Following the global music trend whereby producers are elevating out of the director’s chair into the spotlight, is Solomon Islands’ top Reggae Producer, Baka Solomon who is moving forward from the back seat as a producer of one of Solomon Island’s top Reggae band ‘Onetox’ to releasing his first EP that is set to release on May 15, 2020.
Well known throughout the pacific island region for his high-quality music production, has seen him working, in Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands and with a variety of reggae artists around the region, such as Australian based urban reggae artist Sammielz, versatile R&B, Reggae, Hip-hop artist Kaipo Kapua from O’ahu, Hawaii and collaborated with other producers on the production of Culture Crews’ Soul Survivor Album. His biggest production was the reggae cover of Adele’s ‘Hello’ performed by Rosie Delma & Conkarah that went viral around the globe with over 107 million views.
Music has always been Baka Solomon’s hideaway in life, giving meaning behind the EP title ‘Hideaway’. Hideaway exhibits some of his best productions, demonstrating no genre limitations that can be fused with reggae. From Afro Island Reggae, Island Roots Reggae to urban reggae, also exhibiting some of the top artists within the Solomon Islands, such as Jah Boy, Seanrii, Ruff Neck and Australian Reggae Artist Average Steve.
Lead single’s, Cry Over you, Is this real love & Don’t go, are already creating a lot of buzz and excitement amongst Baka Solomon’s followers & newfound followers on both Facebook & Instagram who are already anticipating the ‘EP’s release.
The ‘Hideaway’ officially releases into all stores on Friday May 15 2020.
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
The legendary Dika Dai has won the Justin Kili Award at the 2019 Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards
The awards were held at Lamana Gold Club on Friday 26th April and are the longest running Music Awards in PNG hosted by Yumi FM to recognize the talents and achievements of Papua New Guinean musicians, artists, songwriters and producers.
Dika Dai is considered a legend in the PNG music industry and was the Chief Sound Engineer for CHM Supersound for over 20 years. During his career he produced a string of smash hits for local artists such as George Telek, Helgas, Hollie Maea, Basil Greg and many many more. Dika is also a very successful artist in his own right being a member of the legendary Deejays band.
Dika’s legacy is not only the success he achieved as an artist and producer, but also for the mentoring, training, coaching he gave to the next generation of PNG musicians and artists and the inspiration he has given to young people to chase their creative endeavours.
Jaro Local, the fast rising Island Music star from the Solomon Islands, has just been announced as a finalist at the 2019 Pacific Music Awards to be held in New Zealand next month on May 23rd 2019. The announcement of the finalists was made at the Otara Music Arts Centre in Auckland on Thurs 3rd April 2019.
He is a finalist for the prestigious “Best International Pacific Artist of the Year” award. Previous winners of this award include major island music stars Common Kings, J Boog and Fiji. Jaro Local is the first artist to be nominated as a finalist from the Solomon Islands in the 15 year history of the awards.
Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua said the sheer range of different talents on display across the finalists was something to be proud of.
“First Solomon Islands and PNG artists join 12 first time finalist and seasoned veterans of our music scene and industry at the 15th anniversary for the Pacific Music Awards in 2019.
“The diverse range of talents across the finalist reminds us of the richness of the star systems for our musical navigations of referencing the stars to bring us home like our Pacific mariner ancestors. Our first- time finalists remind us of growth, richness and transition with our musical malaga ola music journey of life.”
