Latest news with #FatFreddy'sDrop
1News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
Renowned Fat Freddy's Drop founder Chris Faiumu dies
Fat Freddy's Drop founding member and beatmaker Chris Faiumu has died. 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. ADVERTISEMENT "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. ADVERTISEMENT 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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." ADVERTISEMENT
Otago Daily Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Fat Freddy's Drop founder Chris Faiumu dies
Chris Faiumu. Photo: Sarah Hunter Chris Faiumu, the founder of the band Fat Freddy's Drop, has died. More widely known as Mu and DJ Fitchie, he was the man behind the band's signature sound. Fat Freddy's Drop's 2005 album Based On a True Story is the third-highest-selling album by a New Zealand artist. It remained on the Top 40 charts for two years. The band were also well known for their live improvised performances, and toured internationally. The band celebrated their 25th anniversary last year. Tributes for the musician have been posted social media, with people sharing warm stories about his career, and grief at his passing.
Otago Daily Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Founder of Fat Freddy's Drop dies
Chris Faiumu. Photo: Sarah Hunter Chris Faiumu, the founder of the band Fat Freddy's Drop, has died. More widely known as Mu and DJ Fitchie, he was the man behind the band's signature sound. Fat Freddy's Drop's 2005 album Based On a True Story is the third-highest-selling album by a New Zealand artist. It remained on the Top 40 charts for two years. The band were also well known for their live improvised performances, and toured internationally. The band celebrated their 25th anniversary last year. Tributes for the musician have been posted social media, with people sharing warm stories about his career, and grief at his passing.
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Dani Josie Sends A Strong Message With Latest Pop-punk Single ‘Suckerpunch'
19-year-old Aotearoa pop-punk artist Dani Josie sends a strong message with the release of her latest single 'Suckerpunch'. The upbeat catchy track is an empowering anthem of strength for anyone who's been bullied. Josie's track empowers everyone to be themselves, especially those who have been subjected to 'mean girls', who thrive on tearing others down. 'Suckerpunch is about refusing to let that kind of behaviour define you anymore. It's a message to anyone who only knows how to throw punches – emotional or otherwise – that their games and tricks just don't work anymore,' says Josie. Josie wants her listeners to feel powerful and uplifted when they listen to the track, especially if they've gone through similar things. Inspired by Bon Jovi's 'It's My Life', Josie wanted to capture that same strong and unstoppable energy with her own words and from her own experiences. 'I've been on the receiving end of bullying, but I'm still here, and now I'm stronger than ever.' Co-written by legendary producer Devin Abrams (Drax Project, Six60, Fat Freddy's Drop), the song was built around that energy and honesty. 'Dani came into the studio knowing exactly the message and energy she wanted this track to have. Her powerful vocals and storytelling has crafted this song into an absolute anthem,' says Abrams. With 'Suckerpunch', Josie's creative process has shifted from writing from a place of vulnerability to a place of strength. 'It's been super empowering, and I think it's opened a new chapter in my sound and storytelling.' 'Suckerpunch' is available on all streaming platforms now.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Turn Up The Music, Roll Up Your Sleeve - New Zealand Blood Service Drop The Beats For Donation
Every superhero needs a theme tune, but New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) believes the best ones deserve a whole playlist. In celebration of National Blood Donor Week, NZBS has created a series of 'Blood Bangers' and 'Plasma Playlists' on Spotify with the help of some Kiwi legends. 'There are quite a few similarities between the world's most iconic superheroes and blood and plasma donors,' says New Zealand Blood Service's Marketing Communications Advisor, Ximena Smith. 'They're usually anonymous, they're known for being selfless, and most importantly, they save lives. Only 4% of the eligible population in New Zealand are regular donors, but every year they save or improve the lives of more than 30,000 people nationwide.' Timed to roughly last the length of time spent in the chair for either a whole blood or plasma donation, the playlists have been crafted by familiar names such as Tiki Taane, Fat Freddy's Drop, Shapeshifter, Erin Simpson and SYSCA's Lucy Blakiston, amongst others. Blood donors spend at least five minutes in a comfy reclining donor chair, while plasma donors get around 30-45 minutes of pure uninterrupted chill time. This means a donation is the perfect time to sit back, relax, discover some new music or hit play on your all-time favourite tunes. Whilst the big names have gotten the ball rolling, NZBS needs Aotearoa's help to create the perfect musical mix for superhero donors. It wants the guaranteed mood boosters; the slow, the soulful, the sing-alongs, and the downright party anthems. Drop the title of the song you would choose to power you through a lifesaving donation on the latest NZBS Instagram or Facebook post and together let's create the ultimate soundtrack! If you'd like to join NZBS' marvellous donor universe, start saving lives, and have the perfect reason to listen along to some Blood Bangers, check your eligibility or book an appointment by downloading the NZ Blood App, visiting or calling 0800 448 325. Blood Bangers Erin Simpson Lucy Blakiston SACHI Shapeshifter Stacey Leilua Theo Shakes Tiki Taane Plasma Playlists Fat Freddy's Drop Nico Porteous Sly Chaos The Black Seeds Troy Kingi About New Zealand Blood Service New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) in a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand. We rely on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by our health services to save thousands of lives. NZBS also provides cell and tissue products and related services to meet public health needs and maintains national oversight of organ donation and distribution.
