Not only rooting for him all the way, but i'm loving the Pacific Island representation! Him singing this song is so special for our Pacific Island artists! ❤️
I cried when I watched this live. I’d never heard this song before, but after the year my wife and I had this song really spoke to me concerning our marriage. If it’s worth it, don’t let go. Its truly a blessing watching this kid perform!
Being from hawaii myself and growing up listening to island reggae by artists from hawaii, i can tell you that ALOT of their songs are about love and relationships and how to love eachother..none of the stuff we get nowadays in hip hop about booty shaking, drugs and stuff like that..just pure love for eachother, the islands, and life itself
He definitely has a special feeling to him. The other singers have talent, but it feels like they’re performing. With Iam there’s a real, deep warmth & beautiful authenticity. It’s not just a performance for him, it’s a state of being that welcomes you in.
I lived on Oahu for 3 years and the people there have wonderful souls. they step back from the rush of life and take things on "island time". I was fortunate enough to see and be a part of celebrations while I was there and the singing and performing always has a warmth to it. they are fiercely loyal and devoted to family and friends and i believe that says a lot about the character of the Hawaiian people. they know where the real priorities of life lie.
A Polynesian kid performing an island reggae song in Hawaii on national television?! No offense to the other performers, but they're playing checkers compared to Iam playing chess! I love this song and this performance was on another level! Incredible for the Polynesian community and culture as well. CHEE-HOO!!🤙🤙
I know numbers don’t always mean everything, but the fact that his performance has already hit 1M views while nobody else has even hit 300k yet is wild! I could be wrong, but I don’t think we’ve ever had this big of a gap between a front runner & the rest of the competition on just about any singing competition before. Can’t wait to see him go all the way!🙌🏽🔥
I agree!!!! Especially the audition. IAM audition was millions of hit before any other contestant. Rooting for everyone and wishing IAM good luck!!! His DAD is REALLY GUIDING HIM AND PRAYING HE WILL MAKE IT TO THE TOP!! 2023 AMERICAN IDOL WINNER!!! #TEAMIAMTONGI ❤❤❤
Amen! So tired of the yelling and screaming. I stopped watching these shows because it seems the louder someone can get and distort the music, the “better.” I am here for the talent and voice and the message that only music can bring. Go @wtongi!!
This kid opens his mouth and happiness comes out. Can’t stop smiling watching him, loving his joy, feeing his vibe and just feeling that life is so good. Watching idol just for this kid alone Iam Tongi!
Lol, same here, I don't follow American Idol. I accidentally saw his audition and have watched all his performances on American idol RU-vid Channel ever since. Over and over and over again, lol. He's an amazing human being who brings joy in people's hearts and touches you every time you hear him sing.
I haven’t really had any interest in watching American Idol for years, but this young man changed that. He is so incredibly talented. I can’t get enough of him. He’s gotta win! 🏆
I have to agree. Even going as far as listening to what I can find of his music to listen to and getting it stuck in my head. I’ll definitely be buying his music and supporting him.
Same! After season 8 ended (uggh...), I lost intererest and rarely watched it over the years. I watched the last half of last season and picked out Noah as the winner. Iam is as obvious to me. I feel every word he sings and it goes from his heart and soul to mine. I have rarely ever felt that connection with an artist, and I think many people feel the same.
Sed, sed, sed, indeed ... & from... PACIFICA 🇵🇬 PNG across ATLANTIC, across BERMUDA Islands to US OF A... 🇺🇸 we convey our at most sedness to this magical call through such a VOICE to Dad... CAN YOU HEAR ME DAD... USUALLY thank you God for this sweet VOICE... Can 🌏 Islander win??? ❓
It's absolutely amazing to see Iam evolve from one week to another. It's absolutely divine to hear him sing every week. I'm watching this at 4am here in Europe, that's how eager and excited I was to watch his performance. Now I can go to sleep.
@@muzikizfun Uh, not really... previous winners have had lower RU-vid video views compared to the competition. Country singers have won a lot the past several seasons, and they often get poor views on RU-vid. That being said, I do think Iam will still make it far into the competition. And if he doesn't make the finals, I will be disappointed.
To sing an island reggae in the beautiful Pacific Islands through such a prestigious platform is beyond amazing! This was such a moment and I’m so proud of you Iam. Your dad will never let go of you that’s for sure.
