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[quote]
quote:
Auckland musician Pauly Fuemana, who found fame with the hit song How Bizarre, has died. The 40-year-old died at North Shore Hospital just after 7.00am on Sunday, after a short illness.


http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/bizarre-s-pauly-fuemana-dies-3346027

Wow! Sad
[quote]
*Waits for the obvious joke*
[quote]
How did that tune do so well?
[quote]
Proof said:
How did that tune do so well?


catchy as hell?
[quote]
dalai said:
*Waits for the obvious joke*

But isn't it just? Wonder what the cause was.

*waits for obvious joke posted as if no one had already alluded to it..clap clap in advance*
[quote]
How bizarre































sorry Razz





[quote]
at least - during his short life - he earned lots of money and spent even more
[quote]
some bastard stole ma car.
[quote]
Parents saw him a couple of months ago out and about and said he looked real ill - having to be helped around etc...
[quote]
Absolutely no good source but I was told drugs ruined him.
[quote]
Proof said:
How did that tune do so well?

Rolling Eyes
bit of respect....
[quote]
Proof said:
How did that tune do so well?


Catchy as all hell, resonated with Kiwis and was well marketed.

RIP.
[quote]
RIP Pauly
[quote]
I even heard it on the radio in Canada.
[quote]
It did very well overseas.
[quote]
Heard Nick talking to Simon Grigg on the radio this morning and apparently it pretty much took off on it's own.. the music video wasn't even made until the track was already #1! And then eventually topped the charts in at least 15 different countries.. wow.
[quote]
Novelty hit, one hit wonder.

Sorry for being salty.
[quote]
davil said:
It did very well overseas.


This, I was quite surprised to learn that a wide range of people in the UK had heard the song. Someone mentioned it at work one day and a quick survey revealed everyone on the floor knew of the song.
[quote]
Yup was used in a movie too yeah?

I think its kinda cool - brings back memories of the day.
[quote]
wendalls said:
I think its kinda cool - brings back memories of the day.


Any day in particular?
[quote]
quote:
Our second signing was OMC, via our connections with Alan Jansson, and Pauly's presence at The Box. How Bizarre of course was the result and it exploded beyond our wildest expectations, reaching number one on the US airplay chart and number one in over a dozen other countries, selling, if all the singles and albums are added together, almost four million records.

Unfortunately to our eternal regret, the demands of the project, and the cost of taking it worldwide forced us to sell master rights to PolyGram (now Universal) who (PolyGram and Universal NZ) proceeded to mishandle and generally make an appalling dogs breakfast of the project (although some fine folks, like now Universal MD, Adam Holt, played a huge role in the success, as did many of the harder working folks at the coalface in both companies) and Pauly's career as a whole. Pauly, until his untimely passing in January, 2010, remain one of the coolest artists we have ever worked with, and an enormous talent. He deserved much better. There is quite a book in it...partially written.


http://www.simongrigg.info/huhcat.htm

fond memories of OMC when atill a group not a solo artist opening for the headless chickens back in the day

[quote]
otari said:
Novelty hit, one hit wonder.

Sorry for being salty.

very much this, him dying doesn't change the facts, so calls for respect are misplaced.
[quote]
Smiley said:
very much this, him dying doesn't change the facts, so calls for respect are misplaced.


The fact that he was a very successful NZ musician? Confused
Insulting the dead is pretty weak imo.
[quote]
heh, although I agree with you, I'm kinda shocked that you have that view Yak Razz

[quote]
Pechora said:
Smiley said:
very much this, him dying doesn't change the facts, so calls for respect are misplaced.


The fact that he was a very successful NZ musician? Confused
Insulting the dead is pretty weak imo.


