Che Fu
{{Short description|New Zealand singer, songwriter and producer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Che Fu
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM|size=100%}}
| image = Che Fu MNZM (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Fu in 2009
| birth_name = Che Kuo Eruera Ness{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/music-and-business-go-together-for-mr-fu/B7VPMOSV4YMGVSBK4REZPMNT64/ |title=Music and business go together for 'Mr Fu' |date=1 June 2009 |work=New Zealand Herald |first=Eloise |last=Gibson}}
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1974}}
| death_date =
| origin = Auckland, New Zealand
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|reggae|soul|funk|R&B}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|rapper|record producer}}
| years_active = 1989–present
| label = Sony/BMG
| associated_acts = Supergroove, DLT, Dam Native, King Kapisi, Aaradhna
| website = Facebook
[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Che-Fu-The-Musician/125613550835620 Che Fu The Musician]
| current_members =
| past_members =
}}
Che Kuo Eruera Ness {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM}} (born 1974), better known by his stage name Che Fu, is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and producer. A founding member of the band Supergroove, as a solo artist he has gone on to sell thousands of albums both in New Zealand and internationally. Che Fu is considered a pioneer of hip hop and Pasifika music in New Zealand.
Early life
File:Che Fu MNZM investiture.jpg
Che Fu was born Che Ness in Auckland. His mother, Miriama Rauhihi Ness is of Māori descent and his father Tigilau Ness is Niuean. Fu's parents are well-known political activists, notably as members of the Polynesian-rights group, the Polynesian Panthers, and founding members of Rastafarian movement 12 Tribes of Israel.{{cite web|last=Hewitson|first=Michele|title=Religion more than dope, dreadlocks|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=3007164|work=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=24 May 2014}}{{cite web|last=Russell|first=Nicola|title=Che Fu remembers his roots|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/4508260/Che-Fu-remembers-his-roots|work=Sunday News|access-date=24 May 2014}} Tigilau is a musician and part of the band Unity Pacific as well as his son's band, The Krates. The Ness family are Rastafarians.
Career
= Supergroove (1994–1996) =
While a student at Western Springs College, Fu and a group of friends formed the Low Down Dirty Blues Band,{{Cite web|url=http://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/che-fu|title=Che Fu – AudioCulture|website=audioculture.co.nz|access-date=19 January 2018}} who later became Supergroove.{{cite web|last=Fox|first=Michael|title=Che Fu honoured in Auckland|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/2870999/Che-Fu-honoured-in-Auckland|work=Stuff|access-date=24 May 2014}} Supergroove released their debut album Traction in 1994. The album went triple platinum in New Zealand and won five Tuis.{{cite web|title=1995 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1995-winners/|work=New Zealand Music Awards|access-date=23 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016004941/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1995-winners/|archive-date=16 October 2013}} Before finishing their second album, Backspacer, Fu left Supergroove to pursue a solo career.{{cite web|title=Che Fu fired up and ready to Supergroove|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/41008/Che-Fu-fired-up-and-ready-to-Supergroove|work=Sunday News|access-date=23 May 2014}}
= Solo career (1996–1997) =
Fu was invited to record a single with well-known New Zealand DJ DLT. The song "Chains" protested French nuclear testing in the Pacific and was released in July 1996, within weeks of Fu leaving Supergroove. "Chains" was a Number One hit on the New Zealand Singles Charts and won three Tuis, namely Single of the year, Best male vocalist, and Best songwriter.{{cite web|title=1997 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1997-winners/|work=New Zealand Music Awards|access-date=23 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016024252/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1997-winners/|archive-date=16 October 2013}} This marked the beginning of Fu's solo career and brought prominence to Hip Hop in New Zealand.
