‘King of Ukulele’ receives 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award
Sione ‘King of Ukulele’ Aleki’s 30 years of performance was celebrated at the recent S3 Pacific Music Awards in Manukau City.
Recognised as the world’s number one ukulele entertainer, Sione received the Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.
The awards evening was a true celebration of Pacific music, with nine award presentations and live performances by Three Houses Down, Cydel, Vaniah Toloa, Kas Futialo, Julie Ta’ale, Lole Usoalii and Nesian Mystik.
“The awards are a fantastic opportunity to honour and celebrate the rich creative talents of our Pacific people. Music and arts not only illustrate Pacific culture and life, they also provide a platform for the economic development of Pacific people,” said Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.
Category winners were:
- Te Vaka honoured with the Radio 531pi Best Pacific Group award and the coveted Tui for the S3 Best Pacific Music Album for ‘Olatia’.
- Scribe won the NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist Award for his second album ‘Rhyme Book’. Malo Luafutu (a.k.a. Scribe) was also a co-winner with Tyra Hammond, Aaron Iusitini and Jordan Iusitini for ‘Say It Again’ (published by Mushroom Music) which prevailed in the APRA Best Pacific Song category.
- Cydel took out the award for Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist for ‘Soul Finder’.
- Three Houses Down picked up the Manukau City Council People’s Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist.
- Lole won the Counties Manukau District Health Board - Smokefree Best Pacific Female Artist, for ‘The Movement’.
- Singer, songwriter and producer Matthew Salapu Faiumu won The Phillip Fuemana Award.
- The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Lifetime Achievement Award went to Sione ‘King of Ukulele’ Aleki.
See the S3 Pacific Music Awards website for photos of the event.
This entry was posted on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 8:51 am and is filed under Music.
