David Aumua’s cultural awakening hits home with ‘E Le Alofa E’

The soulful voice that captured the hearts of audiences across Australia and beyond is sharing his journey of self-discovery with the release of his first song in Gagana Sāmoa.

David Aumua wowed the coaches of Season 12 of The Voice Australia, secured a spot in Team Jessica Mauboy, and advanced to the semi-finals.

Blending his smooth vocals with raw emotion and his Sāmoan heritage, Aumua this week released his rendition of the classic song, “E Le Alofa E”, byThe Five Stars.

“I don’t know how to put it. It’s very overwhelming,” Aumua tells 531pi's Pacific Days when reflecting on the love he has received for his song.

His track is making waves, with over 10,000 views and streams across multiple music platforms.

“Especially when it’s a song that I grew up listening to and I really loved. I’m glad I get to put my own version out there for people to listen to,” he says.

“For people to say that they love what I’ve put out there, it’s a really good feeling.”

Aumua told NiuFM's The Rush that his parents are among his biggest supporters, who encouraged him to look into Sāmoan music.

“After releasing a bit of music, my parents were like, ‘Son, it’s very nice, but when are you going to do a Sāmoan track?’

“I’m like ea, I just started man!”

A close friend of Aumua’s, who was preparing to mark their father’s 10-year memorial, asked him to release the song in their father’s honour.

The request marked a turning point both musically and personally for Aumua, making him realise the song’s wider impact.

“He messaged me out of nowhere, and this one song meant a lot to [his dad].

“At first I didn’t think big of it…but then it hit me, this is it. The heavens told me this is the Sāmoan song.”

Reflecting on the Blind Auditions, where he sang “You Say” by Lauren Daigle, Aumua says he never expected to turn all four judges, including Guy Sebastian, Rita Ora, and Jason Derulo.

“I actually thought that I was only going to turn a few chairs. But having all four coaches turn around was flabbergasting,” he laughs.

“I went into the competition nervous, thinking I wouldn’t go as far as I did. The whole experience…I was blessed to go on the show and do what I did.”

In the semi-final round, Aumua faced off against powerhouse vocalist Ezrah Williams, whose family has a legacy in the Australian and New Zealand music charts.

Coach Mauboy decided to advance Williams to the finals, ending Aumua’s journey on the show.

But Aumua holds no animosity towards the decision. Instead, he’s “grateful” for the experience gained from working with a childhood idol and the important lesson of “acceptance” that Mauboy taught him.

“She taught me to just accept how I am because I was always in denial about how I looked. Going through the challenges and the sing-offs, I started to build my confidence.

"She taught me how to have confidence. I’m grateful for her.”

Since his time on the show, Aumua has released a Poly-Reggae cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” and collaborated on a track called “Real Thing” with fellow emerging Australian artist, LUFFS. In February, he dropped his first original track, “Another Path”, featuring YISSA.

Aumua’s road to reconnection and authenticity has encouraged fans to support his musical dreams, with many suggesting he start a podcast.

However, his focus remains on music for now. Like established Pacific icons such as Fiji, Josh Tatofi, and Spawnbreezie, Aumua aims to add his unique flavour to cultural songs beyond his own.

“After dropping this track, I want to have a listen to old classics from Fiji or Tonga and try and bring my little oomph, you know.”

You can listen to “E Le Alofa E” by David Aumua on all music streaming services.