For sure I love iam he is my favorite once I seen him come in he reminded me of willie Spence but then two were two different ppl but as two big ppl they have been just blessing from the sky’s where I just love them both and ik iam will go far in this competition it’s gunna be hard for someone to take him out if anything he makes it to the top 3
Listening to Iam puts me in a happy place. Wow! I totally dig his voice. Definitely in his own lane. I think he has all that it takes to win this season! He’s getting all my votes!
crazy to hear an island jam on American Idol and sung so perfectly! this type of music was made for his voice, all of Polynesia is rooting for you Iam. From Tonga, Samoa, NZ etc
This kid deserves a recording contract. I was feeling THIS song. I love the way THIS guys sings. He has SOUL with a little JAZZY and jamaican Flavor. So flowy. Makes you feel like you on the island just chilling. I love this.
Iam is so interesting. He just sings. Yet he is competitive af. It just shows you. Some people do not need huge vocal gymnastics, huge belts, soaring mixed notes, whistle tones or ridiculous riffs to be great singers and performers. Iam is simply one of those. I really like this youngster a LOT!
Yeah they try and get people to move around a lot, interact with the crowd, do all this stuff, Iam comes on, just sings and it blows every other contestant out of the water!
I think Lionel Ritchie is all of us when we watch this young man. What an absolute talent, I can't wait to see how far he goes. He deserves stardom and beyond
Such a perfect song to show off his amazing voice and Hawaiian spirit. He is THE reason I watch Idol every week!! Can’t wait to pay to see him in concert some day!! Rooting for you, Iam!!!
@@jesus11848 I think hawaiian as a nationality. Everyone who lived in Hawaii was considered Hawaiian since Hawaii was its own country. If your bloodline was hawaiian you were kanaka maoli
@@jesus11848 I’m not Hawaiian by blood. I’m Tongan, Samoan, Haole but was born and raised in Hawaii so I’m Hawaiian for those who don’t mind and I’m not for those who do mind. One love 🤙🏾
All his performances were hella emotional. For me this took the cake. We as polys rarely see our talented people on these shows, but to see our people on this show in Hawaii singing a Polynesian artist song damn. Never been more proud to be poly. Malo toko
He's honestly my pick, too, and there is a LOT of talent this season. I just told my patient (whose room I was in watching this) that guy's voice is actual butter on warmed toast... Then Katy said the same thing. His voice just melts the room! HE'S SO GOOD!
@@johannerodrigue1075 you're thinking of Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. He was a Hawaiian singer also, and a large guy. Look up his version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". Had a voice like no other. He did pass away maybe 12 or 13 or so years ago. This singer, Iam Tongi, is on the current season of American Idol.
This dude right here, his voice is helping me to forget how wild the world is currently. If only music could stop all this evil This young man, right here, would be one of the top people bringing happiness. What a pure soul shining through it all.
I was feeling a bit depressed today and you just brightened my day Iam. My mind was taking me to dark places and hearing you sing “Don’t Let Go” pulled me out😢
He was just 100% there...present with the music and the people, bringing them home with his vibes. Taking us all to a beautiful, happy place. Representing all the gifts the Island nations have to give to music. He was solid as rock, sweet as an Angel. I know his dad is up in heaven beaming. Amen. 🇹🇴
The other singers are great performers, no doubt. Their voices were superb. But this guy Iam is something. He brings me to another world whenever he is singing. He can engage anyone easily. He is so unique in his story telling ability.
The many many years I been watching idol - IAM is my absolute favorite. I never ever voted until this season. Got the whole fam watching him now! Go IAM !
OK now that I've watched the entire top 26 perform, I'm confident in my belief that Iam is the one to beat. His smooth vocals are already polished and can improve over time. His style doesn't require moving all over the stage. His impact is powerful with just his voice and guitar. The way he connects with the songs he sings and the audience is unlike any other. I think the entire top 26 is talented and this young man has that something extra that makes him the American Idol.
Man, if this isn’t the best rendition to that track, I don’t know what is. Thank you toko for using this platform to showcase Polynesian music to the world. Your old man will be super proud of you. Shoutout to Spawnbreezie 💪 676 🇹🇴 x 685 🇼🇸 Iam definitely winning !
I hadn't ever heard this song, love it! I listen to it daily. I think my favorite part of the video is the little young guy in the family, he's got smooth moves already, watch out young girls he's a heartbreaker ❤sooo cute!
Brah, every adult male 30 years or older in Hawaii feels like a proud uncle right now. GETTUM MAH BOY!!! CHEEEEE 🤙🏽🤙🏽🔥 Braddah Iam is da new Braddah Iz.
The way he sings speaks to you! There’s this calmness that transports you back in time to a simpler state of mind when he interprets music. He is awesome! 😎
So a marriage of 20 years we were having problems and your song was playing and we started crying and was able to work our marriage out all because of that song thank you our love is stronger because of you love u❤ ian
@@Dniq7 He has the most viewers on Instagram, RU-vid and TikTok by a mile and a half. Even if he's "not that perfect" he definitely has a very good shot at winning.
