Music News - Top Shelf from Manurewa High School win the 2024 Smokefree Tangata Beats National Finals
14 September 2024 - 0 Comments
The Smokefree Tangata Beats National Final took place Friday in the band category, with the Top 10 National Finalists bringing the house down at Due Drop Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau. After an exceptional performance of original music, Top Shelf from Manurewa High School in Tamaki Makaurau - Auckland were named the winning band for 2024.
Charlie Mupopo Miller, front man and vocalist of Top Shelf, said he was overwhelmed and exhilarated by the bands win.
“I think what got us here is our teachers and our bond together as a band. We are a bit different with our members being a mix of cook islanders, filipinos and samoans. We didn’t care about coming from different backgrounds, what we cared about was how connected we could be and how well we worked together. With the support of our teachers, we had what Togans say as ‘Māfana’, we had that warmth that was transferred to us, and we just let it all out on that stage.”
In winning 1st place, Top Shelf, who is made up of students Charles Lia (Vocals), Sheneah Bayaban (Brass), Ashton Emmerson (Bass), Joshua Engu (Drums), Taparia Engu (Guitar), Charlie Mupopo Miller (Vocals) and Louise Ponifasio (Brass), have won an impressive $3,000 in musical equipment from Rockshop, as well as an $8,000 ‘New Music Single’ grant from NZ On Air to record a single, film a music video and promote the release. The band's drummer Joshua Engu also took out the Musicianship award.
Judging the National Final this year was Roimata Fox, Jeff Newton (NZ On Air), and musicians Jeremiah Fale, and Jarna Parsons.
About the winning act Jeff Newton said: “That band had a lot of energy. It felt like Supergroove reincarnated. They knew who they were, where they were, and where they were going.”
Finesse from Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls in Whakatu - Nelson were named the second place winners in the band category, winning $1,500 in musical equipment from Rockshop. A number of sought-after awards were presented at the finals, including the top three places, the Musicianship Award, the Smokefree Mana Wahine Award, the NZ Music Commission Best Song Award, the Smokefree Best Vocals Award and the Te Reo Award.
Ezekiel Fata-Meafou from Hutt Valley High School in Wellington was named the winning Solo/Duo act for 2024.
Fata-Meafou said that hearing his name as the winner felt unreal, saying “I was shocked at first. “I didn’t even think I would get past the first round, so it’s pretty incredible.”
“In my song writing I really want to send a message of encouragement to anyone who is struggling, and let them know they’re not alone,” said the 18-year-old musician. His advice for future potential Smokefree Tangata Beats entrants is, “Just do it - you don’t know what will happen. There are so many possibilities."
In winning 1st place, Ezekiel Fata-Meafou has won $1,000 in musical equipment from Rockshop. As well as this Solo/Duo placing, a number of sought-after awards were presented at the finals, including the top three places for the band category, the Musicianship Award, the Smokefree Mana Wahine Award, the NZ Music Commission Best Song Award, the Smokefree Best Vocals Award and the Te Reo Award.
Smokefree Tangata Beats, which is run alongside Smokefreerockquest, is a platform for developing and growing young musical talent reflecting the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific. For young musicians, Smokefree Tangata Beats is seen as a huge stepping stone into careers in music, with previous musical successes including the likes of Ria Hall, Spacifix, Adeaze and Strangely Arousing.
International breakthrough artists Alien Weaponry and Nesian Mystik came through the programme; the latter being the only band from Aotearoa to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.
Smokefree Tangata Beats is made possible by the support of Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga - The Ministry of Education, The Wright Family Foundation, NZ Rockshop, Ministry of Youth Development, Creative NZ, Four Winds Foundation, Lion Foundation, and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.
The Director of Health Promotion at the National Public Health Service, Health NZ, Kathrine Clarke said that Smokefree Tangata Beats holds such important kaupapa for our communities.
“The Health Promotion team at Health NZ has proudly supported Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats for nearly 35 years. Being Smokefree and vapefree is important kaupapa for Aotearoa.
We love seeing our rangatahi come together, looking after wellbeing and wairua, and celebrating every breath with mana and creativity expressed through music.
Being smokefree and vapefree means honouring your art and performing at your best. Congratulations to all the winners. Kia kaha rangatahi mā. Karawhiua and, Tihei mauri ora.”
With Top Shelf gearing up to record their NZOA single and music video as part of their prize for taking out the top spot, winning this year’s National Final is just the beginning. Stay tuned for what’s to come!
Photo Credit: Chontalle Musson
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