Being recognized through the Music and Dance category in the Prime Minister Youth Awards has boosted the confidence of artists and entrepreneurs in Fiji.
Being a full-time musician for over 10 years, Apakuki Nalawa said such award was a first for the music and dance industries.
He was grateful that music and dance was featured as an award category as the two industries have never been seen as real careers in previous years.
“I’ve always been a believer that our music industry has world class talent, not a doubt in my mind,” he said.
“We have such amazing, naturally talented artists in the country, such award is not only encouraging for us as artists, but for business owners that provide employment to artists, they see the shift in the entertainment industry, becoming more professional.
“It’s now up to the artists to carry on the work in steering our “Drua” in the right direction so that we’re not only being recognized but being able to make a comfortable living out of music and dance.”
InsideOut
Nine years ago, the musician had teamed up with his fellow school mates to form InsideOut.
The band name derives from their passion for music as self-taught musicians with no previous knowledge of the Fiji music scene.
InsideOut won “Best English Song” for its track “Sweet Talking” at the annual Fijian Performing Rights Association Music Awards in 2015.
From Drauniivi Village, Vatukaloko, Ra, Mr Nalawa never saw himself as a musician.
Journey
His dream career was to become an engineer either civil or aircraft.
He resorted to music as a means to make up for what he lacked in education.
“I’m a form four school dropout, due to an unknown rare illness that had me partially paralyzed from the hip down,” he said.
“I joined a church after and was drawn to the worship team, so I taught myself music. I felt that music was my voice, my escape and the answer to all my suffering.”
Being a musician and running a band was no easy journey for Mr Nalawa.
He said the constant checks on the financial and business side of things can have an impact on your mental state.
“There’s business, social and domestic issues you have to take on with you to your performance and with all that you’re expected to stand in front of a crowd, put on a smile and put on a show with the aim to please patrons and create memorable moments,” he said.
With the award recognition, Mr Nalawa adds that Fiji’s entertainment industry will be up there in the not-so-distant future.