Hawaiian musician Josh Tatofi may have been nominated for a Grammy and won multiple awards, but he’s still in disbelief that he’s selling out stadiums and massive venues across his South Pacific tour.
Tatofi’s debut album This Love, released in 2016, garnered critical acclaim, and he followed it up with beloved releases like ‘Ouana, Pualena, and Fakateretere.
Today, the Hoku Award-winner, who also took out Best International Pacific Artist at Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Music Awards last year, has sold-out shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
He told Nesia Daily it all started with wanting to make great music, touch hearts, and “showcase my culture and my upbringing”.
“But as far as selling out these venues and stadiums … I don’t even think it has even settled in … we’re just doing what we love,” he said.
“You know, we’re just a bunch of Polynesian kids, that wanted to play music. And … take music a step further.
“I never thought that we’d be here, but since we are, we’re definitely going to take advantage of the opportunity.”
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Pacificast is the crew behind the tour, and its CEO Tana Tupai said the tour represented cultural significance across the diasporas.
“[Josh] is the first to successfully complete a tour of the region that served our home island nations and sold out prestigious theatres in Australia and New Zealand, breaking new ground and inviting our community to venues no other Pacific Islander had ever performed at,” he said.
“His music not only celebrates our rich heritage but also fosters a sense of unity and belonging among the diasporas in Australia, New Zealand and America.
“This tour serves as a powerful testament to our shared identity and the resilience of our communities, bridging distances and rekindling pride in our roots.”
‘Music lives longer than’ you
Born in Honolulu, Tatofi grew up on Windward O‘ahu. His father Tivaini Tatofi, is a founding member of the legendary reggae band Kapena.
While his early musical journey was heavily influenced by his father, Tatofi says he found his own calling.
“Music for me was like my journal,” he said.
“If music is that outlet for you, perhaps it’s a profession that you should take on.
“I felt like music was my calling … I felt like I have to do this … It was one of those haunting things that I had to fill the void. And so once I got on that bus, I never got off.”
Tatofi urged young Pacific musicians considering a career to “just go”.
“Because what we don’t want to do is be 50, 60 years old and be like, ‘Man, I could have…’
“Instead, I would rather be able to claim… like, ‘You know what? I gave it a shot; it didn’t work’. Or ‘I gave it a shot, and I’m so glad I did, because I made it here’.
“I feel like it’s more important to say that you did it and it didn’t work out, than to say that you didn’t do it at all.
“I feel like you should get up, go on and get yours.”
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