Iam Tongi’s Hawaiian Homecoming: “Don’t Let Go” (Spawnbreezie Cover) – 24.01.VID.005_SAM.IamTongiOnStageAmericanIdol.2023.AmericanIdol.ABC

Artist Iam Tongi’s cover of Spawnbreezie’s song “Don’t Let Go” on American Idol brought a Pacific presence to national television screens. What elements of faʻasāmoa are in this clip?

Foundations and Futures Logo

The Asian American Studies Center acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, So. Channel Islands) and pay our respects to the honuukvetam (ancestors), ‘ahiihirom (elders), and ‘eyoohiinkem (relatives/relations) past, present, and emerging.

© 2025 UCLA Asian American Studies Center

UCLA Institute of American Cultures Asian American Studies Center logo
Accessibility Tools
Reset All Accessibility Tools Reset All
Font Options
Text Resize
Line Height
Color Focus ButtonColor Overlay
Reading Focus ButtonReading Mask

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Accessibility
Translate