The legacy of Fat Freddy's legend DJ Mu lives on - daughter

Mia Faiumu, daughter of Fat Freddy's Drop’s 'DJ Mu', has thanked the iconic New Zealand band for giving her father's “genius” a lasting stage.

Faiumu accepted the Creative NZ Award at Thursday's Pacific Music Awards on behalf of her late father Christopher Faiumu to resounding applause from the audience.

"I am the only child of Christopher Faiumu and Nicole Duckworth," Mia began, “and it’s an honour, a privilege, to accept this award on behalf of my father.”

Christopher Faiumu, aka DJ Mu, died in July, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped Aotearoa’s music scene.

Hailed as one of the country’s most iconic and influential artists, he co-founded Fat Freddy’s Drop, the group that broke through with their debut album Based on a True Story.

Released in 2005, it went gold instantly, spent 10 weeks at number 1, and earned the group multiple New Zealand Music Awards that year.

Though Mu never led the band as a singer, his rhythmic foundations and sampling skills formed the backbone of Fat Freddy’s distinctive sound.

In introducing the award, Creative NZ described him as a “legendary DJ, music producer, sound engineer, and one of the coolest people ever in NZ music.”

During her speech, Faiumu said her father had a game-changing impact on Aotearoa’s independent music scene.

“Fat Freddy’s Drop has helped pave the way for independent music here in Aotearoa. This award recognises those creating innovative, contemporary Pacific music, and Dad epitomised that in every sense.”

She also took a moment to thank her mother for nurturing her father’s “creativity and genius.”

“It’s been a really intense past month," Mia said, "and to see the love that’s been out there for dad, and now to have this award…is amazing.”