Melodownz and Connor Pritchard win Best Video award. Photo: Quin Tauetau
Avondale MC and rapper Melodownz was the top winner at the 2023 Pacific Music Awards held in Auckland tonight.
The annual awards, which began in 2005, celebrate and acknowledge the success of Pacific artists and promote excellence in Pacific music.
Melodownz (aka Bronson Price) took out three awards: Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Music Video, and Best Pacific Music Album Award for Lone Wolf. Price, who in his 2017 track 'Anthem' referred to himself as 'the Jack Sparrow of rap', writes lyrics inspired by his Samoan/Pākehā upbringing, and his west Auckland community.
Olivia Foa'i was named Best Pacific Female Artist and won Best Pacific Language song with 'Sunlight'.
South Auckland rap crew Deceptikonz, whose debut album came out 21 years ago, won the Best Pacific Group award for their 2022 album In Perpetuity. Legendary Samoan family band Punialava'a took home the Best Pacific Gospel Artist award for Tagi Le Atunu'u Pele.
Hip hop artist Poetik (Ventry Parker) was named Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist for Hamofied Tre and singer Sam V earned the Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist award for his work on The one, the lonely EP, 'Come Through', and 'Love Again'.
Three Houses Down won Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist award for 'The Dream' and 'She Loves Me'.
Three Houses Down. Photo: Quin Tauetau
Hawaiian musician Josh Tatofi was named Best International Pacific Artist for his tracks: Prisoner of Love', 'Sweet Loven', 'Landslide', 'Still the One', 'Pua Ahih'i, 'Good Morning Beautiful', and 'Tomorrow'.
Victor J Sefo won Best Pacific Song for '685' (co-written with Ventry Parker and Elijah Tovio) and the Independent Music Award.
2023 Pacific Music Awards Winners
Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist: Olivia Foa'i - 'Sunlight'
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist: MELODOWNZ - Lone Wolf
Flava Best Pacific Group: Deceptikonz - In Perpetuity
531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist: Punialava'a - Tagi Le Atunu'u Pele
Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist: Poetik - Hamofied Tre
Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist: Sam V - The one, the lonely EP, 'Come Through,' 'Love Again'
Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist: Three Houses Down - 'The Dream', 'She Loves Me'
Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist: Josh Tatofi - 'Prisoner of Love', 'Sweet Loven', 'Landslide', 'Still the One', 'Pua Ahih'I', 'Good Morning Beautiful', 'Tomorrow'
MPG/SAE Best Producer: Mareko x Ricky Paul - Untitled: ACT 1 (Producer: Ricky Paul Musik)
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video: MELODOWNZ - 'Pray For More ft Lisi, Mikey Dam' (directed by Connor Pritchard)
APRA Best Pacific Song: Victor J Sefo - '685' (Written by Victor J Sefo, Ventry Parker, Elijah Tovio)
SunPix Best Pacific Language: Olivia Foa'i- 'Sunlight'
Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi Toa O Te Moana Nui A Kiwa | Best Pacific Music Album Award: Melodownz - Lone Wolf
NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award: SWIDT ft Lomez Brown - 'Kelz Garage'
NZ On Air Streaming Award: Savage ft Aaradhna - 'They Don't Know'
SunPix People's Choice Award - Best Pacific Artist: Wayno
Phillip Fuemana Award - Most Promising Pacific Artist: Teo Glacier
Creative New Zealand Award: Lady Shaka
Ministry for Pacific Peoples Special Recognition Award: 531pi
Ministry for Pacific Peoples Special Recognition Award: Mark Vanilau
Arch Angel Independent Music Award: Victor J Sefo
Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Te Pukenga Achievement Award: Toni Williams
