Following a whirlwind year of landmark achievements, heartfelt performances and rapidly growing fan support, “American Idol” Season 21 winner Iam Tongi is back with a new track, “Sugar.” Available today via 19 Recordings, listen to “Sugar” Below.
Co-written by Tongi, “Sugar” captures the sweetness of true island flavor. Mixed with ska and reggae, the upbeat track embodies everything fans have come to love from the Pacific Islander. A smooth vibe with bold blasts of brass horns accompany Tongi’s smooth vocals as he describes the beloved ‘Sugar.’
From the island of Pohnpei
That’s where she was born and raised
Like a flower wild and free
She chased the wind to Hawaii
“I was in the middle of writing another song when ‘Sugar' just kind of snuck up on me. It kept popping into my head. I had a melody that didn’t fit with the other song I was writing at the time so I had to stop what I was doing,” shared Tongi. “Next thing I know – boom – ‘Sugar' was born. What makes it even cooler is I’ve always wanted a song with this exact kind of vibe, so it feels like it was meant to be. It’s actually inspired by a family friend. Can’t wait for you all to hear it."
Tongi is set to hit the road this fall for a headlining run. The Iam Tongi Fall Tour will bring his signature blend of emotional storytelling, island soul and acoustic warmth to fans across the east coast and midwest this October and November. A second leg with west coast dates will be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now at iamtongiofficial.com.
The tour comes on the heels of several major career milestones for the 20-year-old Hawaiian singer-songwriter, including being featured on Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch soundtrack, delivering a fan-favorite version of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride;” a performance of his powerful song, “Unbreak My Heart,” on The Kelly Clarkson Show; a surprise plaque presentation for over 100 million career streams during CMA Fest week, where he made his debut; as well as a debut on the famous Grand Ole Opry.
Tongi also recently released “Unbreak My Heart,” a tribute to his late father, whom he emotionally honored with his unforgettable “Monsters” audition on American Idol – a performance that brought all three judges to tears and has since become the most-viewed audition in the show’s YouTube history with over 40 million views. The new music continues Tongi’s tradition of vulnerable, soul-deep storytelling and was praised for its “vocals tinged with pain and perseverance.”
Whether fans have been with him since Idol or are just discovering the music, the Iam Tongi Fall Tour promises a live experience filled with heart, harmony and healing.
He is currently on the road as support for Niko Moon’s American Palm Tour with shows in Chesterfield, MO (Oct. 3) and Kansas City, MO (Oct. 4).
For fall tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit iamtongiofficial.com and follow along @wtongi on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
"American Idol" Winner Iam Tongi Announces Headlining Tour for This Fall
Following a whirlwind year of landmark achievements, heartfelt performances, and rapidly growing fan support, “American Idol” Season 21 winner Iam Tongi is heading out on the road for his first full national headlining run. The Iam Tongi Fall Tour will bring Tongi’s signature blend of emotional storytelling, island soul and acoustic warmth to fans across the U.S. this October and November. A second leg with west coast dates will be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now at iamtongiofficial.com.
The tour comes on the heels of several major career milestones for the 20-year-old Hawaiian singer-songwriter, including being featured on Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch soundtrack, delivering a fan-favorite version of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride;” a performance of his latest single “Unbreak My Heart” on The Kelly Clarkson Show; a surprise plaque presentation for over 100 million career streams during CMA Fest week, where he made his debut; as well as a debut on the famous Grand Ole Opry.
Tongi’s latest release, “Unbreak My Heart,” is a powerful tribute to his late father, whom he emotionally honored with his unforgettable “Monsters” audition on American Idol – a performance that brought all three judges to tears and has since become the most-viewed audition in the show’s YouTube history with over 39 million views. The new song continues Tongi’s tradition of vulnerable, soul-deep storytelling and was praised for its “vocals tinged with pain and perseverance.”
The Iam Tongi Fall Tour will bring the rising star to nearly 30 cities across the country, including Nashville, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Chicago and more. Whether fans have been with him since Idol or are just discovering the music, this tour promises a live experience filled with heart, harmony and healing.
He is currently on the road this summer including several dates as support for Hawaiian singer-songwriter Maoli on his Last Sip of Summer Tour, Niko Moon’s American Palm Tour, as well as Kolohe Kai’s What Aloha Means Tour.
