Che Fu will be the newest inductee into the Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
Announced by Recorded Music NZ today (May 14th), the Aotearoa hip-hop legend will be officially inducted at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards ceremony, which will be held at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau on Thursday, May 28th.
The ceremony will feature a live medley performance by Che and his band The Kratez, featuring some of his most iconic songs.
A true hip-hop pioneer in Aotearoa, Che is best known for hits such as “Chains” and “Misty Frequencies”, the former of which was included in our Best Australian & New Zealand Songs of the 21st Century So Far list last year.
It’s the ideal time for Che’s Hall of Fame induction, with his second album, Navigator, celebrating its 25th birthday this year. A limited edition 25th anniversary silver vinyl reissue of Navigator is set for release on May 22nd.
He was previously inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of Supergroove in 2014.
Of his Hall of Fame induction, Recorded Music CEO Jo Oliver says: “It is a privilege to welcome Che Fu into Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa | the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. Che’s legacy has shaped and is embedded in the musical culture of Aotearoa as a true pioneer of hip hop and Pasifika music, paving the way for generations to follow, and showing that hip-hop can find mainstream success.
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“Recorded Music NZ is honoured to take this opportunity to recognise Che’s enduring influence and incredible catalogue of recordings.”
The finalists for the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards were revealed last month.
Marlon Williams leads the way with seven nominations thanks to Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his first fully te reo Māori album. Williams’ record is also in the running for this year’s Taite Music Prize.
Global pop superstar Lorde is nominated in multiple categories, including Album of the Year (Virgin) and Single of the Year (“What Was That”).
Check out the full list of finalists here.
