Tomorrow People (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

Early years

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart position
		NZ [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

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

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

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

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. "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. "Warner Music NZ - A huge congratulations to Tomorrow... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
6. "One.5 by Tomorrow People on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
7. "Bass & Bassinets by Tomorrow People on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
8. "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. 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. "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. "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. "Waiata Māori Music Awards". Waiata Māori Music Awards. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
35. "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. "Kings, Tomorrow People and SWIDT among winners at the 2019 Pacific Music Awards". RNZ . 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-06-03.