Pacific artists collective focuses on cultural recovery
Rako Pasefika, a collective of Pacific Island artists from the island of Rotuma, is emerging as a powerful force of cultural
Life
Josh Tatofi’s Aloha for Hawaiian Mele
Hawaiian artist - Hoku Award winner and Grammy nominee, Josh Tatofi - picked up the Best International Pacific Artist award at New Zealand’s Pacific Music Awards in 2023, adding to his growing international profile
Melodownz wins big at Pacific Music Awards
Avondale-born artist, Melodownz took out three awards at last month’s annual Pacific Music Awards in Manukau, New Zealand: Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Music Video, and Best Pacific Music Album Award
Where do I go to tell my story?
“There’s a nation of men who were abused as little boys, who are walking around and are hurting,” says Letitia Shelton. Shelton is the author of Disruptive Voices of Pacific Men, an idea birthed during
Yoyo Tuki: Proud cultural ambassador of Rapa Nui
Easter Island or Rapa Nui—which lies 3700km from Chile to the east and 4000 from Tahiti to the west—is famous for its ancestral sculptors who created the ancient colossal Moai stone statues. Their progeny, Jorge
Maimarosia inspires youth through indigenous Solomons music
Western influences can at times corrupt and dilute traditional Pacific indigenous music, but one Melbourne-based, Solomon Islands musician is reversing this trend. Charles Maimarosia headlined the Wantok Music
Rob Ruha champions Te Reo Maori in his songs
“It’s really cool” was Maori musician, Rob Ruha’s reaction to recently topping the Pacific charts with his song Taera. “I’m a little bit overwhelmed being number one on the Pacific charts,” says
Sprigga Mek soars with conscious rap
Conscious songwriter, indigenous activist, Pacific hip-hop artist, Sprigga Mek (Allan Aufamau), recently saw his work reach a global audience when his music video ‘Dodge the Bullet’ featured at the Mother Tongue
Honouring the water: Vanuatu’s water drummers
In the land where there are hundreds of indigenous languages, one stands out, the unique language of women’s water drumming, or Ëtëtung. Sandy Sur, manager of the Leweton Culture Village & Magical Water
DMP puts Solomon Islands music on the map
Island Reggae, ragga and dancehall band DMP (Doorman’s Project) is preparing to tour the United States for the first time, after a year that has seen it release a new album and receive international recognition.
Deeper Sounds, Deeper Connections
Deeper Sounds, Deeper Connections is a Pacific-Australian project which shares the unique music of the Pacific with the world. Working with groups of musicians across the region, it captures traditional instruments,
Ngaire Fuata: from chart topping singer to filmmaker
“When I started doing music here in New Zealand 32 years ago, it was a pretty lonely place for a young Pacific Island woman,” says Pacific creative powerhouse, Ngaire Fuata. But the New Zealander persevered and has
Sweet message in the music
South Auckland reggae artist, Sweet and Irie’s song Ban the Burn may be some 15 years old, but its message is as powerful and important today. Ban the Burn, which warns against meth use, was first recorded in 2006,
Fiji, PNG writers shortlisted for short story prize
Fijian and Papua New Guinean writers have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Mary Rokodravu, who won the 2015 Pacific prize, has been shortlisted for her work ‘The
Stan and the Earth Force talk Vanuatu music
By Rowena Singh Stan Antas, founder and lead singer of Vanuatu’s Stan & the Earth Force, says music has always been part of his life, and part of Vanuatu’s culture. “We're big on reggae here and our local
Kavita Kalyan’s musical journey
By Rowena Singh “Fiji is a strong part of my existence,” says ghazal and Bollywood singer Kavita Kalyan. Kalyan is Australian born, but with strong family ties that take her back to Fiji, and her extended family in
Niuean musician, actor and entrepreneur: Glen Jackson
By Rowena Singh Niuean musician Glen Jackson did not know that he came from a musical family until he returned to the Rock in 1985. “Growing up in Otara [New Zealand], my mum introduced me to the guitar, I was already