Tickets to the 15th Pacific Music Awards ceremony will be available through www.eventfinda.co.nz
Pacific Music Awards finalists:
Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist:
– La Coco – ‘Waiting’
– Razé – ‘Not About You’
– Tree – ‘Can We’
– Villette – ‘Money’
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist:
– Kings – Lov3 & 3go
– Melodownz – Melo & Blues
– POETIK – HAMOFIED EP
– Sonatane Kaufusi – ‘Birdie’
PMN Best Pacific Group:
– Adeaze – A Mother’s Love
– SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
– Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:
– Razé X Edy – ‘Not About You’
o Directed by Kiel Tutin & Edward Liu
– Sonatane Kaufusi – ‘Birdie’
o Directed by Dave Thomson, Imaginary Friends
– SWIDT – ‘Who Run It’
Directed by 10Daniel16
– Villette – ‘Money’
o Directed by Parker Howell, Baron VR
APRA Best Pacific Song:
– Church & AP – ‘Ready or Not’
o Written by Elijah Manu, Albert Purcell
– Kings – ‘6 Figures’
o Written by Kingdon Chapple-Wilson
– Punialava’a – ‘Ana le Seanoa’oe’
o Written by Rev. Iosefa Lale Peteru
SunPix Best Pacific Language:
– Adeaze – A Mother’s Love
– Punialava’a – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao
– Sammy Atoa – ‘Samoa Finau’
Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist:
– Kings – Lov3 & 3go
– POETIK – HAMOFIED EP
– SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist:
– La Coco – ‘Waiting’
– Razé – ‘Not About You’
– Villette – ‘Not In Love’
Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist:
– Lapi Mariner – ‘Go Back’
– Runtingz Family – ‘Runtingz Anthem’
– Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist:
– Adeaze – A Mother’s Love
– Punialava’a – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao
– Revere – Revere
FLAVA Best International Pacific Artist:
– Bobby Alu – ‘Move’
– Jaro Local – Dakini Tangarareh
– Kaiit – Live From Her Room EP
Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album:
– Kings – Lov3 & 3go
– SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
– Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
SIT/MAINZ Best Producer:
– Kings & 10A (Tenei Kesha) – Lov3 & 3go (Kings)
– SmokeyGotBeatz – The Most Electrifying (SWIDT)
– Baccyard (Clinton Bently) – Melo & Blues (Melodownz)
All the artist finalists:
Adeaze – A Mother’s Love
Bobby Alu – ‘Move’
Church & AP – ‘Ready or Not’
Jaro Local – Dakini Tangarareh
Kaiit – Live From Her Room EP
Kings – Lov3 & 3go
La Coco – ‘Waiting’
Lapi Mariner – ‘Go Back’
Melodownz – Melo & Blues
POETIK – HAMOFIED EP
Punialava’a – Yesterday, Today &Tomorrow, O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao
Razé – ‘Not About You’
Revere – Revere
Runtingz Family – ‘Runtingz Anthem’
Sammy Atoa – ‘Samoa Finau’
Sonatane Kaufusi – ‘Birdie’
SWIDT – The Most Electrifying
Tomorrow People – BBQ Reggae
Tree – ‘Can We’
Villette – ‘Money’/‘Not In Love’
For more information: www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz
About the Pacific Music Awards:
In 2004 the Pacific Music Awards Committee (PMAC) was formed to realise a vision and the inaugural Pacific Music Awards debuted at Pasifika Festival in March 2005. Encouraged by the success of the awards the PMAC set about developing an annual event as a significant highlight of the New Zealand music industry calendar. The awards committee formed a Charitable Trust to organise and host the awards, and are driven by a simple core objective: to create and manage an event that acknowledges the success of Pacific artists, celebrates and promotes excellence in Pacific music and encourages young Pacific musicians to aspire to a higher level of achievement.
Every Thursday night millions of viewers tune in to watch popular local music program Rait Musik on EMTV to see their favourite local, South Pacific and classic gold artists perform on TV. Now Rait Musik is bringing your favourite artists from your TV screen in your living room to the stage.
Tomorrow night Friday 29th March, Rait Musik is hosting their first ever ‘Rait Musik Live’ concert at the Cosmopolitan, showcasing some of the most popular artists from their program, including some of the hottest artists from PNG and the South Pacific.
Headlining is one of the hottest artists in the Pacific – Jaro Local from the Solomon Islands, who is fresh off his 8 city Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific tour which sold out every venue. His new song “Vavine” feat local Central duo Jnr Vigi from Keapara is currently hot and climbing the charts. Also performing is the legendary Basil ‘Blitz’ Greg MBE, Slim Gidix, Nathan Nakikus, Kid Nesian, Kali-D and Jnr Vigi. PNG’s no.1 comedian Elton Kili will also be performing a brand new comedy set that is sure to bring the house down in laughter and tears.
Tickets are currently on sale for K50 at Vision City at CHM and Music Factory, CHM at Courts and Clearance Haus at Gordons or for K60 gate fee on the night at the Cosmopolitan. Come down and enjoy a great night of entertainment and get your tickets quick before they sell out!
Jaro Local, the fast-rising Island Music star from Solomon Islands, has linked up with up and coming PNG duo Jnr Vigi for his latest release – “Vavine”.
After learning from his father, Solomon Islands music legend Sharzy, and a stint with Island Urban boy band Dezine, Jaro Local has spread his wings as a solo artist and achieved major success over the last 2 years. His music has been streamed over 10M times globally, he opened shows for reggae legends Shaggy and Big Mountain and is currently on his second tour performing in sold out venues around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
He has been working on his new album recording at CHM Supersound Studios in PNG and whilst there linked up with local PNG duo Jnr Vigi (real names Aaron Ola and Emmanuel Ola), previously known as Jnr Viginuts. “Jnr Vigi are being played in all the clubs back in Honiara and I really like their style so I was keen to link up with them to do a song and this is what we came up with. Something for all the Vavine’s out there” says Jaro Local.
“Vavine” is an island/afrobeat dance-floor jam that is sure to set dance-floors on fire all across the Pacific. It is sung in English, Pidgin and Keapara (which is from the village the Jnr Vigi boys are from).