Proof implying that his tunes and/or taste must be better in a thread like this is the definition of weak imo
[quote]
oh come on, you are turning this into another music battle, "my music is better than yous, meh, meh, meh.."

it was a poppy, catchy tune that did well. not everyone has to like it though.

and he was a one hit wonder, whats so wrong about saying that? sure its sad someone has died, but by all accounts he lived a pretty crazy lifestyle. its not like he did something life altering or was a groundbreaking musician.

he had a pop hit. thats it.
[quote]
It's not like the people who are criticising his tune are doing anything groundbreaking as musicians themselves. There I said it. Razz
[quote]
fuck me...

On this website people make insulting jokes AS SOON as someone dies which I don't agree with, but I state (or quote in this case) a FACT and we're holier than thou?

The fact is OMC had airplay on bfm before How Bizzare, I'm not sure what that means, I liked some of what I heard, but there was nothing amazing about it, perhaps just a taster of what could become.
How Bizzare though was a break out pop hit, and the reasons it was successful were obvious to anyone who can look at music objectively. He attempted another hit with mild success by using the same formula (something about coming to the land of plenty) but any success it had was riding off the back of How Bizzare.
If he was mismanaged, bummer, but had he come up with another hit song I'm fairly certain we'd have heard about it.
[quote]
gummi_bear said:
heh, although I agree with you, I'm kinda shocked that you have that view Yak Razz


Heh I just never understood one-hit wonder hate Razz If someone makes one awesome song, cool, I'd like to listen to that song.. And if millions of other people worldwide do too, so be it. I don't think the musician owes me a follow up heh. If we were talking about someone who's actually a douche, then I'd be first in line to ensure we weren't glamorising them just because of death though Wink
[quote]
Calling someone a one-hit wonder is not hating on them, it's stating a fact. A well-known phenomenon. There is not malice or feeling of any kind behind it. That is you projecting your feelings into the word.
[quote]
Frankly, I have as much respect for him as a do for Right Said Fred. Which isn't to bash any of them - just to point out that they were both mid-90s one hit wonders and nothing more. There are many more important and influential NZ musicians and composers to celebrate.

Ps - everyone outside NZ thought OMC were Mexican.
[quote]
otari said:

Ps - everyone outside NZ thought OMC were Mexican.


I can understand that. The rest of the world can't decide if Cliff Curtis is Mexican, Columbian, Middle Eastern or American!
[quote]
Has there ever been a NZ single with more worldwide sales than How Bizarre?
[quote]
Adamal said:
otari said:

Ps - everyone outside NZ thought OMC were Mexican.


I can understand that. The rest of the world can't decide if Cliff Curtis is Mexican, Columbian, Middle Eastern or American!


And they think Tem Morrison is some sort of Mandalorian Bounty Hunter.
[quote]
He's lucky that he didn't ask Yoda to cook him some eggs...
[quote]
how long have you been waiting to use that joke?

Razz
[quote]
Jono said:
It's not like the people who are criticising his tune are doing anything groundbreaking as musicians themselves. There I said it. Razz

Are you implying..... - What was groundbreaking about his tune? Aside from the sales figures of course.
[quote]
otari said:
Novelty hit, one hit wonder.

Sorry for being salty.


Show some respect.
[quote]
Smiley said:
Calling someone a one-hit wonder is not hating on them, it's stating a fact. A well-known phenomenon. There is not malice or feeling of any kind behind it. That is you projecting your feelings into the word.


Laughing No, actually it's not just me projecting. There is a very clear derogatory subtext to such a claim, and if you can't see it then you're just being pretty hilariously naive. He even felt the need to apologise. What would be the point in coming in to matter-of-factly state that he was a one-hit wonder if there wasn't any derogatory intent? It doesn't make any sense.
[quote]
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth
[quote]
grinder said:
otari said:
Novelty hit, one hit wonder.

Sorry for being salty.


Show some respect.


Laughing
[quote]
Night Rider said:
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth


Uhh yeah it can be?
[quote]
Night Rider said:
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth


So going up to a really ugly person on the street and letting them know how ugly they are isn't disrespectful?

