By MATTHEW VARI
Sunday, March 22, 2015 (Sunday Weekly Magazine, PNG)
THE Year 2015 is set to mark the 11th YumiFM Music Awards, to be held in April, recognizing the performance of PNG artists in 2014 year. However, the real story behind the radio show that gave birth to the awards initiative, takes us back before the 11 official award shows to humble beginnings in a studio under the helm of the Legend of PNG Radio and a Guru of local music in the country in the Late Justin Kili (affectionately known simply as JK) who passed away early this year.
This week, Sunday Magazine caught up with the man that has taken on the role of JK, and well known radio personality Kasty Turner Arifeae or (Kasty on the air) to trace the roots of the PNG Music Awards and the journey it has taken in being the first and only platform in recognizing the country’s musical talents and the art of PNG music as a whole.
“We started back in 2005 with just nine awards, nine categories- but as the years have gone coming up to last year, after 10 years, we have managed to come up with 18 categories,” Kasty recalls.
“The awards came about through the Late Justin Kili. The Legend of PNG Radio and a PNG Music Guru, his main purpose was the vision to recognize PNG artists and musicians.”
“When he was at Kalang FM (now FM100), he brought about the Top 20, and from that show when he moved from Kalang FM to YumiFM he maintained the show (National Weekly Hit Parade) that is the basis of which we rate our artists.”
He said that up until 1999, JK unofficially introduced the YumiFM Music Awards. During that time there were four initial categories he announced, in time to usher in the new millennium in 2000. For the first unofficial awards announcement on the air- Quakes were chosen as the Group of the Year, with their Song ‘Lulu O’ becoming the Song of the Year, which was where Patti Potts got the tag of ‘King of Pacific Music’ and the Rookie of the Year tag going to a young Gedix Atege.
“From 2001, 2002, and 2003- we unofficially announce the winners of the categories on air. By 2005 JK called us together to take the awards seriously to the next level.”
“So in 2005 we started the first YumiFM PNG Music Awards and that was the time when we started off with nine categories.”
“In fact there were eight but I pushed that we recognize Justin (JK) with a category so we asked if we could introduce an award to recognize him, and that is the Justin Kili Lifetime Achievement Award.”
The 2015 PNG Music Awards ceremony will pay tribute to Justin Kili with two categories of the JK Lifetime Achievement and the Hall of Fame. Kasty further recalled the fact that JK chose both award categories before he died as significant itself. When asked about what it was like to take over from the ‘Voice of PNG’ up till today- he confessed that the transition was not without difficulty.
“In fact, it was a challenge when he asked me to take on the Top 20 host role in 2003. I felt that it was huge shoes to wear, but he guided me through with the wisdom he had of something that he started-and revealed that he wanted me to take over,” Kasty said.
“When I took on the responsibility to host the countdown, he wanted me to understand how he rated PNG music- once I got the hang of it, with his guidance of identifying the potential of songs and artists in the country; just by listening to them and keeping an ear out to what was being heard in the streets.”
“Sometimes my predictions are spot on; some times I let the listeners react to it so that it is a collective assessment of where we see the track.Not only on air but as I go around outside the studio when I am with friends or family I am always on the job and the show never ends.”
With 11 years of crediting the works of PNG artists through the awards concepts- Kasty professed to the shift in the mindset of the Papua New Guinean artist and their recognition of their true self-worth.From something that had not been done in PNG, they introduce it in successive years through the staunch support of YumiFM station company, PNGFM Limited.
“We had artists and listeners really following it, and the artists have changed their mentality in acknowledging their worth in being recognized.”
“Every year all the artists look forward to the event- whether they make it through or not, or how long they are on the countdown or whatever position- they are always excited on the prospect of making it to the top for their hard work,” added Kasty.
He pointed out that the forever changing music landscape will give rise to more awards categories to be introduced. Last year’s awards saw the introduction of the Listeners Choice category and the Song of the Year, Group of the Year and the Artist of the Year categories also. This year will see the same 18 categories maintained- but plans are underway to introduce two more for gospel and the rap genre that has now influenced new artists and their music coming through.
“Because of the influence of overseas artists, and they young artists coming thorough are mixing the blend of music we have with more of a western influence,” explained Kasty.
“Changes like the influence we had before on our Pacific island neighbors have now shifted and they are the ones influencing us.So when we hear that what they are doing- our artists are now going a step ahead to give their listeners something different.”
With the awards set to bring a whole new experience altogether, due to the exciting list of live performances from various acts. Artists and groups both past, present, and the future will all bring the diverse mixture of PNG culture and creativity to the stage set to host the event, at the Lamana Gold Club on April 18, in Port Moresby.
"Veteran and popular Simbu rocker come pastor, Tom Lari, will make a special appearance, along with experienced hands like Pati Potts Doi, Anslom, and the ever consistent Jokema band and others.”
“Last year Jokema dominated, but this year it could go anyway, with artist like Daniel Bilip who was introduced last year, but this year he should be in a different position considering his consistency on the charts in 2014.”
“Anslom, Bilip, and Ricky Kali could fight it out for who will walk away with more awards,” Kasty grinned without giving too much away.
To the point of recognition and the protection of artist property rights, Kasty had nothing more but strong support for more protection of PNG music. He called for those in authority to put themselves into the shoes of artists- something he said the Late Kili was an advocate for.
“I feel for them because their hard work always goes for nothing. In fact, in the thoughts of the late Justin Kili, he pushed for a music body in the country.”
“He actually tried to make a difference in registering the PNG Music Association under IPA (Investment Promotion Authority), but up till now we do not know what is happening.”
“It is true that the work of our artists have not been fully recognized. When I am in the clubs I hear their songs being played I feel sorry for them- even in building lifts, ringtones, and radio stations.”
He made a point for the three PNGFM radio stations in YumiFM, NauFM, and LegendFM affiliations with APRA in Australia that the organizations pay royalties to for music being played across all three stations. With a proper body established- he said that the reports they send to APRA could then be sent to the body here, from which local artists can be compensated from for the air time they get.
“At the moment we do not have a music body so when they register with APRA they are paid direct.”
“Seriously we have to protect our artist- if one copies the songs used without their permission they are getting free airplay.”
“Even night clubs are supposed to send playlists to the body established on the number of songs played on the night to pay them accordingly.”
Finally, in a call to fans planning to attend the 11th awards- the countdown maestro assured them of a show even bigger and better, to tick off the start of another decade in recognizing the best of the best in PNGmusic. Adding that show will go on as the legend in JK intended it to do so.
“This is year is a special night for all fans of PNG music- you miss out on the night, you will miss out big time. You must come out to see a great show with a special tribute on behalf of PNGFM to music Guru JK.”
And quiet nicely said for a celebration of PNG Music and those that have cherish it all their lives- Long shall live the legend of JK through the YumiFM PNG Music Awards in 2015.
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