One of Papua New Guinea’s legendary musicians, the “King of Tolai Rock” Leonard Kania has announced that he will put down the mic, calling it a day on his musical career after more than thirty (30) years, but not without a final performance first.
Kania who hails from East new Britain province, has been singing as early as in the 1990s, and has now announced his retirement with a final Extended Play (EP) Album launching in which he will be performing in four provinces covered under each region.
Famous for his tolai rock hits, he will be doing his first performance of the album launching tonight at the Cosmopolitan Club at Vision City in Port Moresby city alongside his brother Uralom Kania and backed up by Alfie Tukal who is a member of the Raiwat Band, as well as the 4th City band of Kokopo.
The EP Album called ‘Han Buruk’ will feature a total of six songs including Han Buruk which is currently on the YUMI FM Top 20 Countdown, Highway Cruz, Easy Ra North, Lost in Suspense, How Bami Les and Taken.
Apart from his EP Album launching, Kania also share his music journey throughout the years despite having to finally leave this career behind.
He shared with PNG HAUSBUNG the journey he travelled through and the breakthrough that gave him fame in the music space. ‘Kas Out’ was a hit song of his in which made him known and was a big hit in the market.
“Kas Out was the song that was a big hit for me, and it was from that song I bought my first house for me and my family.”
“It was from I gained fans and gained fame as well.”
“It is sad to leave but everything comes to an end and so this is me leaving but I am happy that I have accomplished something big in my life throughout the years.”
In addition, Kania also told his fans that though he will not be singing anymore, the name ‘Kania’ will still travel through the music industry and that is his brother Uralom Kania, as well as sons Sailas, Gabby and Pattu Kania.
Kania also stated that now with his announcement in retiring, he will now pass on his trademark to his brother, Uralom who will hold onto that trademark and can decide who wants to pass it on in the future.
Moreover, he also encouraged not only his family who are music artists, but also other current and upcoming music artists in PNG to be passionate and look after their music career.
“Your career to sing and to be a music artist is also your bread and butter so make sure you must look after it for the good of you and your family.”
“Learn to use your money well, because it will be for the long run. This is a blessing!”
Furthermore, after the first performance in Port Moresby is followed by the second performance at Club McKenzie in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province which will be next week Friday the 25th of July followed by the third performance in Club 99 in Lae, Morobe province on the 1st of August and the last on the 8th of August at Gazelle International (GI) hotel in Kokopo in East New Britain province.