Tomorrow People (band)

New Zealand reggae band

Tomorrow People

Origin| Wellington, New Zealand
Genres| Reggae
Years active| 2010–present
Labels| Quaver Entertainment (Independent) Previously Illegal Musik / Warner Music
Members| Avina Kelekolio (percussion, vocals)

Tana Tupai (lead keys, BVs)
Fredwyn Kisona (lead vocals)
Te Aranga Savage (lead vocals)
Duane Te Whetu (drums)
Hennie Tui (bass)

Snow Chase (vocals, guitar)
Past members| Liam Va'ai

Lio Fili
Kenape Saupese
Hamo Dell
Daniel Sugrue
Elia Feterika
Analote Faletolu
La'i Lepou
Aaron Davey
Marcus Abraham
Luke Whaanga
Johanna Beazley
Sianne Dougherty
Aroha Owens
Greer Samuel
Kahui Toby

Kevin Malagamali'i
Website| http://www.tomorrowpeople.co.nz

Tomorrow People is a seven-piece New Zealand reggae band that formed in 2010. Their debut album One[1] was released on 1 June 2012 under Illegal Musik / Warner Music[2] and debuted at Number One on the New Zealand charts.[3] It was later certified Gold.[4][5] They have also released an EP called One.5 [6] in 2014, and a full-length album called Bass & Bassinets[7][8] in 2015. Their EP "BBQ" Reggae[9] was released in January 2018 and debuted at number one in New Zealand.

## History

[edit]

### Early years

[edit]

Tomorrow People began as a studio project in 2010 between four friends who were in a previous band together. Avina Kelekolio (production, toasting), Lio Fili (bass, production), Tana Tupai (keys) and Liam Va'ai (vocals) all played together in the covers band Terakey, and in their spare time they recorded some songs at Avina's home studio setup in Wellington. Once they had a handful of original songs, the group uploaded their music to YouTube.[10] The social media public had a listen to "One More Time",[11] "Jammin" [12] and "Sundown Girl"[13] and it was not long before they were asked if they could play some live shows.

As they did not have a live band at the time, Elia Feterika (drums), Analote Faletolu (vocals), Aaron Davey (guitar) and La'i Lepou (keys) were recruited to make up the original line up of Tomorrow People. Their first show was an opening slot for New Zealand roots reggae band Three Houses Down in Masterton.[14]

### 2012: ONE

[edit]

The band's debut album was entirely written by the original four members.[15] Avina Kelekolio did the overall production while the others contributed ideas in Avina's home studio. Mixing and mastering was all done in-house. The first single to be released was "Feel Alright" featuring Hawaiian band Kolohe Kai and although it was a collaboration, the song was done entirely via sending files and ideas back and forth between New Zealand and Hawaii. The song was one of the first reggae songs to be played on urban radio in New Zealand.[citation needed] A trend which continues to this day. 10 songs from this album were released to radio between 2010 and 2012.

Before the release of the album, original member Liam Va'ai had left the band to focus on other things. Despite being co-credited with majority of the album, he does not appear in any of the band's music videos.

The album ONE stayed in the New Zealand music charts for a span of 52 weeks. It was certified Gold,[5] won a Waiata Music Award [16] and a nomination for Pacific Album of the Year VPMA, and Best Roots Album and the NZVMA. End of year official charts placed the album at #9 [17] across all genres.

### 2013: ONE.5

[edit]

In 2013, Tomorrow People released an 8-track EP titled ONE.5.[18] This was to be an extension of the original "ONE" album. With new members on board, they varied their style and incorporated elements of R&B and pop into some of their songs. Hennie Tui contributed his R&B style which can be heard on the songs "So Far" and "All I Wanna Do". The first song to be released was "So Far" and it gave a new direction to the band. The EP also gave spotlight to new vocalists Kenape Saupese (Kensau), Luke Whaanga and Johanna Tepania.

### 2015: Bass & Bassinets

[edit]

Bass & Bassinets[8][19] represented a new start and refresh of the band. With only three members remaining from the ONE album, the band varied their approach to songwriting. With new members Hamo Dell, Daniel Sugrue and Marcus Abraham on board, there was a range of different styles being brought to the table. Avina Kelekolio took on the task of production while Tana Tupai was the executive producer with focus on the overall sound. As the band wanted to collaborate more with other musicians, they enlisted the skills of Sammy Johnson, Sons of Zion, Francis Kora, Paua, Lion Rezz, Papa Pablo and The Prxfile for songwriting and collaborations.

