Pauly Fuemana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pauly Fuemana
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| Background information | |
| Born | 8 February 1969 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Origin | Otara, New Zealand |
| Died | 31 January 2010 (aged 40) North Shore City, New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1992–2010 |
| Associated acts | OMC |
Pauly Fuemana (born February 8, 1969 – died January 31, 2010) was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician from Auckland, New Zealand. He was known for his unique style of hip-hop music. Pauly became one of New Zealand's most famous music stars in the 1990s.
He was born in Otara, South Auckland. His father was from Niue and his mother was Māori. Pauly grew up speaking Niuean as his first language. He loved making music with his brothers.
Pauly led a music group called the Otara Millionaires Club, or OMC. In 1996, their first album, How Bizarre, became a huge hit worldwide. The song "How Bizarre" was especially popular. The name OMC was a playful joke, as Otara was a very humble community. Pauly and his brother Phil Fuemana helped create a special music style called Urban Pasifika. They made it famous around the world.
"How Bizarre" was a massive success. It sometimes overshadowed Pauly's other great songs. These included "On the Run" and "Never Coming Back." Pauly faced some challenges with his record label. He also had a disagreement about music royalties. He spent time focusing on his wife, Kristine, and their six children. Pauly became unwell in the 2000s. He passed away in 2010, just before his 41st birthday. His music is still enjoyed today, even finding new fans on TikTok.
Early Life
Pauly Fuemana was born in Auckland, New Zealand. His parents were Takiula Fuemana and Olivia Hohaia. His father was from Niue, and his mother was Taranaki Māori. Pauly was the youngest of four children in his family.
He grew up in Otara, a suburb in South Auckland. This area has many people from Pacific Islander backgrounds.
OMC's Success
Pauly's older brother, Phil Fuemana, first started the Otara Millionaires Club. Pauly later took over and shortened the name to OMC. He worked with Alan Jansson, who helped write and produce the How Bizarre album. OMC signed with Huh Records in Auckland.
The band became famous worldwide in 1996 and 1997. This was thanks to their hit song "How Bizarre". It was the main song from their first album, also called How Bizarre. OMC and Alan Jansson stopped recording together in 1998. However, they worked together again from 2005 to 2007. They recorded a song called "4 all of us" with Lucy Lawless. Pauly donated his share of the money from this song to a good cause.
"How Bizarre" was named Single of the Year in 1996 at the New Zealand Music Awards. The song reached number one in many countries. These included the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. In 2002, "How Bizarre" was listed as one of the top "One-hit Wonders." It stayed at number one for weeks in several countries.
Pauly once explained the song's meaning. He said he put "hidden stories" in it. This allowed people to understand the song in their own way. Over a million copies of the How Bizarre album were sold. Pauly Fuemana is considered one of the most successful Polynesian artists ever. OMC's song "How Bizarre" was voted number 34 on the list of APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time.
Pauly's Passing
Pauly Fuemana passed away on January 31, 2010. He had been battling a long-term illness. He died at North Shore Hospital in North Shore City. His death happened just eight days before his 41st birthday. Pauly had been unwell for several years. He suffered from a neurological condition and also developed pneumonia.
He is survived by his wife, Kirstine Fuemana. They met in 1993 and married in 2002. He also left behind his six children.
Pauly's funeral was held on February 5, 2010. It took place at the Pacific Island Presbyterian Church in Newton, New Zealand. Many people attended, including other musicians and the mayor of Auckland Super city, Len Brown.
