Vanuatu’s vibrant hip hop scene has received a significant boost with local artist Mantis (Ethan-Xavier Hakwa) taking out the top honour in ABC Radio Australia‘s prestigious Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break 2025 competition. His powerful track, “Weatherman,” captivated judges and resonated deeply, earning him the title against a diverse field of hundreds of original songs from 18 Pacific nations, marking a significant win for this Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break. This victory for the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break highlights the growing influence of island music.
The Pacific Break: A Platform for Island Voices and the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break
Now in its ninth edition, Pacific Break, organized by ABC Pacific, serves as the region’s largest music competition, dedicated to discovering and showcasing original, unsigned talent. The contest, which returned in 2022 after a hiatus, has a rich history dating back to 2008, providing a crucial platform for artists across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. This year’s competition, which saw submissions close in August 2025, culminated in the announcement of Mantis as the winner on October 16th, during ABC Radio Australia’s morning program, Nesia Daily, highlighting the importance of the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break. The Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break is a key event for island music.
The judging panel for Pacific Break 2025 comprised esteemed figures in the music industry, including Australian-based Fijian artist and label head Joji Malani, Papua New Guinea-born Australian singer Ngaiire, WOMADelaide Associate Director Annette Tripodi, and ABC Radio Australia presenters Hau Lātūkefu and Sosefina Fuamoli. Their collective expertise was tasked with identifying a track that not only showcased musical talent but also carried a compelling narrative, a key aspect of the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break.
Mantis: A Multilingual Lyricist Rooted in Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break
Mantis, an artist of Tongan and Papua New Guinean heritage who was born and raised in Vanuatu, brings a unique linguistic and cultural blend to his music. He raps fluently in Bislama, French, and English, reflecting the diverse linguistic tapestry of the Pacific. His artistic journey began in 2014, initially with the rap group Confliction, and he later released his album “Personal Therapy” while studying in New Zealand. Upon returning to Vanuatu in 2022, he co-established Kelem Productions, a music production business, aiming to foster the local music industry and further the reach of Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break artists. The success of the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break is a testament to his dedication. The Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break has propelled him forward.
His Vanuatu hip hop sound is heavily influenced by legends like Kendrick Lamar and the classic beats of U.S. West Coast hip-hop, but he artfully integrates these inspirations into narratives that are distinctly Pacific, a hallmark of the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break. This unique approach makes him a standout Mantis artist. The Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break has showcased his unique talents.
“Weatherman”: A Climate Change Song for a Changing World and the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break
The winning song, “Weatherman,” produced by fellow Vanuatu artists Vanboii and Wilz, directly addresses the critical issue of extreme weather conditions plaguing Vanuatu and the wider Pacific region. The track is a testament to Mantis’s skill as a storyteller, using his lyrical prowess and dynamic flow to paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced by island communities due to climate change. Judges praised the song for its “striking track that highlights his dynamism and pure skills as a lyricist and performer,” and for speaking to “real life Pasifika situations in a modern context,” making it a standout entry in the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break. This climate change song resonated deeply. The Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break celebrated this important message.
A Stepping Stone for Vanuatu’s Music Scene and the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break
Mantis’s victory marks the second time a ni-Vanuatu artist has claimed the Pacific Break title, the first being reggae group 26 Roots in 2008 with their song “Broken Promises.” This achievement is seen as a significant milestone for Vanuatu’s burgeoning music scene, particularly for its hip hop and rap artists. Mantis expressed his hope that his win will serve as “a stepping stone in developing our music scene here and the industry,” highlighting the ambition to elevate local music and artists onto a larger stage, a goal strongly supported by the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break. The Vanuatu hip hop scene is undoubtedly energized by this win. The Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break is a vital platform.
The competition’s scope, involving hundreds of songs from 18 nations, underscores the rich and diverse island music talent present across the Pacific. Mantis’s success is a powerful endorsement of the region’s creative output and its capacity to produce globally relevant music, a testament to the impact of the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break. This Pacific music competition truly highlights the depth of talent.
The Road to WOMADelaide and Beyond with Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break
As the winner of Pacific Break 2025, Mantis has earned an all-expenses-paid trip to perform at WOMADelaide in March 2026. WOMADelaide is renowned as Australia’s largest international festival of music, arts, and dance, offering a premier international platform for artists. This opportunity promises to expose Mantis and his potent “Weatherman” track to a wider, international audience, further solidifying his position as a significant voice from the Pacific, a direct benefit of his Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break win. His performance at the festival is anticipated to showcase his “style and rhythm” and his role as a “champion of ni-Vanuatu storytelling,” amplified by the recognition from the Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break. The Vanuatu Mantis Pacific Break has opened doors for him.
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