Talented line-up for Pacific awards

Smooth: Kiwi R'n'B singer J. Williams. Photo / Supplied

There are some serious match-ups at this year's Pacific Music Awards. But considering song and dance crew Te Vaka have 10 members in their group and top the finalists list with four nominations, they have a distinct advantage come awards night on May 29.

However, coming a close second are 10-piece South Auckland reggae band Three Houses Down who have three nominations.

Te Vaka, a mix of musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, the Cook Islands and New Zealand, are up for Best Pacific Group, Best Pacific Album, and the Recognition and Promotion of Pacific Language category (new this year), for their sixth album, Haoloto.

They are also nominated for best Pacific song for Te Mavaega.

The awards will be held at Manukau's TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre and include live performances from pop smoothy J. Williams and sidekick Erakah, along with Smashproof, Sweet n Irie, Aaradhna, Monstah, and Savage.

Te Vaka face some stiff competition for Best Album from Savage for Savage Island, and Three Houses Down for their second album, Break Out.

As well as Best Album, Three Houses Down are finalists in Best Group and Best Song.

West Auckland schoolteacher Malcolm Lakatani also gets three nods, including Best Song for Nukututaha, which brings together traditional Niuean music with contemporary hip-hop beats and R&B flavours.

One of the most enticing showdowns will be for Best Pacific Urban Artist, where chart-topper J. Williams takes on the hip-hop might of Savage and Smashproof.

The winner of the Best Pacific Album category will be presented with a Tui and recognised at the New Zealand Music Awards in October.

The People's Choice Award is also open to all category finalists and the public can vote at pacificmusicawards.org.nz.