wrong thing by concealing our history and heritage from my sister and I. “It seems that by allowing this story to see the light, it’s bringing rest to his soul and comfort to my siblings and myself.” - In the video below Dave explains why his family's history means he puts his heart into the music made by Gang of Youths, and how music has made life more bearable. {{29435}}

“At every tunnel’s end, just know that there is light. Know that you got a friend, just know that everything will be alright.” Heartfelt words from the song Dear Brother, written and performed by Sounds of La Salle (S.O.L.S), a seven-piece, South Auckland-based band, founded by students at De La Salle College in Auckland.  The song, one of two pieces the talented band entered in a secondary high school music competition, was written to raise awareness of mental health and is now part of a campaign to support Pacific youth.  Myles Hogarty, De La Salle College Principal, says that over the last two years students have had much uncertainty and disruption in their lives.  “The message that this talented group of young men is giving, provides hope and support in a medium that students will relate to.”  “Our young men don’t have to struggle in silence, there are friends there to listen and help.” “Don’t be shy, reach out and keep in touch,” he says.  {{27161}} The young men, all of Samoan descent, wanted to spread the message ‘you are not alone’ through music, and having the song  written and performed to include in their native Samoan tongue “deepened the meaning and intention for Pacific families”.  The campaign was made possible through Mana Pasifika, a Pacific youth Initiative that is funded by the Ministry of Health and Te Hiringa Hauora, and is led by Mapu Maia in partnership with Pasifika-led creative agency Dioscuri.   Pesio Ah-Honi, National Director of Mapu Maia Pasifika Service, says so often young people are very reluctant to speak out.  "Currently Pasifika youth are facing high levels of mental distress and anxiety with the current Delta outbreak hitting  our community hard. Our youth are struggling to feel that they are represented, that their voices matter and that there is  hope,” she says.  “Music is a great way to reach young people because they identify with it.”  Dioscuri Managing Director, Jeremy Logan, says working with these young men has been an incredibly moving experience.  “They are so talented, and even though they originally started out just to compete in high school competitions they now  sing with a purpose, breaking down some of the stereotypes around young men,” he says. “They are really reaching out to  people with their music in a powerful way.” 

'See you Win' by Calvin Prichard & Say True God ?  Calvin Pritchard is a 23-year-old Samoan singer / songwriter / rapper, who has returned to Australia with a vision.  Having lived in America for 3 years, residing in New Jersey, Georgia and throughout California, Calvin experienced a number of tragedies and humbling hardships. It was through these experiences that he found himself dive deep into the depths of music’s beauty and destruction.   Calvin’s parents play a pivotal part in his discovery, passion and love for music. Putting him through piano lessons between ages 6 to 8 and handing him his first guitar at 9 years of age. Being left-handed, Calvin idolized guitarist, Jimmy Hendrix, as he thought “if he can do it, why can’t I”. Calvin continues to play a right-handed guitar upside down.   Music helped guide Calvin’s personal growth as a man during times where he felt the silence of feeling lost, alone and destructive. Music provided him a voice to articulate his feelings, turning his stories and pain into songs that would resonate within the hearts of many.   Since returning to Australia mid 2019, Calvin has created a wide, diverse catalogue of songs ranging from Pop, Hip-Hop, Acoustic and much more. His most notable skill, being his grungy vocals and range.   2021 is shaping up to be a big year, with a backlog of unreleased music, ready to hit all steaming platforms. Stay tuned!   . Say TrueGod? or TG for short, Is a Tongan / indigenous / Maori rapper from north of Brisbane. TG proudly represents all three heritages. Born and raised in Brisbane, TG with his brother shifted from house to house throughout his childhood finding it hard to settle in until his great grand parents took them in and raised them. "Growing up in a 2 two room flat where we slept head to toe in the lounge on the couch really made us grateful, seeing how much our grandparents done for us." - TG says 

Samoan rapper Kas Futialo aka Tha Feelstyle raps in Samoan

Check out this original old skool love song - that almost everyone knows! And if you don't, don't worry!  Just have a listen and a jam along! 

