Distilled from a record number of entries, a well-judged blend of old and new artists are to be found among the 24 finalists announced across 13 categories for the 2020 Pacific Music Awards.

Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua noted that despite the challenging situation provided by the Covid-19 crisis it’s more important than ever to celebrate the successes of our artists.

Back in 2017 Pacific Music Awards spectacularly presented Te Vaka band leader Opetaia Foa’I with a Special Recognition Award for his contributions to Disney’s Moana soundtrack. Three years later his extraordinarily talented daughter Olivia Foa’i is in the running for four 2020 Pacific Music Awards. Her acclaimed debut solo album ‘Candid’ sees her nominated for Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Language, Best Producer (with her brother Matatia) and the Tui-awarded NZ Best Pacific Music Album.

Co-leaders among the finalist list are Auckland hip hop duo Church & AP, who released their debut album ‘Teeth’ in November. They’ve also been nominated for four categories; Best Pacific Group, Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, Best Producer and again for Best Pacific Music Album.

Given the success of his ‘Hamofied 2 EP’ release Poetik, another outstanding hip hop artist, achieved has been nominated for three 2020 Pacific Music Awards; Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and as another finalist in the Best Pacific Music Album Tui category.

Outstanding South Auckland act Shepherds Reign become the first Polynesian heavy metal group to be nominated as Pacific Music Award finalists. They’re up for Best Pacific Group, Best Pacific Language and Best Pacific Song for their stirring single Le Manu – inspired by the legend of an ancient Samoan warrior and quite possibly the first heavy metal song sung in the Samoan language.

Having released her first solo material in 2019, with plans to release her first album this year, Lou’ana finds herself a finalist for Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist and also the Best Pacific Music Video – sharing that category with SWIDT and Disciple Pati.

The Pacific Music Trust had previously confirmed they would not host the 2020 awards ceremony on May 21 as was planned, or stage the usual finalist announcement event. A possible new date for the 2020 Pacific Music Awards celebration has yet to be announced.

The 2020 Pacific Music Awards finalists by category are:

Best Pacific Female Artist:
Bella Kalolo – Ends Of The Earth
Lou’ana – Move Along
Olivia Foa’i – ‘Candid’

Best Pacific Male Artist:
Lepani – Pockets Full of Love
Noah Slee- ‘Twice’
Poetik – ‘Hamofied 2 EP’

Best Pacific Group:
Church & AP
Shepherds Reign
Tomorrow People

Best Pacific Song:
General Fiyah – It’s You feat. Three Houses Down
Lani Alo – Alo I Ou Faiva
Shepherds Reign – Le Manu

Best Pacific Language:
Lani Alo – Alo I Ou Faiva
Olivia Foa’i – ‘Candid’
Punialava’a – ‘Sili’aga I Fa’atufugaga, Beyond Our Stories’
Shepherds Reign – Le Manu

Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist:
Church & AP – ‘Teeth’
Melodownz – No Mercy feat. Denzel Curry
Poetik – ‘Hamofied 2 EP’

Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist:
Jordan Gavet – ‘Hesitation’
Lepani – ‘Pocket Full of Love’
Lou’ana – ‘Move Along’
Noah Slee – Twice

Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist:
General Fiyah – It’s You feat. Three Houses Down
Lomez Brown – Tell Me
Raggadat Cris – ‘I Swear’
Tomorrow People – Fever feat. Fiji

Best Pacific Gospel Artist:
Lani Alo – Alo I Ou Faiva
Punialava’a – ‘Sili’aga I Fa’atufugaga, Beyond Our Stories’
JXN – Talako Dragon

Best Pacific Music Album:
Church & AP – ‘Teeth’
Olivia Foa’I – ‘Candid’
POETIK – ‘Hamofied 2 EP’

Best Producer:
Church & AP – Teeth (Producer Dera Meelan)
Kings – Hit That
Mikey Mayz – Wild People (Producers Tia Drumma and EDY)
Olivia Foa’i – Candid (Producer Matatia Foa’i)

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:
Disciple Pati – The Boy Who Cried Woman (Directed by Shae Stirling and Sapati Apa)
Lou’ana- Eye To Eye (Directed by Annie Duckworth)
SWIDT – Bunga (Directed by Anahera Parata)

Best International Pacific Artist:
HP Boyz
Josh Tatofi
Kaiit

There will be six other awards to be announced for the 2020 Pacific Music Awards: Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Pacific Artist, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award, NZ On Air Streaming Award, People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist, Special Recognition Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.