Chris Faiumu, also known as Mu or DJ Fitchie, was the founding producer, selector, and creative force behind the influential New Zealand band Fat Freddy's Drop. He passed away unexpectedly in July 2025 at the age of 54. Faiumu was a pioneer of Wellington's underground music scene, known for blending soul, reggae, dub, and electronic music, and was instrumental in the band's success.
We DJed battled as “late teens” at the station and then at a few clubs.
Of course I had a few pre-release FFD tunes before FFD and played them on-air.
And I also visited the record store Chris worked at.
I also visited the studio in Lyall Bay lots.
Shared knowledge on music tech and of course love of good coffee from Wellington’s Havana Coffee.
Listen to Hope For A Generation : https://fatfreddysdrop.bandcamp.com/track/hope-for-a-generation
For Wellington, yes I want Chris to be remembered. In music, via radio shows, gigs and more.
Should the Freddy's continue recording - yes. And touring - yes, with guests.
More recently, December 2024 I saw him and FFD in Bristol, England. The gig was phenomenal and fantastic. Many new tracks and old.
Read the tribute from Radio New Zealand here, it has more great photos, videos and music and tributes about Chris : https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/dj-mu-has-died-he-was-the-producer-and-pulse-of-fat-freddy-s-drop
Around 2009/2010 in the UK I did a podcast with Mu, when FFD came to Bristol at the 02.
This interview was broadcast locally on community radio stations (of course) and put up online
which you can listen and share here:
https://www.mixcloud.com/samdownie/fat-freddys-drop-on-bristolsounds/
Behind the interview, we knew more together. We caught up. I also worked on remixes of tracks too.
Chris and I were the same age.
Around 2009/2010 in the UK I did a podcast with Mu, when FFD came to Bristol at the 02.
This interview was broadcast locally on community radio stations (of course) and put up online
which you can listen and share here:
https://www.mixcloud.com/samdownie/fat-freddys-drop-on-bristolsounds/
Behind the interview, we knew more together. We caught up. I also worked on remixes of tracks too.
Chris and I were the same age.
For Wellington, yes I want Chris to be remembered. In music, via radio shows, gigs and more.
Should the Freddy's continue recording - yes. And touring - yes, with guests.
Listen to this show from Radio NZ from late 2024 with MU aka Chris : https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/thesampler/audio/2018961223/good-things-take-time-mu-from-fat-freddy-s-drop-talks-slo-mo
And with the new recording studio in central Wellington, it should be named after him - Faiumu Studios
Perhaps it could become a great recording facility for the city and also an educational facility too, to train up - the Freddy’s of tomorrow.
Chur to Chris/Mu, the Akai Sampler legend producer/composer/programmer.
RIP Chris Faiumu
Podcast > https://www.mixcloud.com/samdownie/fat-freddys-drop-on-bristolsounds/
Remix of Pull the Catch > https://soundcloud.com/dsoundzmusic/pull-the-catch-fat-freddys
And with the new recording studio in central Wellington, it should be named after him - Faiumu Studios
Perhaps it could become a great recording facility for the city and also an educational facility too, to train up - the Freddy’s of tomorrow.
Chur to Chris/Mu, the Akai Sampler legend producer/composer/programmer.
RIP Chris Faiumu
Podcast > https://www.mixcloud.com/samdownie/fat-freddys-drop-on-bristolsounds/
Remix of Pull the Catch > https://soundcloud.com/dsoundzmusic/pull-the-catch-fat-freddys