For the latest news and to purchase tickets visit iamtongiofficial.com and follow along @wtongi on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
Previously Announced Tour Dates
*Aug 1 || Salt Lake City, UT || Granary Live
*Aug 2 || Denver, CO || The Ogden Theatre
*Aug 9 || Las Vegas, NV || T-Mobile Arena
Sept 1 || Puyallup, WA || Washington State Fair
^Sept 5 || Concord, CA || Toyota Pavilion at Concord
^Sept 10 || Phoenix, AZ || Arizona Financial Theatre
Sept 26 || St. John’s, NFLD || Mary Browns Centre
# Oct 3 || Chesterfield, MO || The Factory
# Oct 4 || Kansas City, MO || Uptown Theater
*Support for Maoli’s Last Sip of Summer Tour
^ Support for Kolohe Kai’s What Aloha Means Tour
# Support for Niko Moon’s American Palm Tour
Iam Tongi Fall Tour
Oct 7 || Springfield, MO || The Regency Live
Oct 8 || Iowa City, IA || The Englert Theatre
Oct 9 || Cincinnati, OH || Ludlow Garage
Oct 11 || Pontiac, MI || Flagstar Strand Theatre
Oct 14 || Kent, OH || The Kent Stage
Oct 16 || Nashville, TN || Cannery Hall - Mainstage
Oct 17 || Gainesville, GA || Boot Barn Hall
Oct 20 || St. Petersburg, FL || Jannus Live
Oct 21 || Charleston, SC || Music Farm
Oct 22 || St. Augustine, FL || Colonial Oak Music Park
Oct 24 || Orlando, FL || The Social
Oct 25 || Stuart, FL || Terra Fermata
Oct 28 || Annapolis, MD || Rams Head
Oct 29 || Hopewell, VA || The Beacon Theatre
Oct 30 || Lynchburg, VA || Academy of the Arts
Nov 1 || Washington, DC || Hamilton Live
Nov 3 || New York, NY || Gramercy Theatre
Nov 4 || Philadelphia, PA || Ardmore Music Hall
Nov 5 || Boston, MA || The Wilbur
Nov 7 || Waldoboro, ME || The Waldo Theatre
Nov 8 || Albany, NY || Empire Live
Nov 11 || Homer, NY || Homer Centre for the Arts
Nov 13 || Chicago, IL || Bottom Lounge
Nov 14 || Milwaukee, WI || Shank Hall
Nov 15 || Minneapolis, MN || The Dakota
"American Idol" Winner Iam Tongi Releases Powerful New Track, "Unbreak My Heart," for His Late Father
On the heels of a week of career firsts and milestones including a performance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” his CMA Fest debut and being surprised with a plaque for 100,000,000 streams, “American Idol” Season 21 winner and Hawaii native, Iam Tongi, releases the powerful new track, “Unbreak My Heart,” today via 19 Recordings. Listen to “Unbreak My Heart” Below. And watch Tongi debut an acoustic version of the track on Monday’s “The Kelly Clarkson Show” HERE.
Written by Johnny Reid and Thomas “Tawgs” Salter and recorded in Nashville at Soultrain Sound Studios, the deeply personal ballad finds Tongi reflecting on the loss of his father and picking up the pieces. Delivering vocals tinged with pain and perseverance in a tribute to wounds that never heal, the song is a spiritual follow-up to Tongi’s tearjerking performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters” on “American Idol.” Arriving just over a week before Father’s Day the new track is once again dedicated to his late father.
Tongi says of the song, “I recorded ‘Unbreak My Heart’ in honor of my late father. The first time I heard it I was reminded of exactly how I felt the day we lost him. It speaks true to me and I hope anyone that hears it that has experienced loss knows they are not alone.”
The new music follows a flurry of activity in recent weeks for the Hawaii native, including a return to the Idol stage for the hit ABC show’s Disney Night. The Pacific Islander performed the Lilo & Stitch classic “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.” Tongi’s take of the song is featured in Disney’s blockbuster live-action Lilo & Stitch film in theaters now. Watch his “American Idol” Performance of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” HERE, the official video for Tongi’s version HERE, stream on APPLE MUSIC / SPOTIFY / AMAZON.
