Fiji’s top singer and songwriter, Kuki will be releasing his first solo album ‘Noqu Vanua’ which he says is a lament for Fiji; for unity amongst the people as well as those who lead; for our loved ones and even those we have lost, for a brighter future and a brighter Fiji.
Kuki, who is the lead singer for the band Inside Out, held an Extended Play Listening Party at the Damodar City Cinelounge last night where many were moved by his original songs.
The album has five songs which is made up of two covers and three originals and was recorded in Auckland, New Zealand in collaboration with Canaan Ene in April this year.
He says most of the songs were written last year while the covers are just part of the list of songs that he has always wanted to make a rendition of.
Kuki says the song ‘Maqu’ is about his father’s passing and also a tribute to all the fathers.
He says something so simple like saying ‘I love you’ is not normalized in the iTaukei culture.
The artist says that he has tried to normalize it with his sons.
The other two songs ‘Siwati Au’ was written this year while the song the EP is named after - ‘Noqu Vanua’ was written in China last year.
He says the song melody came to him in a dream one night, the phrase ‘Noqu Vanua’ came to heart, and he woke up humming the song.
When asked by fijivillage News about his feelings after finally listening to the finished product, Kuki says he has listened to the tracks everyday and it has renewed him.
FIPRA Chairman Eremasi Tamanisau who was also at the listening party says it was most enjoyable and will set a new exciting trend with young composers and the themes of their music.
Tamanisau says the Government has got a role to play and that is to update the Copyright Act of 1999.
He says since 2006, they have been asking the Government to incorporate the World Intellectual Property Organisation Copyright Treaty and also the World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Tamanisau says if these are incorporated into the Copyright Act of 1999, only then will the Fijian works over the internet will be protected.
Kuki says he will play four out of the five songs live next Friday at the FM96 Birthday Bash at Fiji Showcase.
The album drops tomorrow and will be available on all online platforms.
