Jaro Local, the fast rising star from the Solomon Islands, has made history by being the first ever artist from Melanesia to win an award at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards in it’s 15 year history.
The prestigious awards ceremony, which recognizes the best Pacific talent from all over the world, was hosted at the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand on 23rd May 2019.
Jaro Local won “Best International Pacific Artist” of the year award for his hit song “Dakini Tangarareh” which has been a smash hit with lovers of island music all over the world and is at close to 5M+ streams on YouTube. The song was produced by Chris Young and Son.
Previous winners of this award include Island Music heavyweights J-Boog, Common Kings and Fiji.
Jaro Local performed live a medley of his hit songs “Half Malaita” and “Dakini Tangarareh” on the night which was telecasted live and was backed by Rako Pasefika dancers
“I’m honored to be able to win this award and to be able to perform alongside so many other talented Pacific artists. This awards is a win not only for the Solomon Islands, but is a win for Melanesia and all the small islands in the Pacific”.
Full list of 2019 Pacific Music Awards Winners:
Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist Award:
- WINNER: Razé – ‘Not About You’
- La Coco – ‘Waiting’
- Tree – ‘Can We’
- Villette – ‘Money’
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist Award:
- WINNER: Kings – Lov3 & 3go
- Melodownz – Melo & Blues
- POETIK – HAMOFIED EP
- Sonatane Kaufusi – ‘Birdie’
PMN Best Pacific Group Award:
- WINNER: Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
- Adeaze – A Mother’s Love
- SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist Award:
- WINNER: Adeaze – A Mother’s Love
- Punialava’a – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao
- Revere – Revere
Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist Award:
- WINNER: SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
- Kings – Lov3 & 3go
- POETIK – HAMOFIED EP
Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist Award:
- WINNER: Razé – ‘Not About You’
- La Coco – ‘Waiting’
- Villette – ‘Not in Love’
Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist:
- WINNER: Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
- Lapi Mariner – ‘Go Back’
- Runtingz Family – ‘Runtingz Anthem’
Flava Best International Pacific Artist Award:
- WINNER: Jaro Local – Dakini Tangarareh
- Bobby Alu – ‘Move’
- Kaiit – Live From Her Room EP
SIT/MAINZ Best Producer Award:
- WINNER: Kings & 10A – Lov3 & 3go
- SmokeyGotBeatz – The Most Electrifying, SWIDT
- Baccyard – Melo & Blues, Melodownz
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:
- WINNER: Villette ‘Money’ – Directed by Parker Howell, Baron VR
- Razé X Edy – ‘Not About You’, Directed by Kiel Tutin & Edward Liu
- Sonatane Kaufusi – ‘Birdie’ , Directed by: Dave Thomson, Imaginary Friends
- SWIDT – ‘Who Run It’ Directed by 10Daniel16
APRA Best Pacific Song:
- WINNER: Kings – ‘6 Figures’ Written by Kingdon Chapple-Wilson
- Church & AP – ‘Ready or Not’ Written by Elijah Manu, Albert Purcell
- Punialava’a ‘Ana le Seanoa’oe’- written by Rev. Iosefa Lale Peteru
SunPix Best Pacific Language:
- WINNER: Punialava’a Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao
- Adeaze A Mother’s Love
- Sammy Atoa ‘Samoa Finau’
Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album Award:
- WINNER: Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
- Kings – Lov3 & 3go
- SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Pacific Artist:
- WINNER: Melodownz
NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award:
- WINNER: General Fiyah feat Three Houses Down – ‘Here To Stay’:
NZ On Air Streaming Award:
- WINNER: Kings – ‘Don’t Worry About It’
SunPix People’s Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist:
- WINNER: Tomorrow People
Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award:
- WINNER: Her Majesty Queen Sālote Tupou lll