Tongi kicked off CMA Fest week on Monday with an acoustic performance of the new track on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” followed by a surprise appearance at a special American Idols Takeover presented by 19 and BMG on Wednesday where he was presented with a plaque for achieving 100,000,000 streams. He then made his CMA Fest debut on the Dr. Pepper Amp stage on Thursday.
CMA Fest week activities, the release of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” and a return to “American Idol” follow Tongi’s release, “Sunshine” via 19 Recordings, for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Written by Tongi along with Tyler Cain and Johnny Reid, the song finds him basking in positivity and feel-good warmth with a fusion of country and reggae sounds offering a dose of sonic Vitamin D to match his Hawaiian home. Listen to “Sunshine” HERE.
At just 18-years old when he auditioned for Idol, the Hawaiian born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist won hearts around the world and brought Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, to tears with his emotional performance of James Blunt's "Monsters," dedicated to his father Rodney who had recently passed away - watch it HERE. The audition went on to become the most watched on the show’s YouTube with 37 million views. Tongi became the first Pacific Islander to win the series and went on to earn his first Billboard No. 1 on the Rock Digital Songs Sales Chart after releasing his debut single, "I'll Be Seeing You"
Tongi is set to make his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 11. He is currently on the road with dates across the U.S. through the summer and fall including several dates as support for Hawaiian singer-songwriter Maoli on his Last Sip of Summer Tour as well as Kolohe Kai’s What Aloha Means Tour. For the latest news including tour dates and new music visit iamtongiofficial.com and follow along @wtongi on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
Photo Credit: Catherine Powell
Upcoming Tour Dates
June 11 || Nashville, TN || Grand Ole Opry House
June 21 || Del Mar, CA || Corona Grand Stage / Toyota Concert Series
*July 17 || Los Angeles, CA || The Greek Theatre
*Aug 1 || Salt Lake City, UT || Granary Live
*Aug 2 || Denver, CO || The Ogden Theatre
*Aug 9 || Las Vegas, NV || T-Mobile Arena
Sept 1 || Puyallup, WA || Washington State Fair
^Sept 5 || Concord, CA || Toyota Pavilion at Concord
^Sept 10 || Phoenix, AZ || Arizona Financial Theatre
Sept 26 || St. John’s, NFLD || Mary Browns Centre
Oct 11 || Pontiac, MI || Flagstar Strand Theatre
*Support for Maoli’s Last Sip of Summer Tour
^ Support for Kolohe Kai’s What Aloha Means Tour
American Idol Winner Iam Tongi Brings the 'Sunshine' with New Track
“American Idol” Season 21 winner and Hawaii native, Iam Tongi, releases new track, “Sunshine,” today via 19 Recordings ahead of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Written by Tongi along with Tyler Cain and Johnny Reid, the song finds Tongi basking in positivity and feel-good warmth with a fusion of country and reggae sounds offering a dose of sonic Vitamin D to match his Hawaiian home. Listen to “Sunshine” HERE.
Recorded in Nashville at Soultrain Sound Studios, Tongi says of the song, “Even though I just turned 20, I’ve had to face some pretty difficult times in my life. When I lost my dad a few years ago, it made me realize how short life is. It also made me take stock of what really matters. My mom is my biggest hero and inspiration, and she has always pushed me to be kind, work hard and be a better version of myself, no matter what.”
Tongi continues, “I wrote ‘Sunshine’ because I wanted to spread love, light and positivity to the world. Even when times are tough, you can find goodness around you.”
