Che Fu honoured in Auckland

JOHN SELKIRK/Dominion Post

HONGI FOR A HIP-HOP ICON: Che Fu receives a hongi from Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand at Goverment House in Auckland.

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Fat Freddy's Drop will tell you that they do it for the love of music and it seems that really is the case for New Zealand hip-hop icon Che Fu.

The music industry veteran was today among 16 outstanding New Zealanders to be honoured at the picturesque Government House in Auckland as he became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The man who burst onto the New Zealand music scene with Supergroove said the secret to his success was his passion for his craft.

"New Zealand is kind of a place where people will always make music for the music's sake first," he said.

Half Maori, half Niuen, Che Fu said that while this meant that even the most successful musicians in New Zealand would have to hold down second jobs, it's what helps them to "keep it real".

"More times than not, people who get into music here kind of like the music for its own merits," he said.

"I think in that way it's always been healthy here but ... the music industry is definitely struggling internationally and it's definitely affecting us here but, like I say, most musos here who make hits all have real jobs as well."

One of New Zealand's most decorated hip-hop stars, who received Single, Songwriter and Vocalist of the year at the 1997 New Zealand music awards, Che Fu said Kiwi rapper didn't buy into the US model of feuds and outrageous antics to garner publicity - at least for now.

The man behind hits such as Chains, Fade Away, Misty Frequencies and Hold Tight said the secret to his success, and the fact that he was the youngest award recipient, was that he had been around for so long.

Accompanied by his family, including his partner Angela McDonald and their son Loxmyn and his parents Miriama and Unity Pacific band member and father Tigi, Che Fu said he never expected to receive such an honour.

The iconic entertainer said that keeping that passion is what it takes to be a successful artist and to survive in the financially prudent New Zealand market.

"Love the music for itself, if you enjoy playing the music really, really stick to that ethic of just playing music and loving it for itself. The rest will come later. Yeah man, definitely love the music."

For all the fans out there wondering what's next, Che Fu said he had a new single he was putting the finishing touches on in his home studio in Grey Lynn, from an upcoming album.

- © Fairfax NZ News