The track that put Savage on the map is making a come back thanks to US President Donald Trump and Tik Tok!  US President Donald Trump's dance moves have gone viral on TikTok, with many users taking to the app and replicating his steps. The new song on which users can be seen shaking a leg to is a mix of Viva La Vida by Coldplay and Swing by Savage, and is being referred to as "Viva La Swing". Samoan NFL player Juju Smith-Schuster dances his version of it below -  {{19880}} and here's an example of how it originally started with Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump sharing this tweet below. {{19881}} Originally Seth Rogan had included the song in his movie 'Knocked Up' and it exploded after that.  He's the first NZ & Pasifika artist to go double platinum in the US.  Producer and DJ P-Money said of the single "What Savage accomplished with 'Swing' a NZ rap single went double platinum in the USA, thats 2 million copies sold - it's not streams, these are sales.  Thats unprecedented .... and then a few years after that, an Australian kid remixes it and makes it like a house/club version and he has a whole other life with this same song again so it's like the gift that kept on giving for him"  Check out more of the making of 'Swing' on PrimeTVs 'Anthems: NZ's iconic hits' - ep 4: Taking the World Stage here and an interview with Alexander Bisley here 

Tongan American Idol contestant Iam Tongi performed this beautiful cover of Tongan hymn 'Teu Hiki a hoku le'o' with his late father Rodney (RIP) about a year ago. In his audition he spoke about what a big influence his father was in his love for music and singing and also dedicated his audition song to his father. It's beautiful to see their bond in the many videos he sings with his Dad. If you'd like to learn the words we've included the lyrics in this video below with Josh and Nox from Tutu on the Beach.  {{31992}}

Opetaia and his children Olivia and Matatia Foa'i sit down for an intimate performance of this never-before-heard outtake of a track that was originally written for Disney's Moana.

From the brand new "Te Vaka Beats" percussion album for all the wonderful dancers and percussion lovers out there! BUY your copy here shop.tevaka.com

A Samoan song in remembrance of Samoa a place my Dad describes as 'colourful full of blessings from God who is the source of all good things' - words from Deacon Kelemete Ta'ale who wrote 'O Le Atua Lava' 'In God whom we trust'. They have just released their first music video to accompany this song, together with his wife Kiligi Ta'ale and featuring his daughter Julie Ta'ale of Pacific Soul. Starting off as musicians from Samoa in the 60's, they are the proud recipients of the "Best Pacific Language album" for their self written Samoan album "Penina Lalelei o Samoa" at the 2014 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards held in Auckland, NZ. Deacon K. Ta'ale has recently released another self written Samoan Gospel album in 2020 called "Aleluia, fa'afetai Aleluia", a collaborative family effort sung and produced by his children & grandchildren. His music ranges from songs about the Samoan culture, love and Gospel. He also has his very own youtube channel coming very soon where he will play some of his favourite Samoan songs on guitar including the traditional Samoan "igi".  Click here  for the full lyrics to this song and click here to access the song via all platforms 

'Since I met You' by Sammy J ft Stefanie Annika off his 'Sleepwalker' album.

For the first time in French Polynesia, more than 40 local artists will sing together on stage of To'ata. The concert will take place on Friday, February 27 at 19:30. The collective "Tamari'i Ha'uti" brings together groups, singers, comedians, local personalities. All funds raised at this event will be donated to SOS Children's Village Papara. The collective "Tamari'i Ha'uti" and the Association "To Tiare" have produced this song, Taura (link), and a music video, which will be broadcast on social networks and in the media.  