At just 18-years old when he auditioned, the Hawaiian born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist won hearts around the world and brought Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, to tears with his emotional performance of James Blunt's "Monsters," dedicated to his father Rodney who had recently passed away - watch it HERE. The audition went on to become the most watched on the show’s YouTube with 36 million views. Tongi became the first Pacific Islander to win the series and went on to earn his first Billboard No. 1 on the Rock Digital Songs Sales Chart after releasing his debut single, "I'll Be Seeing You"
Tongi is set to make his CMA Fest debut June 5 on the Dr Pepper Amp Stage as well as his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 11. He is currently on the road with dates across the U.S. through the summer and fall with more to be announced soon. For the latest news including tour dates and new music visit iamtongiofficial.com and follow along @wtongi on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
Upcoming Tour Dates
May 10 Nashville, TN Nashville Soccer Club Halftime, Geodis Park
June 5 Nashville, TN CMA Fest, Dr Pepper Amp Stage
June 11 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry House
June 21 Del Mar, CA Corona Grand Stage / Toyota Concert Series
Sept 1 Puyallup, WA Washington State Fair
Sept 5 Concord, CA Toyota Pavilion at Concord
Sept 10 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
About 19 Entertainment
19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television, is led by executive producers Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman, with key programs including the global hit “American Idol” co-produced by Fremantle for ABC and “So You Think You Can Dance” co-produced by dcp for Fox. Additionally, 19 Recordings has launched the music careers of platinum artists, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Phillip Phillips, Lauren Alaina, and more recently, Gabby Barrett, Chayce Beckham, Iam Tongi, and country artist Will Moseley.
"American Idol” Winner Iam Tongi is on the “Road to Hana”
“American Idol” Season 21 winner and Hawaii native, Iam Tongi releases new track, “Road to Hana” via 19 Recordings. Co-written by Tongi, the song is a love letter to the islands where he grew up. Listen to “Road to Hana” Below .
Recorded in Nashville at Soultrain Sound Studios, Tongi says of the song, “I’ve always been proud of my heritage and where I was raised. Hawaii is such a big place with so many beautiful secret destinations. There’s a few however that are known around the world. The road to Hana is 64.4 miles of untouched beauty. This song is a celebration of that beauty and everything it has to offer.”
At just 18-years old when he auditioned, the Hawaiian born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist won hearts around the world and brought Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, to tears with his emotional performance of James Blunt's "Monsters," dedicated to his father Rodney who had recently passed away - watch it HERE. The audition went on to become the most watched on the show’s YouTube with 29 million views.
Tongi became the first Pacific Islander to win the series, performing an emotional duet with James Blunt of his audition song "Monsters" – watch it HERE. He went on to earn his first Billboard No. 1 on the Rock Digital Songs Sales Chart after releasing his debut single, "I'll Be Seeing You"
Tongi will appear in “MAUI RISING: The Fight for Hawai'i’s Future,” airing tonight, Friday, Aug. 9, at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC, streaming the next day on Hulu. The one-hour primetime special marks a year since the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history tore through the picturesque town of Lahaina, Maui, leaving a community reeling and inspiring a new generation of organizers ready to stand up for change. Narrated by actor and Hawai’i resident Jason Scott Lee, the program highlights the strength, determination and resilience of the people of Lahaina and follows Native Hawaiian community leaders who see the tragedy as an opportunity to re-envision a new town based on ecological restoration, cultural repair, and ultimately a chance to build a stronger, more equitable and more sustainable future for all of Hawai’i.
“MAUI RISING: The Fight for Hawai'i’s Future” spotlights Lahaina leaders who see the catastrophic fire as a pivot point and opportunity to rectify long-standing issues around affordable housing, the tourism-based economy, water rights and resource exploitation. In addition to Tongi, interviews include legendary Hawaiian surfer Archie Kalepa; Hawaiian cultural practitioner Ke’eaumoku Kapu; key organizers of the grassroots community group Lahaina Strong, Pā’ele Kiakona, Courtney Lazo and Jordan Ruidas; and more.
Tongi is currently on the road with dates across the U.S. through the end of the year. For the latest news including tour dates and new music visit officialiamtongi.com and follow along @wtongi on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
Upcoming Tour Dates
8/10 Tulsa, OK Gathering Place
8/23 Salt Lake City, UT Granary Live
9/11 Virginia Beach, VA 24th Street Stage
9/12 Jacksonville, NC Hooligans Live
9/21 Sacramento, CA Cal Expo State Fairgrounds
9/28 San Diego, CA Mission Bayfest
10/10 York, PA Appell Center for the Performing Arts
10/12 Orleans, MA Outermost Roots and Blues Festival
10/17 Eau Claire, WI Pablo Center at the Confluence
10/19 Madisonville, KY Glema Mahr Center For The Arts
11/09 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome