Pauly Fuemana
He gave New Zealand a global pop anthem with 'How Bizarre,' blending Pacific rhythms and hip-hop into an unforgettable summer smash.
1969–2010 (age 41)·New Zealand singer and songwriter·Birthday: February 8·Generation X
Biography
Pauly Fuemana emerged from the streets of South Auckland to become the unexpected voice of a nation. As the frontman of OMC (Otara Millionaires Club), his journey was one of raw, local talent colliding with worldwide fame. The 1996 single 'How Bizarre,' co-written with his brother Phil, was a slow-burn phenomenon, its infectious, sun-drenched melody and Fuemana's distinctive talk-sing delivery conquering charts from Europe to North America. It was more than a hit; it was a cultural landmark, proving that a uniquely Polynesian sound could resonate everywhere. The whirlwind of success was intense and, at times, difficult to navigate for the self-taught musician. Fuemana's later life was marked by financial struggles and health issues, but his legacy is cemented in that one perfect song. He passed away in 2010, leaving behind a blueprint for Pacific pop and a track that still evokes an instant, joyful recognition.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Pauly was born in 1969, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Pauly Was Born
The biggest hits of 1969
#1 Movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Best Picture
Midnight Cowboy
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Pauly's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1969Born
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1974Started school
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1982Became a teenager
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Could drive
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1987Could vote
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Turned 21
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1999Turned 30
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 40
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2010Died at 41
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
Key Achievements
- Led OMC to international fame with the 1996 global number-one hit 'How Bizarre.'
- Became one of the first New Zealand artists to achieve a number-one single in the United States with a homegrown production.
- Won Single of the Year at the 1997 New Zealand Music Awards for 'How Bizarre.'
- Helped pioneer the 'Urban Pacific' sound, fusing hip-hop, pop, and traditional Polynesian influences.
Did You Know?
The famous trumpet hook in 'How Bizarre' was played by New Zealand jazz musician Alan Brown.
He initially recorded demos in a makeshift studio built in his brother's garage.
The music video for 'How Bizarre' was filmed in New Zealand and Arizona, reflecting the song's cross-continental appeal.
He was of Niuean descent.
“How bizarre, how bizarre.”