= ''2b S.Pacific'' (1998–2000) =
In 1998 Fu released his debut album 2b S.Pacific. The album went double platinum and spawned four top-ten hits, which was unheard-of for a local hip hop artist at the time. The following year, he received the Single of the year award for Scene III.{{cite web|title=1999 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1999-winners/|work=New Zealand Music Awards|access-date=23 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613172239/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1999-winners/|archive-date=13 June 2011}} Fu subsequently formed a band named The Krates for studio work and live performances. Paul Russell, previous drummer for Supergroove, is part of The Krates line-up.{{cite web|title=Eight bio|url=http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/301/eight|work=New Zealand Musicians & Bands|publisher=muzic.net.nz|access-date=24 May 2014}}
= ''Navigator'' (2001–2003) =
Fu released his follow-up album Navigator in 2001, debuting at number one and generating triple platinum sales.{{cite web|title=Hi-Score: The best of Che Fu|url=http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/24131/hi-score-the-best-of-che-fu.html?full=1|access-date=23 May 2014}} At the 2002 New Zealand Music Awards, Fu took home five Tui awards: Single of the year for "Fade Away", Album of the year, Top male vocalist, Best R&B / Hip hop album, and Best music video.{{cite web|title=2002 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/2002-winners/|work=New Zealand Music Awards|publisher=nzmusicawards.co.nz|access-date=24 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023062225/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/2002-winners/|archive-date=23 October 2013}} That same year, Fu received the APRA Silver Scroll for his single "Misty Frequencies".{{cite web|title=Silver Scroll Award|url=http://www.apra.co.nz/apra-awards/apra-silver-scroll-awards/silver-scroll-award.aspx|work=APRA|publisher=apra.co.nz|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604082639/http://apra.co.nz/apra-awards/apra-silver-scroll-awards/silver-scroll-award.aspx|archive-date=4 June 2014|url-status=dead}} He went on to win Best male vocalist in 2003 for "Misty Frequencies".{{cite web|title=2003 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/2003-winners/|work=New Zealand Music Awards|publisher=nzmusicawards.co.nz|access-date=24 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523112635/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/2003-winners/|archive-date=23 May 2010}}
= ''Beneath the Radar'' and ''Hi-Score: The Best of Che Fu'' (2005–2007) =
Fu's next album Beneath the Radar was released in 2005, led out by singles "2D" and "Lightwork". However, the record was not as successful as previous works. The following year Fu released Hi-Score – The Best of Che Fu, a compilation of hit singles from his previous three albums including "Fade Away", "Waka" and "Without a Doubt", as well as four new singles.
= Collaborations (2008) =
Fu teamed up with the Glass Packaging Forum to promote glass recycling with youth. The Forum hosted a competition for 9- to 15-year-olds to write rap lyrics encouraging recycling.{{Cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0906/S00203/pick-it-up-youth-concert-promotes-recycling.htm|title=Pick It Up Youth Concert Promotes Recycling {{!}} Scoop News|website=www.scoop.co.nz|access-date=19 January 2018}} The winners recorded their lyrics with Fu in a single called "Do the krusher".{{cite web|title=Class Rap|publisher=Glass Packaging Forum|url=http://www.glassforum.org.nz/classrap_08.html|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114061817/http://www.glassforum.org.nz/classrap_08.html|archive-date=14 January 2015|url-status=dead}}
Fu also collaborated with Kimbra and hip hop group Nesian Mystik on their top-ten single "Mr Mista".{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/che-fu-mn0000865278/songs|title=Che-Fu {{!}} Songs {{!}} AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=19 January 2018}}
= Hedlok (2010–2013) =
Che Fu & The Krates continued to tour New Zealand and Australia. As well, Fu performs alongside another hip hop legend, Samoan rapper King Kapisi as one-half of the group Hedlok.{{cite web|title=Hedlok on Facebook|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hedlok-Che-Fu-King-Kapisi/203222996389076|work=Hedlok|publisher=facebook.com|access-date=24 May 2014}}{{Primary source inline|date=October 2019}}
= Lifetime Achievement Award (2014) =
Fu's contribution to New Zealand music was recognised when he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Pacific Music Awards.{{cite web|title=Lifetime Achievement Award announced|url=http://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/index.php/news/filter_tags/2014+Lifetime+Achievement+Award/|work=Pacific Music Awards|publisher=pacificmusicawards.org.nz|access-date=24 May 2014}}
Personal life
