Shepherds Reign are nominated for six awards at this year's Pacific Music Awards. Photo:
Polynesian heavy metal group Shepherds Reign are leading nominations for this year's Pacific Music Awards.
The five-piece band, who are based in Auckland, have been nominated across six categories in the annual awards, which take place in Manukau on 29 August.
Aaradhna at the Aotearoa Music Awards red carpet event on 30 May, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Samoan-Indian R&B artist Aaradhna is nominated for five categories and Niuean Auckland-based rapper Diggy Dupé is nominated for four awards.
Onehunga rap crew SWIDT is up for three awards, while Tokelauan singer Olivia Foa'i has received three award nominations.
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the annual awards. A total of 27 finalists - 12 of them first-timers - are competing for awards across 13 categories.
Trustee and event producer Petrina Togi-Sa'ena said reaching the 20th anniversary of the awards "signals the importance and growth of the Pacific music community".
"We are grateful to all the artists, families and communities that have shared the journey and have celebrated with us each year."
All artists nominated for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards are eligible for the SunPix People's Choice Award. Voting is open until Friday 9 August.
2024 Pacific Music Awards finalists
Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist
- Aaradhna - 'She'
- Elena - 'Ur Vibe'
- Jordyn with a Why - 'Set Go | Seen Tonight'
- Olivia Foa'i - Tūmau Pea
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist
- Diggy Dupé - 'We The City'
- Kings - Dad's Son
- lilbubblegum - 'Hourglass', 'Rickys', 'Mudboy', 'Pack-a-Punch'
- Sam V - You Left Your Things Here (LP)
Flava Best Pacific Group
- A.R.T. - 'WTF Man'
- Shepherds Reign - Ala Mai
- SWIDT - 'YOUPHORIA feat HIGH HOOPS', 'Burn One Feat Stallyano', 'Hocus Pocus', 'Not 4 Sale'
SunPix Best Pacific Language
- Shepherds Reign - Ala Mai
- Signature Choir - Mana Moana
- Olivia Foa'i - Tūmau Pea
531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist
- Junior Soqeta - 'Fiji Forever (feat Pauliasi), Just You & Me (feat JSQZE)
- Signature Choir - Mana Moana
- TONE6 - 'Close Your Eyes'
Matai Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist
- Diggy Dupé - 'We The City'
- SWIDT - 'YOUPHORIA feat HIGH HOOPS', 'Burn One Feat Stallyano', 'Hocus Pocus', 'Not 4 Sale'
- Tha Movement - Cut From a Different Cloth
Pacificast Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist
- Aaradhna - 'She'
- ELENA - 'Ur Vibe'
- Sam V - You Left Your Things Here (LP)
Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video
- Aaradhna - 'She' (Director: Anahera Parata)
- Diggy Dupe - 'We The City' (Director: Tom Grut)
- EMA I'U - 'Flower of Life' (Director: Francis Baker)
- Pat - 'What Do I Do feat Dizzy Dash & Sven Illy' (Director: Danny Aumua)
- Shepherds Reign - 'Nafanua' (Director: Dave Thomson)
- Tha Movement - 'Tin City feat. Sid Diamond' (Director: Robert George)
MPGNZ/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer
- Aaradhna - 'She' (Aaradhna)
- Haz Beats - Brunette EP (Haz & Miloux) 'Run It Back' (Home Brew)
- Kings - Dad's Son (Kings)
- Oliver Leupolu - Ala Mai (Shepherds Reign)
APRA Best Pacific Song
- Aaradhna - 'She' (Writer: Aaradhna Patel)
- A.R.T. - 'WTF Man' (Writers: Anastasia Sirila, Roseta Lopa, Tiresa Foma'i, Avina Kelekolio, Edward Liu, Jeremiah Fale)
- Diggy Dupé - 'We The City' (Writer: Stephen Atutolu)
- Shepherds Reign - 'Ua Masa'a' (Writers: Filiva'a James, Oliver Leupolu, Shaymen Rameka, Gideon Voon, Joseph Oti-George)
- SWIDT - 'YOUPHORIA feat HIGH HOOPS' (Writers: Taniela Latu, Amon McGoram, Jordan Arts)
- Teo Glacier - 'Close With Desires (feat. Thuy)' (Writers: Eden Betham, Rory Noble, Thuy Tran)
NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist
- Jaro Local - 'Olbaut Olbaut', 'Wani Eh', 'Kativa'
- Josh Tatofi - 'Ouana', 'Why Worry', 'Storms Never Last', 'Fakateretere', 'I Jus Want Ya', 'I'm Gonna Love You', 'Tears On My Pillow'
- Kennyon Brown, Donell Lewis, DJ Noiz - 'Island Girl'
- Mr Cowboy - 'OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA'
Recorded Music NZ Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa Best Pacific Music Album
- Kings - Dad's Son
- Olivia Foa'i - Tūmau Pea
- Sam V - You Left Your Things Here
- Shepherds Reign - Ala Mai
- Signature Choir - Mana Moana