SP Music Awards – 2004/2005

Papua New Guinea Music has come a long way and so has the standard of our music. Since the early sixties PNG musicians have entertained, captured our memories and some times changed the way we think right through the years, Papua New Guinea has produced many fine musicians and artists.

These great musicians have become household names in PNG, through the Pacific and some around the world, names such as George Telek Mamua; Buruka Tau; John Wong; Ben Hakalitz; Late Jack Clunn; Loujaya Dunar; Julie Toliman; Patti Pots Doi; Demas Saul; O-shen.

We’ve also seen groups like:
Waghi Hellcats; Sanguma; Tambaran Culture; Tumbuna 84’; Barike; Molachs; Painim Wok; Quakes; Memehusa; Gwadu; Hausboi. PNG music would not have come this far without the help and guidance of audio Sound Engineers from outstanding recording studio such as:

Chin H Meen Supersound Studio; Pacific Gold; Tumbuna Trek Studio; Island Sounds Studios; Kumul Studio’s, Power Haus; Cyclone Digital Studio B37 and along with many upcoming studios.

To coincide with the celebrations of our 30th Independence Anniversary year, SP Brewery under its brand SP Lager through the initiative of “tok pisin” radio station 93FM YUMIFM has agreed to be the major sponsor for the inaugural SP Music Awards.

SP Brewery recognizes the important role music plays in bringing people together, in times of celebration whether that be, as a Country in times of National celebrations, or just amongst friends. Along with the SP Sports Awards that recognizes significant achievements in sport, the SP Music Awards will be used each year as an event to recognize and acknowledge many of our hardworking musicians, and also to encourage young, up and coming artists to continue the great traditions of PNG music.

To make such an event possible it takes partnerships, SP Brewery is the major sponsor, with supporting sponsors Courts, 96FM NAUFM and Next of Kin Productions.

This year’s awards will be called “SP MUSIC AWARDS,” recognising the efforts and contribution of our artists and musicians during the years of 2004 and 2005.

The basis of the awards and the mechanism for selecting nominee’s and eventual winners has been drawn from the weekly 93FM YUMIFM National Weekly Hit Parade countdown.

The “legend of PNG Radio & PNG Music Guru” JK (Justin Kili) introduced the first radio awards in 1997 through the end of year countdown, the YUMIFM Top 40, a culmination of weekly ratings of the YUMI WEEKLY TOP 2O.

On millennium year, 2000 the show changed names to the National Weekly Hit Parade to reflect the nationwide appeal impact and popularity of the programme.

Rating on the chart (NWHP) is based on requests, dedications received through faxes, letters and telephone calls for music programs on YUMIFM. Awards were recognized on performances, talent and creativity of artists and musicians whose music was aired on YUMIFM in the preceding 12 months of the same year, so far the awardees are as follows:

The statistics are complied every week as ratings for particular songs are finalized and rated for the annual YUMIFM awards under the following categories:

1. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

a) Individual: Awarded to a new artist who has had a big impact in the same year with his or her music.
b) Group – Awarded to a new group who has had a big impact in the same year with their music.

2. SONG OF THE YEAR

This award is given to song that remains in the chart for quite a number of weeks eg. Number one for 15 weeks.

3. SOLO ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Awarded to an artist who has had more than four or five songs in the chart or longer duration on the chart in the same year.

4. ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a new album from particular group or individual who’s had more than 4 – 6 songs in at one time or had consistent contribution from the album to our weekly countdown.

5. CHART CONSISTENCY

Awarded to individual artist who had contributed to our chart (NWHP) with songs from both current album and previous album that keeps on charting in and out of the chart.

The 2005 SP Music Awards will be held at the Port Moresby Country Club Saturday 12th of November and will feature a star studded line up of musicians, from Patti Doi, Gedix Atege, the Niuage Band and all the way from the Solomon Islands Sharzy. Tickets will be sold at the gate for K25.00 gates will open at 6pm and members of the public are advised to get there early and once you buy your ticket to go inside to avoid disappointment.