Che Fu (born Che Ness) is a Māori-Niuean hip hop, R&B, and reggae vocalist … Read Full Bio ↴Che Fu (born Che Ness) is a Māori-Niuean hip hop, R&B, and reggae vocalist from Aotearoa (New Zealand). He is usually backed by his band, The Krates, which feature his father Tigilau Ness of Unity Pacific.

He started his career with the seminal NZ band Supergroove. Shortly after he broke from the band in 1996, he released his first single ‘Chains’ a duet with DLT that went straight to #1 on the NZ Singles charts, and stayed there for 5 consecutive weeks. It went on to reach Platinum and was the landmark single that brought NZ Hip Hop to mass attention.

Che Fu has released three solo albums and one greatest hits compilation: 2b S.PACiFiC, Navigator, and Beneath The Radar and Hi-Score: The Best of Che-Fu.

Navigator is a combination of 13 tracks developed musically and lyrically by Che Fu. His love of reggae, funk, soul, rap and hip hop were his inspiration. "Fade Away" and "Random" were the first two singles released off the album, and both did well in the New Zealand charts. His album also sees him collaborate with D.J P-Money and The Villajah M.Cs.

http://www.che-fu.com
http://myspace.com/chefunz

He Kotahi
Che Fu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Te Tima Maori kia maia, Te Tima Maori kia wehi, Te Tima Maori kia kaha, Te Tima Maori kia toa
Te Tima Maori kia maia, Te Tima Maori kia wehi, Te Tima Maori kia kaha, Te Tima Maori kia toa

Ka hoe te waka taua, kei waho I te moana, Kia mau, kia ita, Pera ki kotou Tipuna
(Yes we're moving, across the water, like our fathers before, we remain steadfast and sure.)

Ka tu he kotahi, tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao Katumaia I te paerangi, Tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi
(Unified together, we will greet the risen sun, shoulder to shoulder, heads up on the front line. We will greet the risen sun, shoulder to shoulder, heads up on the front line.)

Tata pau te wa, Hoki ki uta, kei reira ra, kei, reira ra, Te Ao Kohatu, I tu Rangatira nga Tipuna, Aoki mai, Aoki mai
(The clock is ticking, we reach into ourselves and there it is, there it is, there it is. Back in the past, where our people once did walk, now we're running in, now we're running in)

Ka tu he kotahi, tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi, Tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi
(Unified together, we will greet the risen sun, shoulder to shoulder, heads up on the front line. We will greet the risen sun, shoulder to shoulder, heads up on the front line.)

Kua hikina, te kohu, ka anga atu taku aro, ki te kainga, a ata titiro, ka tu te ihi ihi, ka tu te wana wana, mo te whenua e, mo to whenua e
(Our minds stay clear, frosty, our eyes are clear as days back home, concentration, concentration, concentration. Now give more than you can give, it's getting closer for your nation)

Te Tima Maori kia maia, Te Tima Maori kia wehi, Te Tima Maori kia kaha, Te Tima Maori kia toa
Te Tima Maori kia maia, Te Tima Maori kia wehi, Te Tima Maori kia kaha, Te Tima Maori kia toa

Ka tu he kotahi, tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi, Tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi, Tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi
(Unified together, we will greet the risen sun, shoulder to shoulder, heads up on the front line. we will greet the risen sun, shoulder to shoulder, heads up on the front line

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Che Fu's "He Kotahi" speak of the strength and unity of the Maori people. The phrase "Te Tima Maori kia maia, Te Tima Maori kia wehi, Te Tima Maori kia kaha, Te Tima Maori kia toa" is repeated throughout the song, and it means "Maori hands be brave, Maori hands be ready, Maori hands be strong, Maori hands be warriors." This phrase serves as a call to action for Maori people to rise up together and be strong in the face of adversity.

The song also references the Maori tradition of waka taua, or war canoes. The line "Ka hoe te waka taua, kei waho I te moana, Kia mau, kia ita, Pera ki kotou Tipuna" means "Yes we're moving, across the water, like our fathers before, we remain steadfast and sure." This suggests that the Maori people will continue to fight for their culture and traditions, just as their ancestors did.

The chorus of "Ka tu he kotahi, tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi" means "Unified together, we will greet the risen sun, shoulder to shoulder, heads up on the front line." This reinforces the theme of unity and strength, and suggests that the Maori people will continue to fight for what they believe in.

Overall, "He Kotahi" is a powerful song that celebrates Maori culture and traditions, and encourages Maori people to be brave, strong, and united in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Te Tima Maori kia maia, Te Tima Maori kia wehi, Te Tima Maori kia kaha, Te Tima Maori kia toa
Let the Maori spirit be brave, fearful, strong and victorious.

Ka hoe te waka taua, kei waho I te moana, Kia mau, kia ita, Pera ki kotou Tipuna
We're paddling forward, just like our ancestors who traversed the oceans before us, with resilience and adaptability like our forefathers.

Ka tu he kotahi, tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao Katumaia I te paerangi, Tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi
Standing together in unity, we greet the world with strength and confidence, with respect and honor to our ancestors.

Tata pau te wa, Hoki ki uta, kei reira ra, kei, reira ra, Te Ao Kohatu, I tu Rangatira nga Tipuna, Aoki mai, Aoki mai
Time is running out, we must go back to our roots and find the courage to carry forward the traditions and values of our forefathers for the betterment of our land.

Kua hikina, te kohu, ka anga atu taku aro, ki te kainga, a ata titiro, ka tu te ihi ihi, ka tu te wana wana, mo te whenua e, mo to whenua e
As the fog clears, we turn our attention to our homeland with a new perspective, ready to face any challenge with strength and determination for our nation.

Te Tima Maori kia maia, Te Tima Maori kia wehi, Te Tima Maori kia kaha, Te Tima Maori kia toa
Let the Maori spirit be brave, fearful, strong and victorious.

Ka tu he kotahi, tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi, Tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi, Tu tata mai, kia mihi a tu ki te Ao, Katumaia I te paerangi
Standing together in unity, we greet the world with strength and confidence, with respect and honor to our ancestors.

Contributed by Oliver K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS