When Iam Tongi walked onto the American Idol stage in 2023, he didn’t just bring a guitar. He brought a whole mood. Honestly, it was a heavy one. If you saw his audition, you probably remember the feeling. He talked about his dad, Rodney, who had passed away just months earlier. Then he sang "Monsters."
The room basically fell apart.
Since that moment, iam tongi songs have become a sort of therapy for people. He has this way of making a room of thousands feel like a quiet living room. It’s not about flashy high notes or vocal gymnastics. It’s about that "island soul" vibe that feels like a warm hug and a good cry at the same time.
The Viral Power of "Monsters" and "I'll Be Seeing You"
You can't talk about Tongi without talking about James Blunt's "Monsters." It was the song that started it all. Usually, a cover is just a cover, but Iam made it his own. He wasn't just singing the lyrics; he was chasing his own monsters away.
Then came the finale with "I'll Be Seeing You."
This wasn't a cover. It was an original track written by Francisco Martin VI. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart for a reason. It talks about those weird, small moments of grief—like driving past a dialysis clinic and expecting to see your dad there.
It’s real. It’s raw.
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And that's why it stuck. Most Idol winners drop a single and fade into the "where are they now" bin. Iam didn't. He kept leaning into that vulnerability.
Beyond the Tears: Island Vibes and "Why Kiki?"
If Iam only sang sad songs, we’d all be dehydrated from crying.
Thankfully, he’s got range. He released "Why Kiki?" in late 2023, and it’s a total vibe shift. It’s a play on words (Waikiki, get it?) and brings in those reggae-influenced island roots he grew up with in Kahuku. It’s upbeat but still has that "heartbroken man" lyricism.
Then you have "Efiafi," a collaboration with Manatau Tuifua.
It’s sung in Tongan, honoring his heritage. It’s beautiful even if you don’t understand every word. That’s the thing about iam tongi songs—the emotion is the universal language. You feel the sun on your face and the sand in your toes just listening to the rhythm.
A Quick Look at the Essentials
- "Monsters" (The James Blunt Cover): The audition that broke the internet.
- "I'll Be Seeing You": His first major original hit and a tribute to his father.
- "Why Kiki?": A catchy, reggae-pop track about a girl who broke his heart.
- "Road to Hana": A 2024 release that feels like a literal road trip through Maui.
- "Sunshine": Released in 2025, a song focused on finding light after dark times.
2025 and the "Lilo & Stitch" Era
Fast forward to 2025. Iam really leveled up. He teamed up with the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus for a new version of "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride." It was part of the hype for the Disney live-action Lilo & Stitch remake.
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Hearing his voice on a Disney soundtrack just felt right. He also released "Unbreak My Heart," which is a cover of the Toni Braxton classic, but—you guessed it—he flipped it. Instead of a romantic breakup, he sang it about the void left by his father.
It’s a different kind of heartbreak. One that resonates with anyone who’s ever lost a parent.
Why People Keep Listening
Katy Perry once said Iam is a "master storyteller." She wasn't lying.
In a world where music is often over-produced and autotuned into oblivion, Iam feels like an anomaly. He’s a 20-something kid from Hawaii who just happens to have the soul of an 80-year-old blues singer.
He also isn't afraid to collaborate. He's worked with legends like James Blunt and Jake Shimabukuro. He even did a Christmas EP, An Iam Tongi Christmas, featuring "Mele Kalikimaka." It’s festive, but it still has that signature Tongi warmth.
Common Misconceptions
Some people think Iam is "just" a reggae artist because he’s from Hawaii. That's a mistake. While the "island reggae" sound is definitely his foundation, he's actually a folk-pop powerhouse. His 2025 track "Sugar" showed a much more modern, soulful side that could easily sit on a playlist next to Jack Johnson or even Leon Bridges.
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The Future of Iam Tongi Songs
So, what’s next?
He’s been touring like crazy—from his homecoming shows in Hawaii to festivals across the mainland. He’s constantly dropping new singles like "Sunshine" and "Road to Hana," proving he’s not a one-hit-wonder from a reality show.
He’s building a real discography.
If you’re new to his music, don't just stop at the American Idol clips. Go deeper. Listen to the acoustic versions of "Trust Me" or his version of "The Winner Takes It All."
You’ll see he’s not just "the kid who made the judges cry." He’s a legitimate artist who knows how to hold a mirror up to our own lives.
How to Build Your Iam Tongi Playlist
- Start with "Monsters" to understand the "why" behind his journey.
- Move to "I'll Be Seeing You" for the emotional peak.
- Transition to "Why Kiki?" and "Road to Hana" for the island vibe.
- Check out his "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" cover if you need something to lift your mood.
- End with "Sunshine" to remind yourself that things eventually get better.
Music is supposed to make you feel something. Iam Tongi doesn't just make you feel; he makes you remember. Whether it’s a memory of someone you lost or just the feeling of a summer breeze, his songs are designed to stick.
Go listen to "Road to Hana" on your next long drive. Turn it up. Window down. You’ll get it.