Cretins ITT imo.
[quote]
Jono said:
Has there ever been a NZ single with more worldwide sales than How Bizarre?


if you consider crowded house a NZ band then possibly, though I'm not sure they would beat OMC on sales (album vs single vs blah blah), airplay possibly




[quote]
Pechora said:
Night Rider said:
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth


So going up to a really ugly person on the street and letting them know how ugly they are isn't disrespectful?

Cretins ITT imo.

The disrespect comes from walking up to them and telling them. Why would you do that?
[quote]
Smiley said:
The disrespect comes from walking up to them and telling them. Why would you do that?


If you did that kind of thing, presumably it's because you're a disrespectful twat?
To insult someone publically when they've done nothing wrong? Smile Maybe it's just me.
[quote]
It's also pretty disrespectful to see a fugly on the street and say to your mate, "holy shit look at that ugly bitch!!"

Razz
[quote]
There was no insult in this thread.
[quote]
Smiley said:
Calling someone a one-hit wonder is not hating on them, it's stating a fact. A well-known phenomenon. There is not malice or feeling of any kind behind it. That is you projecting your feelings into the word.


agree with this. People making a mountain out of a mole hill ITT.
[quote]
Trolling perhaps.
[quote]
they must be bored.
[quote]
I tried to call in sick today (Well, by 'call' I mean 'email', and by 'sick' I mean 'was up playing poker all night, sorry I'm too tired') but my boss got super pissed and made me come in.

So yeah not in the best of moods heh Razz
[quote]
Pechora said:
I tried to call in sick today (Well, by 'call' I mean 'email', and by 'sick' I mean 'was up playing poker all night, sorry I'm too tired') but my boss got super pissed and made me come in.

So yeah not in the best of moods heh Razz


But it was totally fucking worth it Wink
[quote]
Adamal said:
But it was totally fucking worth it Wink


Yes, yes it was Very Happy
[quote]
quote:
There isn't a hip-hop, or pop, artists in this country -- unwittingly or otherwise -- who doesn't owe a debt of gratitude to Pauly Fuemana. He (and his late brother Phil) proved the impossible was within our grasp.

Some cynics will say Pauly only left one great song. But that is one more more than they and I -- and most of us -- will ever leave.

This is a sad day.


Graham Reid

http://publicaddress.net/6442#post6442 (great read for those who care)

shame on the media outlets who took their quotes from peoples tweeets without crediting the source
[quote]
Jono said:
wendalls said:
I think its kinda cool - brings back memories of the day.


Any day in particular?


dont be rude to your elders young man


(dont actually know if you are younger than me but heh)
[quote]
grinder said:
Night Rider said:
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth


Uhh yeah it can be?


so who's he being disespectful to?
[quote]
Jono said:
Has there ever been a NZ single with more worldwide sales than How Bizarre?
Savage's Swing did well over 1.5million copies in the US didn't it?
[quote]
Pechora said:
Night Rider said:
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth


So going up to a really ugly person on the street and letting them know how ugly they are isn't disrespectful?

Cretins ITT imo.


ugliness is all in the eye of the beholder so it would be an opininion and not a fact whereas OMC and Fuemana were one hit wonders - FACT - undeniable and true
[quote]
bfire said:
Jono said:
Has there ever been a NZ single with more worldwide sales than How Bizarre?
Savage's Swing did well over 1.5million copies in the US didn't it?


which is well short of OMC's 4million plus sales

I was always fond of this track off his album http://publicaddress.net/6442#post6442 (embedding disabled so Universal can get their pennies)

or for pre solo group styles check the Proud compilation - an essential piece of NZ music history


this is one fucked up thread



[quote]
wendalls said:
Jono said:
wendalls said:
I think its kinda cool - brings back memories of the day.


