Olivia Foa’i is a singer, songwriter, dancer and director who has had a lifelong career of championing her Pacific Island roots on the world stage. First in the Internationally acclaimed band, Te Vaka (through whom she sang the opening track "Tulou Tagaloa" for Disney's 'Moana' and featured throughout the soundtrack), and later, branching out into a solo career. Described in The Guardian as 'one of the biggest stars in Pacific Music', Olivia was awarded 'Best Female Artist' at the 2020 and 2023 Pacific Music Awards. Her debut solo album 'Candid' also won the Tui for Best Pacific Album at the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards.
"Soaked with integrity the album showcases her ability to write in English and Tokelauan, delivering the integration of Polynesian sounds and culture into the Western pop and RnB realms in perfect harmony." - Nefertiti Teare (NZ Musician Mag) The album featured both English and Gagana Tokelau, a language considered "severely endangered" by UNESCO. This fact became a strong talking point of her career. She went on to write the theme song "Mai Anamua", her first track she'd written fully in Tokelauan, for the documentary "Pacific Mother" which went on to collect numerous awards including "Best New Zealand Feature" at DocEdge 2023. November of 2023 saw the release of her sophomore album, "Tūmau Pea" ("everlasting"). "...this nine-song collection is classy, consistent pop of rare intimacy with something to say..." - Graham Reid (The NZ Listener) |
Olivia wins "Best Pacific Album" at the Aotearoa Music Awards 2020On the "Blue Carpet" at the World Premiere of Moana 2016Olivia performed alongside father, Opetaia, at the NZ Music Awards 2017With Dwayne Johnson at Disney's
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