### 2018: "BBQ" Reggae

[edit]

In late 2017, Tomorrow People decided to release their 4th offering exclusively at New Zealand's biggest reggae festival 'One Love'.[20] Consisting of 6 originals and 2 language songs, the EP climbed quickly to No.1 [21] on the NZ Official Top 40 charts. From there, the EP gave the band a Waiata Music Award, five Vodafone Pacific Music Awards, a New Zealand Music 'Tui' and a nomination for Best Roots Artist at the 2018 VNZMA. The effort also earned co-managers Tana Tupai and Avina Kelekolio an MMF Music Managers award for Best Self-Managed Artist.[22] Featuring on the EP is Jamaican artist Conkarah.[23]

### 2021: 21

[edit]

In December 2021, Tomorrow People released their third full-length album consisting of 16 tracks. They released these songs throughout the year as part of their "First Fridays" campaign. This 'waterfall release' method was the first of its kind, and it allowed the band to effectively release 12 singles along with 1 album.

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums

[edit]

Title  | Album details  | Peak chart position

|
|

[3]
ONE |

* Released: 1 June 2012
* Label: Illegal / Warner
* Format: CD, digital download
* 13 tracks + 1 iTunes bonus track
* Certified Gold[5]

| 1
[24]
ONE.5 |

* Released: 22 November 2013
* Label: Illegal / Warner
* Format: CD, digital download
* 8 tracks

| 6
[25]
Bass & Bassinets |

* Released: 13 November 2015
* Label: Illegal / Warner
* Format: CD, digital download
* 13 tracks + 1 iTunes bonus track

| 1
[26]
BBQ Reggae |

* Released: 29 January 2018
* Format: CD, digital download
* 8 tracks

| 1
[21]

### Singles released

[edit]

Year  | Single  | Vocalist(s)  | Album

|
|
|

2010  | "Jammin"  | Liam Va'ai  | ONE[15]
"Sundown Girl"  | Liam Va'ai / Avina Kelekolio
2011  | "One More Time"  | Liam Va'ai / Avina Kelekolio
"Feel Alright" (featuring Kolohe Kai) | Liam Va'ai / Roman De Peralta
"Tonight"  | Liam Va'ai / Avina Kelekolio
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"  | Liam Va'ai / Greer Samuel  | Illegal Musik – For Christmas EP
2012  | "Better Place"  | Liam Va'ai / Avina Kelekolio  | ONE[15]
"Souljah Feeling" (featuring Chad Chambers) | Luke Whaanga / Chad Chambers
"Take It Away"  | Kenape Saupese
2013  | "Irie Music"  | Luke Whaanga
"Souljah Feeling" (House of Shem Remix)  | Luke Whaanga / Chad Chambers / Te Omeka Perkins  | Single only
"You Give Me Something" (Duet Remix)  | Johanna Tepania / Kenape Saupese / Avina Kelekolio  | ONE.5 EP[6]
"So Far"  | Kenape Saupese
2014  | "Fly Away" (featuring Tyna Keelan) | Kenape Saupese
"Given Up"  | Johanna Tepania / Avina Kelekolio
"Daydreamer"  | Luke Whaanga
"Again & Again"  | Kenape Saupese / Avina Kelekolio  | Bass & Bassinets[7]
2015  | "No Rush"  | Kenape Saupese / Avina Kelekolio
"No Rush" (Papa Pablo Remix)  | Kenape Saupese / Avina Kelekolio
"Get It Back"  | Hamo Dell
2016  | "Independent Girl"  | Kenape Saupese / Avina Kelekolio
"Train to Nowhere" (featuring Paua) | Marcus Abraham / Jay Whitmore
"Writing's On The Wall" (featuring Fran Kora) | Marcus Abraham / Francis Kora
"Chance Go By"  | Hamo Dell
2017  | "This Feeling" (featuring Sons of Zion) | Kenape Saupese / Sam Eriwata
"Even Though"  | Kenape Saupese
"Lock Me Up"  | Marcus Abraham / Kenape Saupese / Avina Kelekolio  | BBQ Reggae[27]
"Don't Wanna Fight It"  | Kenape Saupese / Marcus Abraham
2018  | "Don't Wanna Fight It" (Poly Reo Remix)  | Kenape Saupese / Marcus Abraham / Hamo Dell  | Single only
"No Good"  | Hamo Dell  | BBQ Reggae[27]
"Kua To Te Ra" (No Good - Te Reo)  | Hamo Dell  | Single only
2019  | "Where I Stand" (featuring Conkarah) | Kenape Saupese / Conkarah / Avina Kelekolio  | BBQ Reggae[27]
"Fever" (featuring Fiji) | Hamo Dell / George 'Fiji' Veikoso | Single only
2020  | "Fever" - The Island Remixes  | Hamo Dell / George 'Fiji' Veikoso / Wayno / Molo Try /

