Che Fu

Che Fu
Birth name	Che Rauhihi-Ness[1]
Born	1974 (age 36–37)
Origin	Aotearoa, New Zealand
Genres	Hip Hop, Reggae, Soul, Funk
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Sony/BMG
Associated acts	Supergroove
Website	facebook Che Fu The Musician

Che Fu MNZM is a New Zealand Hip hop/R&B and Reggae recording artist and producer.^[2] Originally one part of the band Supergroove, as a solo artist he has gone on to sell thousands of albums both in New Zealand and internationally, including in Australia and the UK.

History

Fu is one of New Zealand's most successful male vocalists.^{[citation needed]} He began his music career at Western Springs College with a group of friends in forming the Low Down Dirty Blues Band, which went on to change their name to Supergroove.^[2] While a member of Supergroove, Fu went by his birth name, Che Ness.

Supergroove's award-winning debut album Traction went triple platinum in New Zealand. Supergroove struggled with the success of Traction, and soon altered their musical style. Follow-up EP Tractor introduced a heavy rock influence, and although Ness was still a band member, his interest in hip-hop and reggae was running against the evolution of Supergroove. Before recording their second and final album, Backspacer, Supergroove significantly altered their line-up. Ness was one of three casualties and turned his attentions to hip-hop.

One of Fu's early hip-hop shows was billed as "Che-Fu", a take on kung-fu. Although not originally intended as a new name to record under, it stuck. The hyphen seems to come and go - it is used on one of three album covers. Within weeks of leaving Supergroove, Fu was invited to record a single with DJ DLT. The result, Chains, focussed on French nuclear tests in the South Pacific, and was a New Zealand number 1.

In 1998 Fu released his debut solo album 2b S.Pacific with BMG. At the 1997 New Zealand Music Awards he received the single of the year, songwriter of the year and male vocalist of the year awards. He then signed to Sony Music and began work for his next album Navigator released in 2001. He also formed an eight piece live band called The Krates. 2005's Beneath the Radar was led out by singles 2D and Lightwork. He has now released a Best Of album Hi-Score: The Best Of Che-Fu.

Fu is the son of Miriama, and one New Zealand's founding reggae musicians, Unity Pacific (Tigilau Ness).^[2] Tigilau is a a full-blooded Niuean who came from the village of Mutalau. Fu is half Māori, half Niuean. He and wife Angela McDonald have a son Loxmyn.^[2] Fu and Angela got married at Uluvehi, Mutalau, Niue on Thursday 28 April 2011, they have 4 sons.

In 2008, Fu teamed up with the Glass Packaging Forum to promote glass recycling with youth. They hosted a competition for 9 to 15 year olds to write rap lyrics to encourage recycling, and the winner would record their lyrics with Fu.^[3]

Awards

• 1997 New Zealand Music Awards - Winner of "Single of the Year", "Songwriter of the Year", and "Male Vocalist of the Year".^[2]
• 2002 New Zealand Music Awards - Winner of "Top Male Vocalist", "R&B and Hip-Hop", "People's Choice Award", "Single of the Year" and "Album of the Year".
• 2009 Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit ^[2]

Discography

Albums

With Supergroove

• Traction (1994)
• Postage - The Best Of (2003)

Solo

• 2b S.Pacific (1998)
• Navigator (2001)
• Beneath the Radar (2005)
• Hi-Score - The Best Of Che Fu (2006)

References

1. ^ Fox, Michael (17 September 2009). "Che Fu: Thanks to grandma and aunty". The Dominion Post. http://www.stuff.co.nz/2872675/. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Fox, Michael (16 September 2009). "Che Fu honoured in Auckland". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/2870999/Che-Fu-honoured-in-Auckland. Retrieved 2009-09-16. 
3. ^ "Che Fu Raps It Up For Glass Recycling". Scoop. 20 February 2008. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00245.htm. Retrieved 10 April 2008. 

External links

• Official website
• Che Fu The Musician
• MusicBrainz Page
• myspace chefunz

Persondata
Name	Fu, Che
Alternative names
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Date of birth	1974
Place of birth
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