Any day in particular?


dont be rude to your elders young man


(dont actually know if you are younger than me but heh)


I doubt that I'm younger than you.
[quote]
bob daktari said:
bfire said:
Jono said:
Has there ever been a NZ single with more worldwide sales than How Bizarre?
Savage's Swing did well over 1.5million copies in the US didn't it?


which is well short of OMC's 4million plus sales

I was always fond of this track off his album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvPUBwU9nTI (embedding disabled so Universal can get their pennies)

or for pre solo group styles check the Proud compilation - an essential piece of NZ music history


this is one fucked up thread



[quote]
You don't need to quote yourself in order for people to realise you agree with.... yourself.
[quote]
he repeats himself when he's under stress he repeats himself when he's under stress
[quote]
bob daktari said:
which is well short of OMC's 4million plus sales

Woah, really should have checked before i posted... 4million single sales is an awesome acheivement for a New Zealand artist, he should be celebrated, one hit wonder or not.
[quote]
Night Rider said:
Pechora said:
Night Rider said:
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth


So going up to a really ugly person on the street and letting them know how ugly they are isn't disrespectful?

Cretins ITT imo.


ugliness is all in the eye of the beholder so it would be an opininion and not a fact whereas OMC and Fuemana were one hit wonders - FACT - undeniable and true


I would dispute that ugliness is entirely subjective (and I could cite several references Razz), but if you like, then switch "ugly" with "fat" Razz
[quote]
coked up trying to edit my post... as you were gentlemen
[quote]
lol @ NR grasping at straws Razz
[quote]
Jono said:
I doubt that I'm younger than you.


Dude, just cos you just turned 30 doesn't mean you get to play the "I'm older than all of you" card. Razz That is reserved for people like egor, bob-d and peat Froggy
[quote]
Pechora said:
Night Rider said:
I would dispute that ugliness is entirely subjective (and I could cite several references Razz), but if you like, then switch "ugly" with "fat" Razz


then it would be tactless and rude given that you were commenting to someone directly to their face about their appearance but making a statement of fact on a bulletin board involving noone directly is not disrespectful

[quote]
"One hit wonder" is not an insult - get over it guys!
[quote]
otari said:
Frankly, I have as much respect for him as a do for Right Said Fred. Which isn't to bash any of them - just to point out that they were both mid-90s one hit wonders and nothing more...

Right Said Fred were not one-hit-wonders. Even their 2nd album did well in some countries - Germany especially (for obvious reasons)

I'm Too Sexy : #2 in the UK, #1 on US Billboard chart

Don't Talk Just Kiss : #3 in the UK, #8 on US Billboard chart.

Deeply Dippy : #1 in the UK, #9 in the US Billboard chart.
[quote]
gummi_bear said:
lol @ NR grasping at straws Razz


it's known as doing a pechora
[quote]
FFS get right siad fred outta here

Pauly and OMC leaves a legacy way bigger than that song - he was from here, one of us....

didn't he work at the box as a glassie Rob?

[quote]
Night Rider said:
gummi_bear said:
lol @ NR grasping at straws Razz


it's known as doing a pechora


HEH :>
[quote]
I dunno Bob. I used to see him round town a bit.. although I wasn't in his crew ha ha.

I do have one of the very few 10" test pressings of the How Bizarre remixes.
[quote]
bob daktari said:
FFS get right siad fred outta here

Pauly and OMC leaves a legacy way bigger than that song - he was from here, one of us....

didn't he work at the box as a glassie Rob?



I'm to sexy for this thread, to sexy for this thread...

FUCK right said Fred!!!!!
[quote]
Night Rider said:
Pechora said:
Night Rider said:
it's not disrespectful to tell the truth


So going up to a really ugly person on the street and letting them know how ugly they are isn't disrespectful?

Cretins ITT imo.


ugliness is all in the eye of the beholder so it would be an opininion and not a fact whereas OMC and Fuemana were one hit wonders - FACT - undeniable and true


Man you're a fucktard - the point is about showing some tact.

