Afatia Thompson
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[edit] Biography
Far beyond the lure of palm trees, lazy days and golden sunsets, a magnetic new sound is sweeping across Hawaii and the South Pacific bound to take the music scene by storm from coast to coast.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Afatia Thompson debuts his first solo album simply titled Afatia 5:54. The time referencing the emergence of a truly unique flava that satisfies the listening palate with a fresh, smooth taste. Urban R&B/Soul sounds mixed with a hint of Polynesian roots assembles this album like no other.
Being a young man of mixed Polynesian ancestry, song and dance was much more than mere performance, but rather a culturally rooted way of life. There was no "career start" to speak of since singing and dancing was a responsibility to be shouldered with integrity and perfection that reflected one's family, culture and village or community. Because singing and dancing begins at a very young age for most Polynesians, it was and still is for Afatia far deeper than what he does, but genuinely, who he is. Like so many artists the foundation of his singing also blossomed in the church directing and inspiring worship and acknowledging the divine source of his talent.
However, as the son of local entertainment icons Jack Tihati and Cha Thompson of Tihati Productions, Afatia became versed in both cultural music and entertaining and eventually found himself creating a new niche of music which incorporates his love of R&B and Polynesian sound. Being the heir to the largest, longest running entertainment company in the state of Hawaii, his lifetime exposure to song and dance has produced one of Hawaii's hottest rising young stars whose unique background has helped to shape a mind blowing multi-dimensional artist. As a singer, performer Afatia has taken Tihati productions soaring to new heights, performing world class productions throughout the nation and across the globe including performances in Japan, the South Pacific, and across the mainland US.
As a graduate of Punahou High School and the University of Hawaii, Afatia continues to use his music and education in a western world to make a mark for the Polynesian people who are sometimes noted only for athletics or their islands' places of attraction.
The 2000 release of the group Reign with Afatia as the lead singer in a five man group left audiences across the state wanting more and served as a sign that the market was ready for a new groove. Unable to fit within existing categories of music on the scene, Afatia continues to strive for a sound uniquely his own blending the soul and cultural character that inspired 5:54.
Tracks from the album like "All I Got" featuring Cross'd_Out, "All Night Long" and "Paradise" featuring RSL all have a bangin' hip-hop beat with a little urban island flavor. The melodies are soulful and meaningful to the artist. "I'm not trying to be anyone but me and represent not just myself but Polynesia as a whole." Explains Afatia. "This being my first solo album, I wanted to make my mark as an artist and define who I am and prove that I am in fact a real artist and not just someone who was manufactured by some record label or a management team." He goes on to explain that, another main goal behind this album is for the music to be appealing to a much broader mainstream market across the Pacific, while at the same time not abandoning who he is as a contemporary urban Polynesian. "We were able to incorporate a cool mix and fusion of undertones as well as traditional instruments to give it a subtle Polynesian vibe. I fee that we were subtle enough to make it different, but not overpowering."
With 5:54, Afatia delves into the sophisticated world of R&Boul and forgoes the usual island sound made popular by the Jawaian movement to explore a realm outside of your normal island artist. Afatia adopts a husky D'angelo-type intonation on "Down For Life" before switching to a velvety smooth influence reminiscent of Brian Mcknight on the track "So Many Things" which would touch everyone who may have lost a loved one in their own life.
He touches on the subject of love and infidelity on "Underground" and "So Fly, So High" and does an amazing rendition of "Love Won't Let me Wait" in a tribute to the late great Luther Vandross.
Although his genre reflects proper due respect to the colossal R&Boul artists on the music scene today, his own unique style and legitimate talent and artistry cannot be denied. Afatia is on the brink of a career that is bound to soar to amazing new heights. This authentic child of Paradise is the whole package. His music like his fine looks is sophisticated, yet native, innovative, yet traditional, bold yet gentle, and his time is now. Ready or not, breaking through the music scene with an unprecedented sound. It's time for Afatia 5:54.
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