Pacific Music Awards celebrate 10 years at the top

David Dallas is nominated for five awards at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards.

Big-name musicians dominate the pool of finalists for the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards this year.

Urban artists David Dallas and Ladi 6 both have five nominations each and are up against performers from across the Pacific to take home trophies at the 10th anniversary of the awards, held tomorrow night.

Dallas, nominated for Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Urban Artist, Best Pacific Song, Best Pacific Music Video and Best Pacific Music Album, took home the Best Pacific Male Artist trophy in 2012.

Ladi 6, the Pacific Female Artist winner in 2011, is up for Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Urban Artist, Best Pacific Song, Best Pacific Music Video and Best Pacific Music Album. The Christchurch-born musician's third album Automatic, produced with her partner and music collaborator Brent Park, received critical acclaim.

Following a mostly sold-out national tour earlier this year, Sol3 Mio are up for Best Pacific Music Album and Best Pacific Group.

The awards will celebrate hip hop artist Che Ness, also known as Che Fu, as the Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.

Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua said Che's status in the music industry is befitting the significance of the 10th anniversary of the awards.

"Che has significantly influenced Pacific music in the past decade and inspired other artists to follow his lead. That is essentially what we are celebrating with his award and the awards themselves.''

Rev Strickson-Pua said the 10th anniversary "marks a milestone of Pacific achievement, where we honour our musicians, the industry and Pacific nations''.

The performers at the awards night held tomorrow at the Vodafone Events Centre, Auckland from 7pm will be a mix of 2014 finalists and previous award winners, including Creative Souls Project, BrownHill, Mark Vanilau, Kas Futialo, GiantKilla, Cydel, Kalaga'la, Smashproof and Ardijah.

Vodafone Pacific Music Award finalists:

Trillian Trust Best Pacific Female Artist:
Bella Kalolo - Time and Space
Ladi 6 - Automatic
MzJ - You Make Me Smile

NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist:
David Dallas - Falling Into Place
Mark Vanilau - Dark Horizon
Swiss - Lucky Man

Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist:
David Dallas - Falling Into Place
Ladi 6 - Automatic
BrownHill - Firstlove

Radio 531PI Best Pacific Group:
BrownHill - First Love
Sol3 Mio - Sol3 Mio
Tomorrow People - One.5

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:
David Dallas - Runnin'
King Kapisi - Crush
Ladi 6 - Ikarus

APRA Best Pacific Song:
David Dallas - Runnin'
Ladi 6 - Ikarus
Mark Vanilau - Giant of the Sea

Tagata Pasifika Best Pacific Language:
Fiafia - Band Pepelo
Kelemete & Kiligi Ta'ale - Penina Lalelei o Samoa
YFC Alumni NZ Choir - Amuia le Tagata

Best Pacific Gospel Artist:
Kelemete & Kiligi Ta'ale - Penina Lalelei o Samoa
Lifestyle - Lifestyle (of Worship)
YFC Alumni NZ Choir - Amuia le Tagata

Flava Best International Pacific Artist:
Fiji - Born & Raised II - The ReBirth
Kalaga'la - Aimons Nous
Spawnbreezie - Perfect

Auckland Council Best Pacific Music Album:
David Dallas - Falling Into Place
Ladi 6 - Automatic
Sol3 Mio - Sol3 Mio