PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS 2022
It's the biggest celebration of Pacific Music in Aotearoa and the live event returned for the first time in two years.
There were 26 finalists in total with a mix of new musicians debuting music, established music artists, Pacific industry icons and everything in between.
This year iconic Samoan singer-songwriter Fa'anana Jerome Grey was honoured with the Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement award and there was a new Creative New Zealand award.
We've got all the winners and some of your fave artists on the red carpet for you below -
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
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All
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The Winners
Pacific Music Awards winners
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Red Carpet
Niu FM – Pacific Media Network recognised with a Ministry for Pacific Peoples Special recognition award.
Pictured here - CEO for Pacific Media Network Don Mann & Niu FM Programme Director Lui Vilisoni
The inaugural Arch Angel Independent Artist Award was presented to lilbubblegum to support his burgeoning career, after his breakout hit ‘af1s’ went viral last year - reaching over 20 million Spotify
streams.
Receiving the first Creative New Zealand Awards are Shepherds Reign, recognising their contributions to the Pacific music scene and to help further the impact of their art.
Newcomer Jarna was awarded the Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist, pictured here with Brotha D and Tony Fuemana.
Niu FM's Morning Shack - The Western Guide, Tim Dennis & Regan Foa'i with Niu Fm's Best International Pacific Artist
Onehunga-based hip hop crew SWIDT took out three awards for Flava Best Pacific Group, Base FM & Island Base Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist
SWIDT also took out APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘Kelz Garage’, written by Daniel Latu, Amon McGoram, Isaiah Libeau, Lomez Brown (pictured on the far right), and Samuel Verlinden.
For their work on The Panthers OST, Diggy Dupé, choicevaughan & P. Smith were recognised with the MPG/SAE Best Producer award.
Furthermore, the song ‘Ain't The Same’ featuring Melodownz & Summer Vaha'akolo won NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video and was directed by Tom Hern and Timēna Apa.
Kings was named for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, and received both the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award and NZ On Air Streaming Award for his track ‘Help Me Out’ featuring Sons of Zion.
Members of the Grey aiga in Aotearoa who accepted the 2022 Lifetime achievement award on behalf of Fa’anana Jerome Grey
Grey’s iconic song ‘We Are Samoa’ became the unofficial anthem of the country, and his legacy was celebrated through a tribute performance by Brotherhood Musiq and Resonate.
Anthem were recognised with 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist pictured above with Inangaro Vaka'afi and Tofiga Fepulea'i who presented their award from 531 PI.
Barbecue favourites Tomorrow People were honoured with One Love Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist as well as the Recorded Music Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa | Best Pacific Music Album for their album 21.
Kas Futialo aka Tha Feelstyle received the award for SunPix Best Pacific Language for the album Grandmasta Kas.
Sibling outfit Samson Squad were the crowd favourites, taking out SunPix People’s Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist