Moana: Voices Across The Ocean — 25 Pacific Artists, One Cultural Trust

When Disney announced the live-action Moana, the question of cultural authenticity was always going to follow. The 2016 animated film was both praised for its consultation process and criticised for flattening Polynesian traditions into a single narrative. The inspired-by album, Moana: Voices Across The Ocean, appears to be part of Disney's response to that tension — not a soundtrack, but a parallel project that places 25 Pacific artists in the authorship role.

The structure of the album tells the story. Executive production credits go to Dwayne Johnson alongside his wife Lauren Hashian, Tiana Nonosina Liufau, and Kayla Fa'amaligi. Liufau and Fa'amaligi are not industry producers brought in for credibility. Liufau has been Cultural Consultant and Choreographer on every Moana film — animated and live-action — and is Associate Producer on the live-action. She is the creative director of Nonosina Polynesia, an organisation her grandmother founded in 1965. Both Liufau and Fa'amaligi served on the film's Cultural Trust, the advisory body Disney convened to guide cultural accuracy across the production.

In other words, the people responsible for cultural accuracy on the film are the same people responsible for the album. The line between consultation and authorship is deliberately blurred.

Who Was Chosen and Why

The 25 artists span six Pacific nations and a range of genres — Island Reggae, R&B, Pop, Island Country, Soul, Dance and Traditional Polynesian music. Several were selected for profiles that extend beyond streaming numbers.

Stan Walker anchors the cover of "We Know The Way" (originally co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa'i) alongside Dinah Jane. Walker is one of New Zealand's most successful Māori artists, with over 400 million global streams. He was handpicked by Ava DuVernay to write and perform the theme for her film Origin. Dinah Jane, a former Fifth Harmony member, takes the solo "Strength Of A Woman."

Common Kings, GRAMMY-nominated for Best Reggae Album (2017's Lost in Paradise), contribute "Reflections Of Me." They have toured with Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Fifth Harmony.

DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown and Donell Lewis represent the independent streaming tier of Pacific music. Combined certifications include triple-platinum (DJ Noiz, "Still The One") and the 50-million-stream collaboration "Island Girl."

Paula Fuga appears on "In The Waves" with Iam Tongi. Fuga's connection to the franchise predates the album — she wrote the official Little Golden Books adaptation of Moana 2. Tongi was the first Pacific Islander to win American Idol (Season 21) and previously recorded for Disney's Lilo & Stitch live-action soundtrack.

Josh Tatofi, paired with Keilana on "Two Of Us," recently became the first artist from Hawai'i and the South Pacific to sign a global deal with EMPIRE. He makes his Grand Ole Opry debut on August 11.

The Track That Closes It

The final track, "TĀTOU" — meaning "us" — is the clearest signal of the album's intent. It gathers Liufau alongside artists chosen for cultural practice as much as performance. Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole is a native Hawaiian cultural educator, Grammy nominee, and member of the Kanaka'ole clan. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and recently co-composed music for Apple TV's Chief of War alongside Hans Zimmer. Rex Atirai brings Cook Islands and Tahitian heritage through gospel-rooted island soul. Mevina Liufau builds his sound around live percussion and traditional chant.

Placing traditional artists at the close — after the pop, the reggae, the streaming heavyweights — is a structural decision. The album ends where the music originates.

The Cover as Cultural Object

The album cover was designed and hand-carved by Polynesian master carver Sam Mangakahia. The paddle draws motifs from seven Pacific nations — Aotearoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga — representing genealogy, humanity, navigation, protection and wisdom. It is a one-of-a-kind object, not a digital illustration.

The album features 14 original songs and one cover. It was released alongside Disney's live-action Moana, directed by Thomas Kail and starring Catherine Laga'aia and Dwayne Johnson, currently in theatres.

Moana: Voices Across The Ocean is out now.

Photos by Disney Music Group / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.