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 one of the largest-selling albums ever by a New Zealand artist. It remained on the Top 40 charts for two years.
The band was also well known for its live improvised performances and toured internationally, celebrating its 25th anniversary last year.
Fat Freddy's Drop paid tribute to Faiumu, calling it a "seismic shift in our world."
They said tears flowed on hearing of his death, calling his music "miraculous", and known throughout Aotearoa and the world.
The band said he was the star by which it "navigated across the sea", and the "crown of flowers that adorned [their'] heads" was forever broken by his passing.
The band sent alofa to the Faiumu and Duckworth aiga, and to Faiumu's wider aiga of friends and fans worldwide.
"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."
Tributes for the musician were also posted on social media, with people sharing warm stories about his career, and grief at his passing.
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