[quote]
tact to whom? a dead man?

don't be ridiculous and so pretentious and hypocritical
[quote]
bob daktari said:
I was always fond of this track off his album http://publicaddress.net/6442#post6442 (embedding disabled so Universal can get their pennies)

or for pre solo group styles check the Proud compilation - an essential piece of NZ music history

this is one fucked up thread


Just grabbed the OMC tune at least, just because. I remember when that compilation came out. I remember quite liking Land of Plenty too. That Public Address post is a great read too.

An interesting point I'm reminded of by OMC's Amplifier artist page, is how much How Bizzare did for popularising the Urban Pacific sound in this country, taking it from the streets of South Auckland to a mainstream phenomenon that lives strongly to this day.

I agree it's fucked, but what do you expect from people that only know his one big hit? Most people posting here wouldn't have had fuck all insight into the NZ music scene at the time. You were there, others read about it/took an interest - most plebs didn't.
[quote]
grinder said:
Man you're a fucktard - the point is about showing some tact.


You're surprised by this?
[quote]
Night Rider said:
gummi_bear said:
lol @ NR grasping at straws Razz


it's known as doing a pechora


You've got a long way to go before you're ready for that, tbh...
[quote]
I don't intend to travel far down that route
[quote]
Night Rider said:
tact to whom? a dead man?

don't be ridiculous and so pretentious and hypocritical


You're starting to sound like Pechora. Cold, heartless logic Razz
[quote]
Stop making fucktard comments NR or piss off..
[quote]
bob daktari said:
how much How Bizzare did for popularising the Urban Pacific sound in this country


Errr, except for the fact that the song's hook is played by mariachi horns. OMC was seen as "Cypress Hil Lite" by the rest of the world - they were mexican guys making pop tunes as far as anyone else was concerned. Absolutely no one had any idea that they were from the South Pacific, and it was marketed that way with the video, which was made to look as latino-californian as possible. It just cracks me up that everyone is saying "Pauly put NZ on the map" when no one in the rest of the world even knew he was from NZ.
[quote]
Did you miss the "in this country" bit? I agree the horns are a bit removed, but plenty of the rest of it has a pacifica flavour.
[quote]
kris_b said:
Jono said:
I doubt that I'm younger than you.


Dude, just cos you just turned 30 doesn't mean you get to play the "I'm older than all of you" card. Razz That is reserved for people like egor, bob-d and peat Froggy


Uh huh - yOu are!

SHAMOLA...
[quote]
Yes I see what you mean about it popularizing the UrPac sound within NZ and I'll absolutely give you that (especially since I wasn't in NZ at the time). But aren't the overseas sales the reason why he's a hero? With its mariachi horns, the song did little to popularize the UrPac sound overseas.
[quote]
Nope, not just the overseas sales at all. Practically anyone who sells records in that market here today has him to thank for making the sound popular. He made it a lot easier for brown musicians to be taken seriously in the commercial arena.
[quote]
kris_b said:
Nope, not just the overseas sales at all. Practically anyone who sells records in that market here today has him to thank for making the sound popular. He made it a lot easier for brown musicians to be taken seriously in the commercial arena.


Cool I definitely hear that. I can agree with his importance within the NZ music community as someone who "paved the way" within NZ. I just wish he had followed through on the success of Bizarre with a solid body of work - it was all going so well.
[quote]
Night Rider said:
tact to whom? a dead man?

don't be ridiculous and so pretentious and hypocritical


Yeah - tact to a dead man. And to the people who have come into this thread to look back and/or mark their commiserations.
[quote]
Hi ,

a couple of things. Firstly he was not a one hit wonder. Right On was a platinum single and a hit in quite a few countries. Land of Plenty was also a gold record and his album went 1 1/2 platinum in the US and gold in many other countries

Secondly people outside NZ did NOT think he was Mexican. I sat in dozens of interviews with Pauly and he was very much known as a New Zealander and a Pacific Islander around the world. Cyress Hill light? Hell I must've missed that bit as he was announced on US hip-hop radio as South Auckland hip-hop, which I heard more than a few times.

