Tha Feelstyle Dominates at Pacific Music Awards

Samoa-born hip hop artist Tha Feelstyle (Kas Futialo) won three awards at the inaugural 2005 Pacific Music Awards announced at Pasifika in on Friday night (March 11).

Tha Feelstyle took the Niu FM Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and the New Zealand Music Industry Commission Best Pacific Male Artist for his 2004 album, 'Break it to Pieces'.

Together with Ian Seumanu, Tha Feelstyle also won the APRA Best Pacific Song category for the single Su’amalie from 'Break it to Pieces'. Kas writes and records in both Samoan and English.

Ardijah – who first formed as a duo in 1980 – won the Tui for the Niu FM Best Pacific Music Album category for 'Journey'. Now a sextet, Ardijah won most promising group at the 1987 NZ Music Awards. During 2004 the group played support for New Zealand concerts by both George Benson and James Brown.

While the Tui was presented at the Pacific Music Awards Ardijah will be again acknowledged at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards in October 2005.

Fraternal R&B duo Adeaze, finalists in two categories at last year’s Vodafone NZ Music Awards, takes out Radio 531PI Best Pacific Group for 'Always & for Real'.

Adeaze brothers Nainz and Viiz Tupa'i have had two number one singles from the album, Getting Stronger and the album’s title track. The duo’s sound features soaring harmonies and emotional song writing that is a legacy of their church upbringing.

The C4 Best Pacific Female Artist for music released in 2004 is Sara-Jane Auva’a for her self-titled album 'Sara-Jane'. The former Pacific Soul member has led a diverse singing career from Pacific Island groups to international jazz performances. As a member of Pacific Soul, Sara-Jane won a Tui for Best Pacific Album at the 2003 NZ Music Awards.

In a poignant moment during the awards the late Phil Fuemana, widely recognised as the godfather of urban pacific music, posthumously received the Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to Pacific music.

The full list of finalists and winners from the 2005 Pacific Music Awards are:

Winner: Sara-Jane Auva’a for 'Sara-Jane'

Other finalists: Anna Williams for Searching

Kat Theo for Waiting

Other finalists: Ardijah for 'Journey (Aere’anga)'

D1 Family for Koko Luv

Other finalists: Dei Hamo for We Gon’ Ride

Scribe for Dreaming

Other finalists: Dei Hamo for We Gon’ Ride

Scribe for Dreaming

Other finalists: Aniseto Falemoe for 'Afe O Maila Ole Alofa'

Ephraim for 'Moemoea o Avaiki'

Other finalists: Ryan Monga for Journey (Aere’anga)

Nainz Tupa’i and Viiz Tupa’i for Getting Stronger