Paula Fuga

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Paula Fuga
Born1978 (age 45–46)
Waimanalo, Hawaii
Genres
Years active2003–present
Websitepaulafugahawaii.com

Paula Hiltrudis Fuga is a Hawaiian singer-songwriter who was born in Waimānalo, Hawaii.[1] She has worked and performed with many artists on projects such as Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Ziggy Marley, and Damian Marley.

Early life[edit]

Fuga was born and raised in Waimānalo on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 1978.[1][2] As a child, she was orphaned and taken in by her grandparents, and found a passion for music as a young child. She unsuccessfully auditioned for American Idol in 2003,[3][4] and shortly after joined a reggae band named Dubkonscious.[5]

Career[edit]

2005–2007: Debut album and breakthrough[edit]

In 2005, Fuga was signed to PakiPika Productions and released her debut studio album Lilikoi a year later.[6] In 2007, she won a Na Hoku Hanohano Award for "Most Promising Artist of the Year" for Lilikoi.[7] This then led to her gaining national attention, and other prominent Hawaiian artists to take notice.[8]

2008–2017: Touring, Kokua Fest and Misery's End[edit]

In 2008, Jack Johnson invited Fuga to perform at select dates of his Sleep Through the Static Tour. During the tour, the two would frequently perform a new song titled "Country Road", which would later appear on Jack's En Concert album, and a studio version on Misery's End. After Johnson and Fuga performed in Los Angeles, the Daily Bruin newspaper called the performance of "Country Road" the highlight of the night.[9] Fuga also performed at Kokua Fest that year as a part of Johnson's tour, and it was the second time that she participated in the event.[10] In 2010, Fuga was also asked to feature on Johnson's album To the Sea, where she sang vocals on the tracks "When I Look Up", "Turn Your Love", and was featured on a live version of "Better Together".[11] Fuga also performed at select dates of Jack Johnson's World Tour 2010.

In July 2010, Paula Fuga released an EP titled Misery's End, featuring collaborations from Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, and Adam Topol.[12] The album also included "Country Road", and a recording of "High Tide or Low Tide". In 2012, Paula was featured on four tracks in the Best of Kokua Festival album.[13][14] During this period Paula was also featured on many of Brushfire Records This Warm December albums, and featured on a song titled "Farewell" with Jack Johnson, Manuel García, and Silvia Tōmas.[15] The song was featured in the documentary El Mar, Mi Alma.[16]

2018–present[edit]

Fuga opened for Jack Johnson in Koloa, Hawaii on his All the Light Above It Too World Tour along with Makana and Donavon Frankenreiter.[17] In April 2020, she performed several songs at the 2020 Kokua Festival - Live From Home. In November 2020, she partnered with IHeartRadio and Island 98.5 Radio to end hunger, and raise money for the Hawaii Foodbank.[18] At this show, one of the DJ's mocked her, and was suspended for shaming Fuga.[19] On November 6, 2020, she released a song titled "Christmas Lu'au".[20]

In February 2021, Fuga announced on Instagram that she had been signed to Jack Johnson's record label Brushfire Records.[21] On April 16, she released "If Ever" featuring Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, which serve the lead single to her album Rain on Sunday.[22][23]

Discography[edit]

Albums

Title Details
Lilikoi
Rain on Sunday
  • Released: June 25, 2021
  • Label: Brushfire
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download

EPs

Title Details Chart
US

Reggae

[24]

Misery's End 10

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US

AAA

[25]

US World

[26]

NZ
Hot
[27]
"Lilikoi" 2006 — — — Lilikoi
"Beautiful Face" — 12 —
"Country Road" 2008 — — — Misery's End
"Christmas Lu'au" 2020 — — — Non-album single
"If Ever"
(with Jack Johnson featuring Ben Harper) 		2021 24 — 40 Rain on Sunday
"Hōkūleʻa Star Of Gladness" — — —

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Paula Fuga - Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Tuesday Artist Spotlight: Paula Fuga | CEG Presents Music News". news.cegpresents.com. August 15, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Alders, Jay (March 22, 2019). "Paula Fuga: Made From The Stars - 027 - Shifting Perceptions Podcast". The Art of Jay Alders. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "Paula Fuga / Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox". PBS Hawai‘i. September 15, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "Paula Fuga". ukulelehunt.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Lilikoi by Paula Fuga, retrieved April 18, 2021
  7. ^ "Paula Fuga | Pasifika Artists". Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "Paula Fuga Tour Dates and Concert Tickets". JamBase. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  9. ^ "Weekend Review: Sleep Through the Static Tour". Daily Bruin. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  10. ^ "Kōkua Festival 2020 - Live From Home - Jack Johnson and Friends - Saturday, April 25th". Kokua Festival 2020 - Live from Home. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  11. ^ Jack Johnson – To The Sea (2010, CD), retrieved April 18, 2021
  12. ^ Paula Fuga – Misery's End (2010, Cardboard Slipcase, CD), retrieved April 18, 2021
  13. ^ "Jack Johnson & Friends* - Best of Kokua Festival". Discogs. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  14. ^ Jack Johnson & Friends - Best of Kokua Festival (A Benefit for the Kokua Hawaii Foundation) by Jack Johnson, retrieved April 18, 2021
  15. ^ Farewell (From "El Mar, Mi Alma") - Single by Manuel Garcia, Silvia Tómas, Jack Johnson & Paula Fuga on iTunes, retrieved April 18, 2021
  16. ^ "El Mar, Mi Alma". El Mar, Mi Alma. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "Upcoming shows". jackjohnsonmusic.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Schaefers, Allison (November 16, 2020). "iHeartRadio partners with Paula Fuga on campaign to end hunger, cuts 2 DJs who mocked her from morning crew". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "Radio DJs suspended after shaming Paula Fuga for experiences while homeless". www.kitv.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  20. ^ Christmas Lu'au - Single by Paula Fuga & Kimié Miner, retrieved April 18, 2021
  21. ^ "Paula Fuga Instagram Live Feb. 7th". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
  22. ^ If Ever - Single by Paula Fuga, Jack Johnson & Ben Harper, retrieved April 18, 2021
  23. ^ "Paula Fuga". Paula Fuga. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  24. ^ "Paula Fuga". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  25. ^ "Paula Fuga". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Paula Fuga". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  27. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
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