Fat Freddy's Drop Founder Chris "Mu" Faiumu Passes Away
Mu's Fat Freddy's Drop bandmates described his musical contributions as “talismanic” and his passing as marking a “seismic shift” in their world.
Fat Freddy's Drop (Chris "Mu" Faiumu in the middle) (Source: Supplied)
Chris “Mu” Faiumu, the founder of the popular New Zealand soul and reggae powerhouse Fat Freddy’s Drop, has passed away.
Best known to fans as Mu or DJ Fitchie, he was behind the group’s signature sound. Last year, Fat Freddy’s Drop released their sixth album, SLO MO, and celebrated their 25th anniversary.
News of Mu’s passing was shared by his bandmates on social media today (18 July), who paid tribute to him by describing his musical contributions as “talismanic” and his passing as marking a “seismic shift” in their world.
“Our talismanic founding member, production maestro, selector and brother, Chris Ta’aloga Faiumu aka DJ MU aka Fitchie has unexpectedly passed away,” the group wrote.
“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. We ask please that you all respect everyone’s privacy during this difficult time. Hold tight.”
Adding that “tears flowed” after discovering news of his passing, the group said he was the star by which they “navigated across the sea,” and the “crown of flowers that adorned [their] heads” was forever broken by his passing.
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You can read the remainder of their tribute to Mu below.
Ua maligi loimata i le maua mai o le tala ua fa i lagi lau malaga Chris Ta’aloga Faiumu … DJ MU … Fitchie. O suafa uma nei na lauīloa ai oe ma ōu galuega fa’aofoofogia i tagata fai musika uma i Aotearoa ma le lalolagi atoa. Ua goto le fetū āo, peāu o le vasa, ua motusia le pale sa matou tiu ai Brother ina ua e fai malaga. Alofa atu mo aiga Faiumu ma Duckworth, atoa ma aiga o lo’o tagi mai i ala. Ia manuia lau malaga Chris.
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. The star by which we navigated across the sea has gone and the crowns of flowers that adorned our heads are forever broken since you journeyed Brother. Much love for the Faiumu and Duckworth families, as well as those family members who can only cry from afar. May your journey be blessed Chris.
Fat Freddy’s Drop’s 2005 album, Based On A True Story, is the third-highest selling album by a New Zealand artist in the country’s history.
The band have toured across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and elsewhere throughout their 25-year career. They last played in Australia in March of this year.
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