By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti
The 10th FIPRA (Fiji Performing Rights Association) Awards 2023 promises to be glamourous celebration of the original work of Fijian artists, filled with good food, good company, and amazing live performances.
FIPRA’s Chairman, Eremasi Tamanisau, says “the awards celebrate the many different composers, vocalists, instrumentalist artists, recording engineers, and musicians for sustaining the creation of new original works year in and year out, despite the numerous challenges faced in terms of the catastrophic pandemic and consequent economic disaster.”
The awards have 14 categories, and nominees for eleven of those were announced at FIPRA’s virtual nominee event livestreamed online this week. The categories are: best iTaukei song, best English song, best Hindi song, best hip-hop song, best recording engineer, most popular song, most popular music video, best new artist, artist of the year, and best composer.
The nominees include popular artists, the Yanu Boys, Natalie Raikadroka, Drix, V5, Navitomi Advent Singers, The West Fiji, Josa, and many more.
Various categories are judged on originality, lyrics, composition, likeability, and production. For the most popular song and most popular music video, however, the public gets to decide. Today marks the first day of voting on the FIPRA Facebook site, with online voting ending on May 12, the eve of the awards night.
FIPRA secretary Paris Nasaroa says, “Guests can expect a one-hour cocktail by the Grand Pacific Hotel pool, a buffet dinner, two bottles of wine per table, and an opportunity to network with some of Fiji’s music artists.”
As with past awards, guests can expect electrifying performances from some of Fiji’s biggest artists. Tickets are available at the GPH reception and at FIPRA’s office, 66 McGregor Road, Suva.
