:2009 S3 Pacific Music Awards:

The finalists for the 2009 S³ Pacific Music Awards have been announced with Ladi 6 and Nesian Mystik both named in four categories each.Ladi 6 is a finalist for her highly anticipated and long awaited debut solo album, ‘Time is Not Much’ in the Best Pacific Female Artist, Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist and the S³ Best Pacific Music Album categories.

She is also a finalist in the APRA Best Pacific Song category for her catchy single, ‘Walk Right Up’. An MC as well as a renowned vocalist, Ladi 6 is known for her energetic live performances, sublime soulful vocals and conscious lyrics. Nesian Mystik is a finalist for their album, ‘Elevator Musiq’, in the Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artitst, Radio 531P1 Best Pacific Group and the S³ Best Pacific Music Album categories.Number 1 smash hit, ‘Nesian 101’, has earned the band a place as finalist in the APRA Best Pacific Song category.

Their cultural backgrounds unite a remarkable diversity of Polynesia in bringing together Maori, Tongan, Samoan and Cook Island ancestry leading to the group becoming one of the biggest names in New Zealand music.Altogether 12 artists and groups have been announced as finalists at a function in Manukau City tonight (16 April) hosted by His Worship Mayor Len Brown and the Manukau City Council.

Also up for more than one award are Angela Afeaki and Devolo.Angela Afeaki is a finalist for Best Pacific Female Artist with her album ‘Tongan Rendezvous’ and the APRA Best Pacific Song award for her single ‘Happy Happy Tonga’. Devolo is in the running for the NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and the Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist award with his album ‘Heaven & Hell’.

The full list of finalists for the 2009 S³ Pacific Music Awards is:

BEST PACIFIC FEMALE ARTIST

Ladi 6 ‘Time is Not Much’

Angela Afeaki ‘Tongan Rendezvous’

Iva Lamkum ‘Iva Lamkum EP’

NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST

Devolo ‘Heaven & Hell’

Mareko ‘White Sunday 2: The Book of Mark’

Vince Harder “Strobelight”

NIU FM BEST PACIFIC URBAN ARTIST

Devolo ‘Heaven & Hell’

Ladi 6 ‘Time is Not Much’

Nesian Mystik ‘Elevator Musiq’

RADIO 531PI BEST PACIFIC GROUP

Cydel “There’s A Place”

Horsemen Family ‘My Shout’

Nesian Mystik ‘Elevator Musiq’

APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG

Angela Afeaki “Happy Happy Tonga” (A. Afeaki/W. Afeaki/J. Afeaki)

Ladi 6 “Walk Right Up” (K. Tamati/B. Park)

Nesian Mystik “Nesian 101” (Atai/Manukau/McNulty/Reeder/Rikiau/Strickson-Pua)

BEST PACIFIC GOSPEL ALBUM

St Pauls Methodist Church Otara ‘2008 Choir’

South Auckland Community Church Band ‘Set Us Free’

Oyster Music – various artists ‘The Gospel According to….’

S³ BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM

Angela Afeaki ‘Tongan Rendezvous’

Ladi 6 ‘Time is Not Much’

Nesian Mystik ‘Elevator Musiq’

Source: Spasifik Magazine