This Friday, 30 January, several artists with deep Island roots are set to release highly anticipated new music, offering fans a blend of heartfelt lyrics, island rhythms, and meditative sounds. Here is a closer look at the artists and their upcoming releases:
Iam Tongi
“American Idol” winner Iam Tongi, who grew up in Kahuku, has announced his latest single, “Eyes for You”, which will drop this Friday. The song’s video, shared on social media earlier today, features his fiancée, following the couple’s engagement announcement on Instagram in late December.
Speaking recently with Aloha State Daily, Tongi shared insights into his musical inspiration, advice he received from a beloved aunt, and reflections on his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry. The singer and songwriter, who has North Shore roots, currently enjoys more than 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. In May 2025, he performed “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” alongside the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus for Disney’s live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch.
Jake Shimabukuro
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro will release his new album, “Calm Seas”, also this Friday. Describing the project on Instagram, Shimabukuro stated:
“This project was an eye-opening, healing journey for me. It rekindled my relationship with nature. Each track features meditative soundscapes intertwined with the ukulele, all recorded in Hawai’i. Slow down, reflect, and let nature guide the pacing of your life.”
Shimabukuro first rose to international fame after his ukulele rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral on YouTube, propelling his touring career. Today, he is regarded as one of the finest ukulele players worldwide, with over 660,000 monthly Spotify listeners.
Kanaka Fyah
Emerging reggae band Kanaka Fyah has announced its latest track, “Morning Sun”, a collaboration with BraddaHoodz, also releasing on Friday. The band gained recognition with their hit single “Only Jah Jah Knows”, which songwriter Randin Napeahi penned while driving along Saddle Road after a gig on Hawai’i Island. The song, initially captured as a voice memo on Napeahi’s phone, has amassed over 14.7 million streams on Spotify.
Currently, Kanaka Fyah has 445,000 monthly Spotify listeners. They are also known for “The Underground is Here”, which has been streamed more than 1.5 million times.
| Artist | New Release | Release Date | Monthly Spotify Listeners | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iam Tongi | Eyes for You | 30 Jan 2026 | 1,500,000+ | Performed at Grand Ole Opry; Lilo & Stitch feature |
| Jake Shimabukuro | Calm Seas (Album) | 30 Jan 2026 | 660,000+ | Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner; viral ukulele cover |
| Kanaka Fyah | Morning Sun | 30 Jan 2026 | 445,000+ | Collaboration with BraddaHoodz; Only Jah Jah Knows 14.7M+ streams |
This week’s releases highlight the diversity and talent of Island musicians, offering fans a mix of heartfelt storytelling, rhythmic reggae, and reflective acoustic compositions.