Renowned Fijian-born artist Paulini Curuenavuli recently debuted her first Fijian single as a heartfelt tribute to her late father, who passed away from prostate cancer four years ago. The single was released in conjunction with Father’s Day, a significant occasion in Fiji.
With a two-decade-long career in the local music scene, Paulini, who was born in Suva and later moved to West Sydney, gained fame in 2003 as a contestant on the inaugural season of Australian Idol. She expressed her early passion for music, which was nurtured by her parents’ support for her involvement in church choir activities.
Reflecting on the release of her debut single, Paulini acknowledged the strange feeling of releasing a Fijian song after her lengthy career in Australia. The inspiration for her single, titled “Tamaqu,” began in 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic and her father’s passing. After restrictions lifted, she collaborated with Vude Prince, Savuto Vakadewavosa, and flew back to Fiji, where they finalized the song during their descent.
Paulini emphasized her desire for the song to capture an authentic Fijian style, which led to it being recorded and mixed in a local studio. She expressed her hope that the Fijian audience would connect with her music and shared her excitement about the release.
During her time in Fiji, Paulini spent nearly two weeks in the studio, ultimately creating additional songs that may form an EP in the future. Collaborating with fellow Fijians Savuto and Laisa Vulakoro, Paulini appreciated the opportunity to learn about local culture and traditional instruments, enhancing the authenticity of her music.
Tamaqu serves as a poignant tribute to her father, allowing Paulini to express her love and gratitude while inviting the audience to relate to her experiences. She acknowledged overcoming challenges in interpreting the lyrics in iTaukei and encouraged local artists to embrace opportunities and stay true to their creative visions.
Despite her success, Paulini remains humble, emphasizing that passion for music should outweigh the pursuit of fame, which can come with significant downsides, including loss of privacy.
Savuto expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with Paulini, highlighting her inspirational presence and the honor of working alongside her on this project, which enhances the authenticity of Fijian music. Tamaqu is now accessible on all platforms.