Pacific Music Awards Finalist: Ema I’u Talks New Album, Creative Vision & Community
PMA Finalist: Ema I'u - Flower of Life
The 2024 Pacific Music Awards are celebrating 20 years this Thursday, August 29, at the Due Drop Centre in Auckland. We spoke with finalist EMA I'U about her nomination and reconnected after meeting at the first SXSW Sydney Festival, where her music video "Flower of Life" premiered globally.
Thinking about the past year, what does being nominated for the ‘NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video‘at the 2024 Pacific Music Awards mean to you?
I'm thrilled and grateful to be here, especially for the 20th anniversary. I can't wait to share more.
What have you been working on lately?
I'm working on my debut album with lots of songs, my next music video, and a few other projects.
Next year will be big, so this is great for building my confidence.
If money was no object, what would be your dream project?
I'm almost there (with the album) which has narrative videos or documentaries that join into the kaupapa of the things I’m writing about.
With a background in theatre and screen, I want to really explore those things and community.
I’m passionate about climate action and especially as I’m from the Pacific.
I want to raise awareness for issues in the region.
As a community, how can we ensure that Pacific music artists continue to thrive for the next twenty years?
It's making it accessible to our rangatahi, that music is a viable career and that it can support us and sustain us in different ways.
There's not just one way of doing it and you don’t have to be winning awards to do it.
There's a community aspect to it. There’s a spiritual aspect also and it heals us.
Image Credit: Pacific Music Awards So as long as there are events that create confidence, because our people are so talented in this area. We were born to be orators and performers and we need to create more opportunities.
That's why I love things like the NZ on Air New Music Pasifika programme and all these kinds of opportunities, which if you’ve come from a background that you just didn’t think this was an option, well maybe it is!
There's so much talent!
Lastly, if there is one thing that you want people to know about you, what would it be?
My name is EMA I’U.
I am proud to be Samoan and Tangata Moana, and thankful to be here.
