Josh Tatofi was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father, established local musician Tivaini Tatofi, is an original member of the acclaimed reggae band Kapena. As a child, music for Josh was inescapable. By the age of thirteen, Josh had begun performing throughout the Hawaiian Islands, establishing himself as a respected vocalist while gaining the recognition of his audiences and his peers. By the age of nineteen, Josh recorded an album with the wildly popular Maui band ʻEkolu. Spawn to the Kapena sound, Joshʻs early career resembled that of a reggae-lover, consisting of upbeat melodies, catchy hooks and local collaborations.
In 2017, Tatofi won two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for the categories of Male Vocalist of the Year and Island Music Album of the Year for “Pua Kiele.” He earned a GRAMMY® nomination in 2018 for the same album in the category of Regional Roots.
Josh released his sophomore full-length Hawaiian album, entitled “Ua Kui A Lawa” in December of 2019. The album ended up winning five Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2020 for the categories: Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Island Music Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Single of the Year “Melia.” In addition to the Nā Hōkū Awards, Josh won “Best International Pacific Artist” in 2020 at the Pacific Music Awards in New Zealand.