Keala Settle is the breakout star of the upcoming musical hit The Greatest Showman - and she didn't even want the part!   In the video above she talks about how she reacted when Director Michael Gracey told her she was to take the lead solo on the song and they show a clip of her singing it to the Producers who were deciding whether the film would be greenlit or not. The singer and actress has Maori heritage, with family still living here in New Zealand. But she was raised in Hawaii, also has Pacific Island, British and American heritage, went to school in Utah and has been performing on Broadway since 2011. All this is to say - as she hilariously puts it: "I have a lot of cultures within me - I'm basically chop suey". But Settle's mixed background made her unable to "fit in" as a child which led to a host of insecurities – insecurities which nearly saw her lose out on the Greatest Showman role. Read the full NZ Herald article here  And enjoy these performances of her singing "This is Me" at the 'Ellen' show & on the 'Graham Norton' show! {{8221}} {{8222}}

Enjoy this powerful rendition of “This is Me” performed by Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island artists and dancers from across the country to invite and inspire their community to be seen, heard, and counted in the 2020 USA Census.  It features performances by: Kalenakū, Raiatea, Dillion Bien, Darren Bien, Lehua Kalima, Jerchio Semanu, Kumu Hula Mark Keal’ll Ho’Omalu & Academy of Hawaiian Arts, Natalie Al Kamauu, Jordis Unga, Samoan Community Development Center Choir, Nancy Fifita “Fancy Nancy”, Ta’u Pupu’a, Voka Mataele, Lea Love, Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom, Siaki Sii, Tavaʻesina Aloʻovaveao Scanlan, Tavana Mcmoore, Tiana Liufau, Jerome Faʻanana Grey, Tinifu Loa Grey, Lāʻie Community Members, Teheiara Kealohanui Pimental Special thanks to our partners: The Kalaimoku Group, Hawaiian Airlines, Daniel K. Inouye Institute, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and 4 Miles LLC. Learn more WWW.2020CENSUS.GOV

Opetaia & his daughter Olivia perform their hit song 'We know the way' off Disney's 'Moana' soundtrack live at the Vodafone New Zealand music awards where Opetaia was awarded the International Achievement Award.

Check out this awesome unplugged version of RIA's single Winner  featuring the smooth soul sounds of Spawnbrezzie! With powerhouse vocals and beautiful harmonies, sit back and relax and let these talented Poly's serenade you with their beauty voices #Winning

New wave collective 9-5ers grace our screens with their first visual offering off their debut EP Close to Home. The NZ on Air funded first single "Talking to you" featuring soulstress Tyra Hammond of Open souls notoriety touches on the age old dilemma of Kiwis in the arts, balancing the chase of the dream whilst still waking to the daily dose of routine. The adult world is replaced by a children led reality signifying the challenges for NZ's future whilst maintaining the innocence and imagination of the arts. Watch for the subtle homage paid to local NZ films shot in the central Auckland region. We caught up with band member Feleti Pua & asked him what we can expect to hear from the group ... . So who and what are the 9-5ers?  I see Saia (SFT) is on Production - who else is involved? 9-5ers is a collective of creatives. SFT (Usual suspects), H boogie (Nesian Mystik), Edgar (Midnight gallery) and myself Sabe (Nesian Mystik). The name comes from everyone holding down 9-5pm type jobs and yet still pursing their passion.  How would you describe your sound? We call it new wave because it's such an eclectic array of styles from the beat culture which is a producer focused genre. All of us rhyme and sing so it's a real mix bag of flavours. . Love the concept of the video for 'Talking to you' - who came up with the idea to use the kids? The idea came from the Skys the limit Biggie video which put kids in to adult scenario's and we were like if people don't address the issues we're confronting in the EP then these kids inherit the same problems with this country if we don't do something about so hence why we took the kids route on the video.    Is this the first project you've worked on since Nesian Mystik disbanded? I did a soul band which was focused on live originals called Bowtie clique but this is my first recording focused band since Nesian. 

