Tha Feelstyle

Tha Feelstyle
Birth nameKas Futialo
BornSamoa
OriginAuckland, New Zealand
GenresHip hop
Years active1987–present
LabelsFestival Mushroom Records
Websitewww.facebook.com/pages/THA-FEELSTYLE/118823123469

Kas Futialo, known by the stage name Tha Feelstyle, is a New Zealand hip hop artist of Samoan descent. His first album was Break It To Pieces in 2004. Tha Feelstyle was born in Samoa and moved to New Zealand in the 1980s. He raps in English as well as the Samoan language.[1]

History

Tha Feelstyle entered his first rap competition in 1987 and under the name of RIQ was part of the Wellington hip hop duo Rough Opinion with Samoan rapper K.O.S.[2] In the 1990s, he was a member of The Overstayers which included King Kapisi and DJ Raw (aka Ian Seumanu). He has also worked with Andy Morton (aka The Submariner) an experienced producer in Auckland who has worked with various New Zealand artists including King Kapisi and Che Fu. The music video for Tha Feelystyle's award-winning single Suamalie/Ain't Mad at You was filmed in Samoa and directed by New Zealand filmmaker Chris Graham, the director of feature film Sione's Wedding.[3] The track also featured in the movie. In 2009, Tha Feelstyle toured New Zealand with King Kapisi.[4] In 2008, Tha Feelstyle released the Samoan-language album Lokokasi. In March 2011, he released his third album Good Morning Samoa, at the Pasifika Festival. Good Morning Samoa was nominated for three awards at the 2012 Pacific Music Awards - for Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Language album, and Best Pacific Music Album.[5]

Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005 Tha Feelstyle - Break It To Pieces Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Male Artist Won[6]
2005 Tha Feelstyle - Break It To Pieces Pacific Music Awards - Best Pacific Urban Artist Won[6]
2005 Kas Futialo and Ian Seumanu - "Su'amalie" Pacific Music Awards - APRA Best Pacific Song Won[6]
2005 Kas Futialo, Andy Morton, Grant Osborne & Andrew B. White - Break It To Pieces (Tha Feelstyle) New Zealand Music Awards - Best Album Cover Won[7]
2005 Tha Feelstyle – Break It To Pieces New Zealand Music Awards - Breakthrough Artist of the Year Nominated[7]
2005 Tha Feelstyle – Break It To Pieces New Zealand Music Awards - Best Urban/Hip Hop Album Nominated[7]
2012 Kas Futialo (aka Tha Feelstyle), Good Morning Samoa New Zealand Music Awards - Best Pacific Music Album Won[8]

References

  1. ^ Shute, Gareth. "Feelstyle: Feeling Tha Style". NZ Musician. No. October/November 2004. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Tha Feelstyle". music.net.nz. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Chris Graham". NZ Onscreen. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. ^ "King Kapisi". King Kapisi. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Pacific Music Awards finalists announced". New Zealand Herald. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "2005 Pacific Music Awards". Pacific Music Awards. Pacific Music Awards. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "2005 Winners". NZ Music Awards. Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  8. ^ "2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards Winners Announced". NZ Music Awards. Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.