As the YUMIFM PNG Musik Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary, past winners continue to revisit key milestones in PNG music.
For Zone 5 Crew, the Listeners’ Choice Award for their hit “Puppy Love,” remains one of their most memorable achievements.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Kelvin Sogoromo said the win was a proud moment for the band and their supporters across the country.
“It was a huge achievement for us as a band, having spent over a decade excelling in the PNG music industry both on and off air,” he said.
“It felt satisfying to be recognised by fans, families, friends and wantoks who voted for us.”
He said the song’s success showed the strong bond between the music and its listeners.
Songoromo said the song “Puppy Love” connected with audiences because of its simple storytelling and relatable theme that cuts across generations.
“It told a story that connected with almost everyone who experienced puppy love during their high school years.”
“The arrangement was simple, catchy and easy to sing along to.”
He admitted that the group did not anticipate the song would become a major hit at the time of recording.
“At the time, we had already stepped away from music and focused on our individual careers. It was more of a hobby project, like how we started back in 2010.”
The track later gained national attention after being played on YUMIFM, helping it reach a wider audience.
He said Zone 5 Crew’s music is inspired by everyday life and conversations within their communities, especially in East and West Sepik.
“We try to connect strongly with our fan base while making music that people across the country and the Pacific can relate to.”
He traced the group’s beginnings to informal recording sessions in Wewak during the 2010 Christmas holidays, when young artists were experimenting with music production software.
“What started as fun eventually grew when some tracks had leaked, and people began to enjoy them. That’s how our fan base slowly grew.”
Breakout releases like “Rangen,” helped establish their name in the PNG music scene.
Describing their sound, Sogoromo said Zone 5 Crew focuses on a simple blend of modern production and traditional Sepik disco influences, with lyrics that reflect local identity.
He also highlighted ongoing challenges in the industry, including copyright issues and limited financial returns for artists.
“Many of our songs were distributed without consent and remixed without permission.”
“Another challenge is that music alone rarely provides steady income, so most artists rely on live shows.”
Sogoromo said the group is currently not active full-time, as members are focused on their individual careers, though they still come together occasionally for performances and recordings.
While the award did not significantly change their day-to-day lives, he said it strengthened their recognition and legacy in PNG music.
He added that Zone 5 Crew still has unreleased material and concepts for future projects when time allows.
“We have over 30 song concepts that were never recorded, so we will revisit them when we have time.”
Furthermore, he thanked fans for their continued support and dedication toward their legacy and support that made their award win possible.
