Music
Musician’s passion
ALESI Naituivau’s passion for singing began at a tender age and her passion for writing songs was harnessed when she joined as a freelance feature writer for a newspaper in 1997. Naituivau says she comes from a family of singers and composers from her mother’s side, the Naivalurua family. “My mother’s family is the Naivalurua...
Young singer unveils album
MEGHNA Goundar’s interest in music began at the tender age of four after watching her father, Sagadewan Goundar, practise with his band. Today at 16 years, she said she was thankful for the influence her father had on her because it opened up the opportunity to release her first album. “So it all started as...
Love for classics behind support
THE Fiji Performing Right Association (FPRA) received yet another boost to its preparation for its annual awards night. This was after Hot Bread Kitchen (HBK) handed over $10,000 to event organisers yesterday for the show in May. The contribution is expected to fund the best composition category at the awards — one of the major...
Tribute to Bob Marley
WHEN Maxi Priest sang on US jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour’s remake of Waiting In Vain released in 1993 and Jonathan Butler recorded his soulful version of No Woman No Cry in 2001 — they captured and reinvented classic Bob Marley tunes in ways never before imagined. Ritenour’s addition of one of Marley’s most memorable love...
FPRA awards 2019: Goodman Fielder secures naming rights
THE Fiji Performing Rights Association today announced Goodman Fielder as the major naming rights sponsor for the FPRA awards this year . FPRA director Inoke Kalounisiga acknowledged Goodman Fielder for coming on board this year and giving a sponsorship worth $25,000. “It will now be named the 2019 FPRA Music Awards presented by Goodman Fielder,...
$5k sponsorship boost for annual music awards
THE Fiji Performing Rights Association’s (FPRA) preparations towards their annual music awards in May is well in progress. FPRA board members yesterday received a timely gift of $5000 cheque from Vatuvara Private Islands in Suva. FPRA board member Laisa Vulakoro said the island resort was sponsoring the “Best English Song” category for this year’s awards...
$10k Digicel support for 2019 FPRA awards
DIGICEL Fiji today announced its support of $10,000 sponsorship for the 2019 Fiji Performing Rights Association (FPRA) music awards to be held in May at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. Digicel Fiji chief executive officer Mike Greig said it was a great partnership to support local musicians strive for success in the work they...
Singer sings his heart out in his new album
AFTER three years on a sabbatical, popular singer, Viliame Navoka is back with a new single. Viliame , who goes by the stage name VLY, says this song will show a different side of him apart from the usual upbeat and dance tracks that Fijian listeners associate him with. VLY has several Fijian hits to...
VLY comeback into the music scene with a love song
AFTER a three year break from composing and recording music, local artist Viliame Navoka AKA Vly is back with a newly released love song. Known usually for his upbeat and groovy dance tracks, the bubbly singer says this song will show a different side of him to listeners. “Its actually a sad song about a...
For the love of music
GROWING up in their respective villages and singing sigidrigi was one of the factors that motivated seven men from Nagigi Village in Labasa and nearby villages in Savusavu to form a band of their own. Known as the Nakauvadra-Dewala-Vasu-Ni-Tuatua Brothers, their mission is to share their talents and encourage more people to love music. For...
Marika’s love for music
AFTER many years on the music front, singer and songwriter Marika Nakete feels it’s time to give recording another go. Some of the local hits Marika worked on alongside his aunt Laisa Vulakoro include A sia dina arai and Aule which made it to the top of the local radio hits in the past few...
Prasad’s passion for music
“SINGING is my passion and it has never affected my studies or work.” These were the words of Nitesh Prasad who is a bhajan, kirtan and lokgeet singer from Rovadrau in Navua. A policeman by profession, Prasad is known for his humbleness and friendly behaviour in his community. He has even earned the nickname “Bhaiyaji”...
FPRA music awards to be held in May
THE Fiji Performing Rights Association (FPRA) music awards will be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel on May 11. This was confirmed by the Director of FPRA Inoke Kalounisiga during a press conference yesterday. Mr Kalounisiga said there were 15 awards up for grabs this year. “We’ve got 15 categories as its been in the...
West show for FPRA music awards nomination announcement
THE Fiji Performing Rights Association (FPRA) music awards nomination announcement show will be held in Lautoka on March 16. This was confirmed in a press conference today by FPRA director Inoke Kalounisiga He said since its held every year in Suva they would like to change things and involve those in the Western Division. “The...
Sumit’s love for music
SUMIT Kapoor has come a long way in his life and for him, being able to have music in his life has come as a blessing. In this week’s Backtrack’s column, this newspaper caught up with Sumit and how he is developing a career in the music and entertainment industry. Originally from Bulileka in Labasa,...