❤❤ so happy to see him sing something more upbeat and not so sad, and I like that he shouted out his hometown at the end, I'm sure he's happy to be home. And it's dope he sung a spawnbreezie song, I bet that song blows up more now
Ive cried everytime this man sings. If he doesnt win he needs to be picked up. I can listen to his take on monsters all day. Hes intoxicating and has so much soul.
This currently has 822,769 views rn and I think in the last hour I’ve listened 22,769 of those times. Lol it’s one of those songs you never want to end …. Don’t let go everything will be just fine 🤗 thank you Iam! Your music is God sent ❤️🫶🏽
I'm with you, I put this on video loop and listen continuously. His voice is so smooth and soothing, he's such a special humble young man with a heap of talent. I can't wait for the next show when he sings....When I do decide to listen to anything else it's been him singing with Oliver Steele they are magic together, smooth as buttah.
@@cascade3769 unfortunately the tongan, samoan and many Polynesian races have developed a gene that allows us to store food in way meant for famine and war. On long journeys across the ocean, food isn't exactly the most readily available source and landing on small islands across the pacific meant sometimes fighting off pre existing tribes or developing villages to have homes to travel back too which meant alot of the smaller men and women died off only leaving the bigger stronger ones to survive. Bringing us back to present day where we no longer have famine or war, we are stuck with this gene. So for example say you and I had the same exact meals everyday for a month my weight gain would be significantly more than your just because of the way our bodies store food vs the way yours store food.
Listening from New Zealand! Haven’t bothered with Idol since Randy and Paula were judges and fantasia won it, but I look forward to this man’s performance every week. His voice speaks straight to the soul 😌
I don’t even watch american idol, I’m just watching his performances alone, Iam just has a presence that makes you genuinely smile and happy, his the winner this season in my eyes, he deserves it ❤
Damn... He killed it again!! he's just awesome. Really routing for him to win this whole thing and i wish i can hear A full versions of all the rendition's he's done so far because i find my self rewinding these youtube videos over and over again.
@@thelifeofkhama9910 Iam Tongi here. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but let’s thank him for keeping this thread going. Anything helps whether it be a view, a like or a comment😁❤️ One love 🤙🏾
This reminded me so much of Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers in the opening. Very gospel. Then he changed it up to that classic Hawaiian rhythm, voice is perfection, soothing, comfortable. He is a Star!
@@muzikizfun We actually have this Hawaii guy that sort of made it a few years back, has a decent voice, he's sort of ok as a performer, had a few hits, nothing super major....you might have heard of him.....BRUNO MARS...and this other lady...shes kind of old at this point but recent enough...supposedly an actress singer or something....Bette Midler? see also: Auli'i Cravalho (Moana), Tia Carrere (Wayne's World....AND as you are eye rolling....let me drop the mic here and let you know she has FOUR Grammys),
@cheedoggy I'm referring to native Hawaiians. Though the people you listed are all good, they don't produce the sounds and feelings of the Islands like Iam. If a native Hawaiian has hit it big in the last 50 years, it has escaped my notice.
First of all he knows how to pick a song according to the theme. Secondly he naturally know how to connect to people while he sing and lastly he performs naturally like it not a competition. He got me since his first audition and until. ❤❤❤ I hope he will win the show even though he already won ❤❤
Look at the genuine love he generates. Truly inspiring, everything he puts out is pure gold! There is no doubt in my mind this young man will be our next American Idol. Iam Tongi ALL THE WAY
This sweet kid doesn’t need to win. He is already AMAZING!!! He’s untraditional in every way & yet he is the most talented contestant. His voice is beautiful and he FEELS what he’s singing & clearly he loves it. And I love listening to him. I hope everyone agrees! #1!!!
I started off watching him on TikTok and now following his journey on American Idol. This performance literally had me in tears. I wasn’t even there but I felt the love around him this performance. And every week when he performs I don’t know why but I get so emotional and cry. When he sings it just brings this happiness in my heart. I genuinely want him to have everything this world has good to offer. And I hope he wins the entire thing. 🤍🤍 ROOTING FOR YOU IAM!!! 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
Love ❤️ everything about this performance, it has all of the elements of an island concert. Brings back so many memories of watching Kapena, Fiji, UB40, and other local artists in concert. Thank you Iam Tongi for the Pacific Islander representation, you truly are an amazing artist. Tu’a ‘ofa atu❤️❤️
To be honest, I was expecting another tear jerker...which I've loved. But look at Iam go! Upbeat, great volume, charm, working the audience. No crying, just a big stupid grin throughout the whole song. Thinking about how awesome a career this young man can have.