Eono / Jaro Local

| Fever - The Island Remixes EP
2021  | "Lose Track Of Time"  | Te Aranga Savage  | Single only - First Fridays
"Rere Te Wa"  | Te Aranga Savage  | Single only
"Just A Little Bit"  | Snow Chase / Avina Kelekolio  | Single only - First Fridays
"My Guy" (featuring Wayno) | Te Aranga Savage / Wayne La'ai  | Single only - First Fridays
"Show Me"  | Kenape Saupese  | Single only - First Fridays
"Don't Worry Baby"  | Te Aranga Savage  | Single only - First Fridays
"Say My Name"  | Fredwyn Kisona / Avina Kelekolio  | Single only - First Fridays
"Your Man"  | Fredwyn Kisona  | Single only - First Fridays
"Vows"  | Snow Chase  | Single only - First Fridays
"Rise Up"  | Snow Chase / Fredwyn Kisona  | Waiata Anthems Vol. 2
"Give It To Me" (featuring Fiji) | Te Aranga Savage / George 'Fiji' Veikoso | Single only - First Fridays
"Better Off Alone"  | Snow Chase  | 21
"Da da da da da"  | Te Aranga Savage  | 21
"See You One Day"  | Fredwyn Kisona  | 21
"Oku Ra"  | Snow Chase  | Single only
2022  | "Give In To Me - Remix"(featuring Rex Atirai & Fiji) | Te Aranga Savage / Rex Atirai / George 'Fiji' Veikoso | Single only
2023  | "Slow Up" (with Justin Wellington) | Justin Wellington  | Single only
"A Little Bit More"  | Fredwyn Kisona  | Single only
"Best Of My Love"  | Fredwyn Kisona  | Single only
"It's You" (with STNDRD & Canaan Ene)[28] | STNDRD / Fredwyn Kisona  | Single only
"Ki Raro" (with Rex Atirai)[29] | Rex Atirai / Avina Kelekolio  | Single only

### Featured appearances

[edit]

Release  | Album  | Artist  | Track

|
|
|

2013  | Universal Love  | Sons of Zion  | Superman
Aotearoa Reggae All Stars (single only)  | Various Artists  | Sensitive to a Smile
Be with You – Remix (single only)  | Deach  | Be with You
2014  | Raggamuffin VIII  | Various Artists  | Souljah Feeling
2015  | One Love: The Very Best of Aotearoa Reggae  | Various Artists  | Take It Away
2016  | One Love 2016  | Various Artists  | Again & Again
2018  | Love Her Mind (Single)  | Israel Starr  | Love Her Mind

## Awards

[edit]