The A.R.T trio have brought yet another Island Jam to life with their version of Baby Nofo Mai (Tongan)

Our Favourite Poly Soul Singing Trio are back with the visuals to their new single "Easy"

The A.R.T trio have released the visuals to their cover of 'Fia Vaai' and its giving brown love, brown Joy!!

Emerging Samoan vocal trio A.R.T (comprised of members Anastasia, Rosetta, and T-R3X) are here to make a splash with new Pacific reggae single, "When He Was Mine."

Embracing her Desi heritage, NZ music icon Aaradhna has released visuals for her latest single, 'Mango Tree.' 🇼🇸🇮🇳 Check out the music video here!

Today, Aaradhna unveils the music video for SHE, her long-awaited return after a 7 year hiatus. An uncompromising, cinematic and beautiful piece of art - SHE speaks to Aaradhna’s spirit and womanhood, with layers that are equal parts darkness and light. The video delivers her music with intensity and instinct, calling out her heritage and taking full ownership of her creativity. “SHE pays homage to my roots. It’s a reminder that I hold power, a song to never forget what is inside me, my truth, my strength.” - Aaradhna

Check out this stunning intro to Samoan Singer Songstress Aaradhna's Album! Welcome to the Jungle

'A Life with You' - Adeaze's first hit single released in 2003 and also included on their first album 'Always and for Real'.  The video featured radio DJ Sela Alo and model Sarah-Lina. The track was later sampled by Mariah Carey for her song 'Your Girl' which featured on her album 'The Emancipation of Mimi' 

NZ R&B legends Adeaze have released visuals for their latest ballad, 'Forever I Am Yours,' check out the music video here! 🎶🌺

The Classic 'Getting Stronger' by Adeaze and Aaradhna still serenading us in the 2020's and beyond ;) 

The visuals to Tree Vaifale Manu's latest single 'Afio Ane Loa' a beautiful Samoan language track. Tree says of the song & music video -  I dedicate this to ALL PACIFIC WOMAN! Our Grandmothers, Our Mamas, My Mother’s, Our loved ones gone before us... My most personal and precious work to date and I THANK you for accepting and treating it with care. Thank you for resonating w me. Thank you for sharing your stories with me and letting the music uplift & do the same for you 😭💚 I feel them so much in my spirit and carry them with us ✨ Forever Grateful to be here, For Gods Grace and to harvest for my family, my babies and my now - Eternity to meet them all again 🙏🏽 I AM SO PROUD TO BE SAMOAN. TO REPRESENT US. TO BE INDIGENOUS 😭 TO BE POLYNESIAN. This may be a song in full Samoan but we represent ALL OF US! I refuse to continue to fight for a place in spaces no more... THIS is us - and YOU WILL RESPECT US. My Journey, nothing - would have been possible without GOD STRENGTH & for that - TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY "

Tongan singer and musician Aisea Taimani with Minor Islands - a diverse collective of artists, activists and beloved community have released their latest single 'Take a Stand'. Earlier in the year they performed and released a 'Live & Direct' album with proceeds going to help those affected by the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai in Tonga.

The Six60 boys are back with their latest summer jam 'All she wrote'  They've premiered the new track to fans at their Six60 Saturday concerts.

Kapa haka group Angitu performed this incredible cover of Adele's latest hit 'Easy on Me' in Te Reo Maori. The group performed the powerful cover as their Whakawatea during Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Herenga Tangata Hakangahau 2022 and featured a beautiful solo by Awatea Wihongi. The performance has gone viral since making an appearance on social media. It was the first live kapa haka event since February 2019 and Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Herenga Tāngata HAKAngahau presented their top teams to perform at Spark Arena. In the group of nine teams were the five Kapa Haka teams that will represent Tāmaki at Te Matatini 2023.

