shares his open letter with GRAMMY.com readers.
When we hear the word authenticity, we think of traditional, something new or original. We automatically assume the word exemplifies one s creativity someone who is innovative, unique and different from the rest. I m all about that and much more. I m not the typical Hawaiian slack key or ukulele artist most people expect me to be. I am a singer who speaks Hawaiian fluently, dressed in sequin blazers and Hawaiian print bowties, singing Hawaiian, contemporary and soul music. I also do Motown in Hawaiian if I had to, because I can as a modern, two-time GRAMMY-winning Hawaiian musician.