But don't let facts get in the way.....
[quote]
grinder said:
Night Rider said:
tact to whom? a dead man?

don't be ridiculous and so pretentious and hypocritical


Yeah - tact to a dead man. And to the people who have come into this thread to look back and/or mark their commiserations.


ok I'll make this easy for you and for your cohorts

since it turned into a discussion of his legacy, (whatever that may be), otari's originating comment to the diatribe that I received defending it, is no more than a legitimate observation pertinent to it but open to debate, as asylum has seen fit to rebut

as such there can be no interpretation of disrespect
[quote]
asylum said:
Hi ,

a couple of things. Firstly he was not a one hit wonder. Right On was a platinum single and a hit in quite a few countries. Land of Plenty was also a gold record and his album went 1 1/2 platinum in the US and gold in many other countries

Secondly people outside NZ did NOT think he was Mexican. I sat in dozens of interviews with Pauly and he was very much known as a New Zealander and a Pacific Islander around the world. Cyress Hill light? Hell I must've missed that bit as he was announced on US hip-hop radio as South Auckland hip-hop, which I heard more than a few times.

But don't let facts get in the way.....


I certainly don't mean to offend any friends of the guy, but let's take a look at the tracklist for the Bizarre album, shall we?

2 - "How Bizarre"

6 - "Lingo with the Gringo"

7 - "She Loves Italian"

8 - "I Love LA"

Not exactly the most NZ centric songs are they? I'll give you Land of Plenty.

And as far as Right On, platinum in NZ is only 15,000 copies, and it didn't chart in any major countries outside NZ. On the Run peaked at #56 in the UK and didn't really even chart elsewhere. So yes, OMC were indeed one hit wonders to the outside world. But if you were friends with the guy, I'm sorry for his untimely demise.
[quote]
Fuck, your wanky way of writing has to be a pisstake NR Laughing Laughing
[quote]
otari said:
But if you were friends with the guy.


I think you'll find he very much was
[quote]
jesus wept

and so do I
[quote]
Fucks sake.
[quote]
otari said:
asylum said:
Hi ,

a couple of things. Firstly he was not a one hit wonder. Right On was a platinum single and a hit in quite a few countries. Land of Plenty was also a gold record and his album went 1 1/2 platinum in the US and gold in many other countries

Secondly people outside NZ did NOT think he was Mexican. I sat in dozens of interviews with Pauly and he was very much known as a New Zealander and a Pacific Islander around the world. Cyress Hill light? Hell I must've missed that bit as he was announced on US hip-hop radio as South Auckland hip-hop, which I heard more than a few times.

But don't let facts get in the way.....


I certainly don't mean to offend any friends of the guy, but let's take a look at the tracklist for the Bizarre album, shall we?

2 - "How Bizarre"

6 - "Lingo with the Gringo"

7 - "She Loves Italian"

8 - "I Love LA"

Not exactly the most NZ centric songs are they? I'll give you Land of Plenty.

And as far as Right On, platinum in NZ is only 15,000 copies, and it didn't chart in any major countries outside NZ. On the Run peaked at #56 in the UK and didn't really even chart elsewhere. So yes, OMC were indeed one hit wonders to the outside world. But if you were friends with the guy, I'm sorry for his untimely demise.


(Sorry to come back to this so late...)

100% wrong. Right On was a top twenty airplay record in Germany and other European nations. It was only released in a couple of other counties as a belated single because of that, hence it's radio run was over by the time it came out. It was a hit with huge airplay. It sold albums. Fact.

Secondly, aside from I Love La which was a record co add on and only on a few copies of the millions of albums sold, all those those songs are lyrically about Auckland. Brother Pele in How Bizarre was Soane Filitonga. Lingo was about a south Auckland guy coming into the city. She Loves Italian was about a girl Pauly and Alan talked to at an Auckland restaurant.

Like I said as said, lets not let facts get in the way.