Anna Coddington’s third album - LUCK/TIME The album is the culmination of four years of diligent songwriting and was largely made at Anna’s own studio The Attic (literally her home’s attic). Thematically the album speaks to many different aspects faced by everyone over the course of our lives – love, loss, hope, despair, and even having a bit of Luck over a lot of Time. Showcasing all the strengths and experiences acquired over her career, Luck/Time features pop sounds with tinges of indie, disco, and yacht rock thrown in. Going against the current trend of beats-heavy production, Anna stands deliberately with her guitar in hand. With strings peppered throughout, the core of the album is all about feelings – Anna expressing her own, and the listener feeling theirs. The album features previously released singles ‘Bird In Hand’ and ‘Make You Mine’, both of which were finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll Award. Also featured are new and forthcoming singles ‘Apples’ (vid featured above) and ‘Without A Fight’ (released on October 14). Largely produced by Anna herself, Luck/Time was completed across sessions with Sean Donnelly (SJD), Jeremy Toy and Jol Mulholland. Mixing of the album has been handled by Djeisan Suskov of Lesiure fame, adding a touch of future-funk across the proceedings. As if writing and producing Luck/Time wasn’t enough, Anna is also a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin karate, a marathon runner, has an MA in Linguistics and is currently the face of the Trilogy Skincare global campaign! Across 12 songs, Luck/Time firmly welcomes Anna Coddington as one of New Zealand's premiere songwriters.   Click here to buy her album  Luck/Time Album Private Stream https://soundcloud.com/loopcrew/sets/anna-coddington-luck-time/s-IqbXI Luck/Time Video Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbVNEjaleWm2EqZA34vDEWu5b6mkTVNC Anna Coddington Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AnnaCoddingtonMusic Anna Coddington Twitter https://twitter.com/AnnaCoddington      

Our very own Kuki-Airani Soul-Diva Annie Crummer's debut song Language! Starting her music career as a child-performer, Annie Crummer released her first single at age 16 and as an established solo artist, has supported some of music's biggest acts including Sir Paul McCartney, Ray Charles and Michael Jackson.

"Aotearoa" a song to acknowledge our Reo, our unique indigenous culture and who we are as New Zealanders, as well as our connection to Aotearoa.

What happens when classical combines with contemporary?  The answer; Auckland Philharmonic Orchestras Remix The Orchestra.  A scholarship programme that offers talented urban artists the unique opportunity to collaborate with APO musicians to produce a distinctive sounding rack. The Coconet TV went along to the filming of the Music video of the APO's most recent scholarship recipient; Ellaphon Tuariki.    

She's one of New Zealand's top selling artists and one of only a handful of artists who have won a Grammy.  Here's a throwback to the first single off her album 'What to do with daylight' -

Arona with his latest single 'Pull Thru' filmed on location at Wigmore's Superstore in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Arona grew up in Kelston and has Samoan, Chinese & PNG heritage and was in the dance group SAS who won the 2008 World Hip Hop Dance champs. He's also legally blind and works at a bank for his day job. . Check out more of his music here:  YOUTUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcyT9V5AtQXScIuawS1AWlA SPOTIFY:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3vgNsFcZqYfRbTsHMmuhhL?si=QHYmS5fNSSaEZiowNNWvaA INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/aronasmusic

Nase's first single off his Logtronix album. The video depicts 'All Sides of a Lady in One Day' Element / Dancers / Pacific Island Represented / Side of a Lady: Sun / Latafale Auva’a / Samoa / Grace & Beauty Water / Sarah Vai / Tonga / Strength Wind / Lydia & Tiare Simonis / Cook Islands / Sexy & Confident Earth / Alana Foa’i-Auimatagi & Nina-Juliet Foa’i-Auimatagi / Tokelau / Love You can download the ASO (video version) for free just go to www.dynastyproductions.com.au/aso  Dynasty Productions are also giving you the chance to be a part of the next video! Just send through your dance audition video to info@dynastyproductions.com.au or via private message them via the Dynasty Productions or LogTronix Facebook Pages.  ALL ages and dance styles welcome (location is no problem).