Year  | Award  | Nominated work  | Category  | Result

|
|
|
|

2012  | Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "ONE"  | Best Roots Reggae Album  | Won [30]
New Zealand Music Awards  | "ONE"  | Best Roots Album  | Nominated [31]
2013  | Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "ONE"  | Best Pacific Group  | Won [32]
Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "ONE"  | Best Pacific Album  | Nominated
Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "Souljah Feeling (Remix)  | Best Music Video  | Nominated [33]
2014  | Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "ONE.5"  | Best Urban Roots Album  | Nominated [34]
Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "Daydreamer"  | Best Music Video  | Nominated [34]
Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "ONE.5"  | Best Pacific Group  | Nominated
2015  | Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "Again & Again"  | Best Pacific Group  | Nominated
2016  | Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "Bass & Bassinets"  | Best Pacific Group  | Nominated
Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "Bass & Bassinets"  | Best Producer  | Nominated
2017  | Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "Writings on the Wall"  | Best Pacific Group  | Nominated
New Zealand Music Awards  | "Lock Me Up"  | Best Roots Artist  | Nominated
2018  | Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "Lock Me Up"  | Best Pacific Group  | Won [35]
Vodafone Pacific Music Awards  | "Sa'ili Le Alofa"  | Best Language Song  | Won [35]
Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "BBQ Reggae"  | Best Roots Reggae  | Won [36]
New Zealand Music Awards  | "BBQ Reggae"  | Best Roots Artist  | Nominated [37]
2019  | Pacific Music Awards  | "BBQ Reggae"  | Best Roots Reggae Artist  | Won [38]
Pacific Music Awards  | "BBQ Reggae"  | Best Pacific Group  | Won [38]
Pacific Music Awards  | "BBQ Reggae"  | People's Choice  | Won [38]
New Zealand Music Awards  | "BBQ Reggae"  | Best Pacific Album  | Won [38]
2020  | Pacific Music Awards  | "Fever"  | Best Pacific Group  | Won
2021  | Aotearoa Music Awards  | First Fridays  | Best Roots Reggae Artist  | Nominated
2022  | Pacific Music Awards  | "21"  | Best Pacific Album  | Won
Pacific Music Awards  | "21"  | Best Pacific Group  | Nominated
Pacific Music Awards  | "21"  | Best Roots Reggae Artist  | Won
Pacific Music Awards  | "21"  | Best Producer  | Nominated
Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "21"  | Best Music Video  | Nominated
Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "21"  | Best Group  | Nominated
Waiata Maori Music Awards  | "21"  | Best Roots Reggae Album  | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "One by Tomorrow People on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on February 28, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
2. ^ "Warner Music New Zealand | Tomorrow People". www.warnermusic.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
3. ^ a b "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
4. ^ "Tomorrow People prepare for new tour". Māori Television. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
5. ^ a b c "Warner Music NZ - A huge congratulations to Tomorrow... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
6. ^ a b "One.5 by Tomorrow People on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
7. ^ a b "Bass & Bassinets by Tomorrow People on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
8. ^ a b "Tomorrow People stand on Lover's Rock". Stuff. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
9. ^ "Tomorrow People turned critic's comment into number one album". The New Zealand Herald. 2018-02-14. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
10. ^ "YouTube". Retrieved 2016-04-30.
11. ^ Sawaii Boy (2010-06-22), Tomorrow People - One More Time [NZ Reggae], retrieved 2016-04-30
12. ^ Sawaii Boy (2010-10-21), Tomorrow People - Jammin, retrieved 2016-04-30
13. ^ Sawaii Boy (2010-08-23), Tomorrow People - Sundown Girl [NZ Reggae], retrieved 2016-04-30
14. ^ Cardy, Tom (2012-06-07). "Tomorrow People a band with a future". Stuff. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
15. ^ a b c muzic.net.nz. "Tomorrow People - One Album Review - New Zealand Music Articles". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
16. ^ "Waiata Maori Music Awards". www.nzonair.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
17. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
18. ^ muzic.net.nz. "Tomorrow People - New Zealand Musicians & Bands". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
19. ^ muzic.net.nz. "Tomorrow People - New Zealand Musicians & Bands". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
20. ^ "Tomorrow People Set to Release New EP Exclusively at One Love Festival | Artist News | NZ Music Commission". www.nzmusic.org.nz. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
21. ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
22. ^ "2018". MMF NZ. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
23. ^ reggaeville. "Biography: Conkarah". www.reggaeville.com. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
24. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
25. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
26. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
27. ^ a b c "BBQ" Reggae by Tomorrow People on Apple Music, 2018-01-29, archived from the original on March 2, 2018, retrieved 2018-03-02
28. ^ "STNDRD ft. Tomorrow People, Canaan Ene - It's You — thecoconet.tv - The world's largest hub of Pacific Island content.uu". www.thecoconet.tv. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
29. ^ "Tomorrow People, Rex Atirai - Ki Raro — thecoconet.tv - The world's largest hub of Pacific Island content.uu". www.thecoconet.tv. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
30. ^ "Waiata Maori Music Awards winners revealed | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
31. ^ "Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | Best Roots Album 2012". www.nzmusicawards.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
32. ^ www.cactuslab.com, Cactuslab. "2013 Pacific Music Awards Finalists | Amplifier NZ Music". www.amplifier.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
33. ^ "Waiata Māori Music Awards". Waiata Māori Music Awards. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
34. ^ a b "Waiata Māori Music Awards". Waiata Māori Music Awards. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
35. ^ a b "Ladi6, Noah Slee and Kings among winners at the 2018 Pacific Music Awards". Radio New Zealand. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
36. ^ "2018 Waiata Māori Music Awards Winners - NZ Musician". nzmusician.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
37. ^ "Diverse line-up of finalists for the 2018 Vodafone NZ Music Awards | Recorded Music NZ ® - We Love Music". www.recordedmusic.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
38. ^ a b c d "Kings, Tomorrow People and SWIDT among winners at the 2019 Pacific Music Awards". RNZ. 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-06-03.

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

|