In 2011, Fu and his father Tigilau were featured in a documentary for Māori TV in which they travelled to their homeland of Mutalau, Niue for the first time together. While in Niue, Fu married his long-time partner Angela McDonald.{{cite web|title=Sons from afar|url=http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/pakipumeka-aotearoa/S01E001/sons-afar|work=Maoritelevision.com|access-date=23 May 2014}} Fu and his wife have four sons, Loxmyn, Marley, Jeru, and Kaselle, whom they are raising in the Rastafarian faith.{{cite web|title=Che Fu remembers his roots|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/4508260/Che-Fu-remembers-his-roots|access-date=24 May 2014}}
Fu is also a serious sneaker collector. Fu developed his love for sneakers in 1989 when he purchased his first pair of Air Jordan IV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElLDUYzhdo4&t=60|title=NZ Sneakerheads Documentary|date=Jun 11, 2013|website=YouTube}} Along with a few of his friends, including Dj Sir-vere, they created the PacHeat Crew and regularly organises the biggest sneaker swap meet events in New Zealand. One of his favourite sneakers is Air Jordan IV Retro Black Laser which he stated in New Zealand Sneakerhead Documentary 2021. {{cite web|title=New Zealand Sneakerhead Documentary 2021| website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEP0gNH35cY}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Details ! Peak chart ! rowspan="2" | Certifications |
|---|
| NZ{{cite web|title=CHE FU IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Che+Fu|work=charts.nz|access-date=23 May 2013}} |
| 1998
|
|align=center | 2 | |
| 2001
|
|align=center | 1 | |
| 2005
|
|align=center | 7 | |
==With Supergroove==
{{mainlist|Supergroove}}
- Traction (1994) BMG
- Backspacer (1996) BMG
- Postage (2003) BMG
= Singles =
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Year ! rowspan=2 | Single ! colspan=2 |Peak chart ! rowspan=2 | Album | |
| NZ
! AUS | |
|---|---|
| 1996
|align="center"| 1 | - |
| 1997
| "The Son" (Dam Native & Che Fu) |align="center"| 25 | - |
| rowspan=2 | 1998
| "Scene III" |align="center"| 4 | -
| rowspan=3 | 2b S.Pacific |
| "Without a Doubt" / "Machine Talk"
|align="center"| 1 | - |
| 1999
| "Waka" |align="center"| 6 | - |
| rowspan=2 | 2001
| "Fade Away..." |align="center"| 2 | 72
| rowspan=3 | Navigator |
| "Random"
|align="center"| 19 | - |
| 2002
| "Misty Frequencies" |align="center"| 10 | - |
| 2003
| "U Can't Resist Us" (King Kapisi feat. Che Fu) |align="center"| 9 | - |
| 2005
| "2D" |align="center"| — | -
| rowspan="2" | Beneath the Radar |
| 2006
| "Lightwork" |align="center"| — | - |
| 2006
| "Spin 1" (Che Fu feat. Aaradhna) |align="center"| 20 | - |
| align=center colspan=5 | "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country. |
Honours and awards
- 2002 – APRA Silver Scroll Awards: Che Ness (Che Fu) and Godfrey de Grut, "Misty Frequencies"
- 2009 – Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to music, in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours{{cite web |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2009 |title=Queen's Birthday honours list 2009 |date=1 June 2010 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=16 January 2020}}
- 2014 – Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award
= RIANZ Awards =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Work ! As !Result |
|---|
| rowspan=2|1995
| Album of the Year | Traction | {{won}} |
| Single of the Year
| "Can't Get Enough" | {{nom}} |
| 1996
| International Achievement | | {{nom}} |
| rowspan=3|1997
| Single of the Year | "Chains" | DLT feat Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Best Male Vocalist
| "Chains" | | {{won}} |
| Best Songwriter
| "Chains" | Dl Thompson, C Ness, A McNaughton, K Rangihuna | {{won}} |
| rowspan=3|1999
| Single of the Year | "Scene III" | Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Album of the Year
| 2b S Pacific | | {{nom}} |
| Best Producer
| 2b S Pacific | Che Fu & Andy Morton | {{nom}} |
| rowspan=6|2002
| Album of the Year | Navigator | Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Single of the Year
| "Fade Away" | Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Top Male Vocalist
| Navigator | Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Best R&B/Hip Hop Album
| Navigator | Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Best Songwriter
| "Fade Away" | Che Fu | {{nom}} |
| Best Cover Design
| "Fade Away" | Che Fu and Kelvin Soh | {{nom}} |
| rowspan=4 | 2003
| Single of the Year | "Misty Frequencies" | Che Fu | {{nom}} |
| Best Male Vocalist
| "Misty Frequencies" | Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Best Music Video
| "Misty Frequencies" | Che Fu | {{won}} |
| Songwriter of the Year
| "Misty Frequencies" | Che Fu | {{nom}} |
| 2006
| Best Male Solo Artist | Beneath the Radar | Che Fu | {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/che-fu AudioCulture profile]
- [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Che-Fu-The-Musician/125613550835620 Che Fu The Musician]
- [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/bf62bfbd-3038-4313-9b2a-a7d36fded570.html MusicBrainz Page]
- {{Instagram|che_fu}}
{{Supergroove}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fu, Che}}
Category:New Zealand people of Niuean descent
Category:New Zealand Māori musicians
Category:New Zealand hip-hop musicians
Category:Hip-hop record producers
Category:New Zealand singer-songwriters
Category:Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Category:Musicians from Auckland