The song will be released worldwide on Friday 1st March 2019 and will be available on all major digital platforms.
After the first release of their 1st single ‘ Early Morning’ from their come back album early this month, the boys are feeling pretty confident with their second single ‘Baby you are’. With so many fans who have grown to love the Onetox Iconic sound, over the years, the boys feel it is rather fitting for their next single ‘Baby You Are’ to give their loyal fans a familiar sound to enjoy.
‘Baby you are’ is a reggae love ballard, saturated with sweet harmonies that kicks into an upbeat tempo with a raga by Evin Rush of DMP, giving this song, a cheerful mood to get you singing and moving along too.
The song officially releases worldwide on Friday 30th November 2018 and is now available in all digital music stores.
After the success of his first album ‘Dakini Tangarareh’ taking the pacific by storm, Jaro Local is back with his first single ‘Maineh’ feat. Ritchy, from his second album that’s set to release mid-year 2019.
After releasing a string of dance floor anthems, such as Half Malaita, Noiza & Dakini Tangarareh, Jaro Local is back with a more relaxed island vibe that will transport you back to the islands if you’re far from home.
Maineh is a soothing island jam with a laid back local island sound of strings recreated with a keyboard, on a mid-reggae tempo, complimented with beautiful harmonies, Maineh weaves in a story of two lovers who have parted ways, with him recalling memories of their love and how he misses her.
The song will be released worldwide on Friday 9th November 2018 and will be available to stream or download on all major music platforms.
About Jaro Local
Jaro Local is a 24-year-old singer/songwriter from the Solomon Islands, who is a fast rising star around the Pacific making waves internationally with his unique blend of modern island music.
Hailing from the Happy Isles, he brings a fresh sound to the Island Reggae genre, fusing genres such as roots, EDM, RnB, Pop, Latin and many others to create his own brand of modern and progressive Island Reggae music. What makes him stand out is his ability to create music that fans of Island Reggae music all over the world can feel and deeply connect with, as described by ABC Radio Australia: “Jaro Local makes music that FEELS like the islands”.
After a long hiatus from making music, world-renown island reggae band, Onetox from the Solomon Islands, are set to break back onto the music scene with the release of their new single “Early Morning” from their highly anticipated comeback album.
The group first burst onto the scene in 2008 with their ground-breaking viral smash hit song “Ramukanji” which took the Pacific by storm, hitting no.1 on charts in many countries. Over the years they have released a series of successful albums and produced more hit singles such as “Everything”, “No Solou” and “High Grade”, which led to their music being streamed millions of times on YouTube, winning multiple music awards in the Pacific and France and have performed in sold out concerts across Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia and in Asia.
Most recently one of their songs was selected to be the official theme song for popular US Travel Show ‘SV Delos’, which has garnered over 90M streams on their episodes on YouTube and has exposed the group to new fans and audiences all around the world.
‘Early Morning’ is a sunshine drenched pop reggae track signaling a new style and direction for the band whilst still retaining that signature Onetox sound. It is produced by Shefram Sound Productions and features up and coming female artist I`lle from PNG.
The Song releases worldwide on Friday 2nd November 2018 and will be available to steam or download on all major music platforms.
(Pictured: Ms. Sheena Hughes, Acting CEO of EMTV with Mr. Braden Chin, Music Division Manager of CHM)
After a number of years off-air, Rait Musik, the popular local music TV show promoting the best in PNG and South Pacific music, will finally be returning to the airwaves on EMTV due to popular demand.
The show had been a staple on EMTV for years and had consistently been one of the most top rated and popular programs on TV, attracting millions of viewers old and young alike, often rivalling the National News and Rugby League in terms of ratings and viewership. The show will continue to be produced by CHM Supersound, who have produced other popular iconic music shows such as Pepsi Fizz, CHM Supersound Hits, South Pacific Music and PNG Gospel Hits over the last 30 years.
Rait Musik will be back with a new and improved format in October 2018, which aims to kick start EMTV’s new and exciting 2019 program line up. The show will continue to play the best in PNG and South Pacific music, showcasing new music videos as well as classic gold hits, spotlighting artists via interviews and even providing some comedy entertainment. There will be some new changes to the format, but the goal will be the same, and that is to promote PNG talent and culture and bring wholesome entertainment for the whole family.
“We are delighted that Rait Musik will be back on EMTV as it was the number one local music program for such a long time in PNG” said EMTV CEO, Ms. Sheena Hughes.
“This is part of our new programming revamp in 2019, and we are excited that CHM has partnered with us to bring this entertaining music program back” she concluded.
“We’ve had so many people ask us to bring Rait Musik back, we’re excited to partner with EMTV to bring it back bigger and better” said CHM Supersound Manager, Mr. Braden Chin.
The show will be back on-air Thursday nights prime time at 7pm on EMTV.
