It’s on again, The Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards will take place tomorrow, Saturday, at the Lamana Gold Club.
This year marks 13 years of the event, in its efforts to recognise local and regional music artists.
Since its inception in 2005, the Music Awards has played a key role in amplifying work produced by artists, locally and across the region.
One of the founders of the event and Radio personality, Turner Arifeae, most popularly known on air as Kasty, said the lack of government support and no proper music industry in the country were key factors that prompted the introduction of the music awards.
Though it is an annual event, organisers are faced with many challenges. The most prevalent one being the struggle to bring in female participation.
Kasty noted that ‘lack of confidence’ is often the reason that holds female vocalists and performers back from gaining entry to the awards.
He said, there must be support to encourage up and coming artists to develop in the industry.
Kasty is now urging artists to affiliate with Australia Performing rights Association, or APRA, so their work can be recognised.
Yumi FM, Nau FM and Legend FM are currently the only three stations in the country that are registered under APRA, which means artists receive incentives every time their songs are played.
He also strongly discourages the sharing of music via mobile phone applications, such as Bluetooth and WhatsApp.
Kasty believes it is about time musicians get what their work is worth.
The sponsors include Keynote Music House, Goodman Fielders, Paradise Beverages, PNG Namba Wan Trophy Limited, SVS Mart, Lamana Gold Club and Lamana Hotel.
