Renowned Fat Freddy's Drop founder Chris Faiumu dies
Chris Faiumu was known by his stage name DJ Fitchie or DJ Mu and helped develop the band's widely regarded sound.
In a post to social media, the band confirmed its "talismanic founding member, production maestro, selector and brother" had died.
"This is a seismic shift in our world. Sending alofa to the Faiumu & Duckworth aiga, and to MU's wider aiga of friends and fans worldwide," the band wrote.
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"Tears flowed on receiving word that your journey had taken you to the heavens Chris DJ MU Fitchie.
"These were all the titles you were famously known by for your miraculous works to all music makers of Aotearoa and the whole world. "
Growing from Faimu's already established career, Fat Freddy's formed in 1999, following his experimentation with live instrumentation and vocals in his DJ sets.
In 2005 the collective of Wellington musicians burst onto the national scene with the release of their first studio album Based On A True Story.
Chris Faiumu pictured in 2004. (Source: 1News)
The album sold over 100,000 copies in New Zealand and spent 108 weeks consecutively in the Top 40.
At the New Zealand Music Awards that year it won Album of the Year, Best Aotearoa Roots Album and the People's Choice Award. Fat Freddy's Drop also won Best Group.
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The band enjoyed local success in New Zealand and also attracted huge crowds at festivals and their own headline gigs across Europe and Australasia.
In October 2014, Fat Freddy's Drop sold out London's O2 Academy.
More recently, the band regularly toured Europe and UK, making the trip twice in 2024 with both summer and winter drops.
In 2024, the band released its sixth studio album entitled SLO MO, with nine bass-heavy new songs.
Reporter Isobel Prasad caught up with the band as it drops its sixth studio album this week. (Source: 1News)
At the time, Faiumu described the mix as "Afro rhythmic soul music, an exploration of Black music from Polynesia".
The band has sold in excess of 500,000 albums.
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Other New Zealand DJs took to social media to pay tribute to Faiumu following his death.
Shapeshifter wrote they were "deeply saddened" by the news.
"Mu was and still is a massive inspiration to Shapeshifter. We have toured and shared many stages together with the mighty @fatfreddysdropnz Our deepest and dearest of condolences we would like to send much warmth and love to Nicole Mia and the whole FFD family."
"Beyond heartbroken," wrote Wellington's DJ Jazzywhut.
Another Wellington DJ Rodrigo Pantoja said Faiumu was "an inspiration and a total legend, to say you'll be missed is an understatement.
"Thanks for the music bro, we'll continue to dance."
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