Nominations for The Justin Kili Awards are now open as of Monday the 8th of May 2023 for the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards 2023 that will take place on the 17th of June at the Gold Club Arena.
During this time all listeners can come forward to nominate music artists who have contributed greatly in the music industry.
Senior Radio Personality of YUMI FM, Turner Arifeae better known by his radio name Kasty, said that music artists nominated for this particular award can either be singers or producers who have made a name for themselves in the music industry and country.
“As we speak, many nominations are now coming through and we are happy that we have so far seen big name artists especially those who have started their music career as far back to the 70s.”
Kasty told PNGHAUSBUNG that this is a big initiative that they have come up with in recognition of the contributions that the ‘MUSIC GURU’ himself, the Late Justin Kili gave to music artists during his time as a broadcaster.
Over the years, during the time he was broadcasting, he has helped many music artists in the country.
“Although he has passed on, we still honour what he has done for the artists especially through The Weekly PNG Top 20 countdown (The National Weekly Hit Parade) he initiated where he hosted in other radio stations that he worked for previously until he joined PNGFM in 1997.”
“The Top 20 countdown was then introduced on our radio station where it was aired.”
“It was then in 2005 that we decided it’s time we do something for our local artists and that it was where the YUMI FM PNG MusiK Awards came to be.”
Three years later, YUMI FM then introduced a new category to the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards and named it the Justin Kili Awards.
Kasty shared the experience of when he first asked the late JK if a category were included in his name to recognize the local artists, where he says the late JK accepted and approved.
“The whole purpose of this YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards is to give thank you and appreciation to our local artists for having their songs air played on YUMI FM.”
“Nominations can be made on the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards Facebook Page or you can come over to the PNGFM office at Ahuia Street at Gordons to drop your nominations or call on 73738819 or 3257512.” Nominations will close on the 21st of this month at 11:59pm.