Big names to fore at music bash

Ladi6.

Big-name musicians dominate the pool of finalists for the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards this year.

Urban artists David Dallas and Ladi6 have five nominations each and are up against performers from across the Pacific to take home trophies at the 10th anniversary of the awards in Manukau tonight.

Dallas, nominated for best male artist, best urban artist, best song, best video and best album, took home the best male artist trophy in 2012.

Ladi6, the female artist winner in 2011, is up for best female artist, best urban artist, best song, best video and best album. The Christchurch-born musician's third album Automatic, produced with her partner and music collaborator Brent Park, received critical acclaim.

Following a mostly sold-out national tour earlier this year, Sol3 Mio are up for best album and best group.

The awards will celebrate hip hop artist Che Ness, also known as Che Fu, as the lifetime achievement award winner.

Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua said Che's status in the music industry is befitting the significance of the 10th anniversary of the awards.

"Che has significantly influenced Pacific music in the past decade and inspired other artists to follow his lead. That is essentially what we are celebrating with his award and the awards themselves."

Rev Strickson-Pua said the 10th anniversary "marks a milestone of Pacific achievement, where we honour our musicians, the industry and Pacific nations".

The performers at the awards from 7pm will be a mix of 2014 finalists and previous award winners, including Creative Souls Project, BrownHill, Mark Vanilau, Kas Futialo and GiantKilla.

Finalists include

Trillian Trust Best Pacific Female Artist:
• Bella Kalolo "Time and Space''
• Ladi6 "Automatic''
• MzJ "You Make Me Smile''

NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist:
• David Dallas "Falling Into Place''
• Mark Vanilau "Dark Horizon''
• Swiss "Lucky Man''

Radio 531PI Best Pacific Group:
• BrownHill "First Love''
• Sol3 Mio "Sol3 Mio''
• Tomorrow People "One.5''

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:
• David Dallas "Runnin'''
• King Kapisi "Crush''
• Ladi6 "Ikarus''

APRA Best Pacific Song:
• David Dallas ``Runnin'''
• Ladi6 "Ikarus''
• Mark Vanilau "Giant of the Sea''

Auckland Council Best Pacific Music Album:
• David Dallas "Falling Into Place''
• Ladi6 "Automatic''
• Sol3 Mio "Sol3 Mio''

For a full list of finalists go to pacificmusicawards.org.nz.