News: R & B Kings' Albums Queried About Imitation
R&B Kings’ Albums Queried about Imitation
Wang Leehom and David Tao subjected to the same "Interrogation"
In the current pop music scene, other than Jay Chou, there’s essentially no one else who can compete with Leehom and David Tao, be it status or appeal. Being the 3 pillars of Chinese R&B, they have many similarities and differences amongst them. The similarities include popularity, status, and even the timing of the outbreak of news is similar. Just as news of the "Chou-Hou" romance broke out, David Tao and Leehom came up with their own "pink worries" to stimulate their fans. And in each of their albums, traces of imitation and references to other’s music can be detected. Its not easy being a "Heavenly King" and this is the pressure that they have to bear. 2 days ago, Leehom held a press conference for his new album "Shangri-la"; At the same time, David Tao was being interviewed by this reporter via a phone call in Nanjing. This reporter specially designed 8 questions to "interrogate" these 2 heavenly kings, and from their separate answers we can perhaps infer the future paths in which these 2 artistes will take.
Wang Leehom: I want my every album to be stimulating
Q: What special meaning does the new album have for you?
A: This is my 10th personal album, in my past albums I've been accumulating certain technical skills, and starting from my previous album. I have the intention of gaining a better grasp of the hip-hop style of music. In this new album, I created a new style that I call "Chinked-out". This, to me, is a brand new beginning, and from now the direction in which I proceed will be more certain.
Q: Why did you think of using elements of Chinese culture and instruments?
A: I wanted to create a style of hip-hop that belongs distinctively to Chinese people, and not the European/American style of hip-hop – and thus I introduced Chinese elements into my music. In English, "Chink" is a derogatory racial slur used by Caucasians to address Chinese people. However, I hope to use the term "Chinked-Out" to repossess the word and revert the negative connotations of the term as well as to embody the Chinese spirit and strength.
Q: Do you feel that you are currently bearing a great load in the Chinese music industry?
A: I've never thought about this question. I only hope to be able to contribute to the Chinese music industry. Music doesn't have to be commercial, and it doesn't have to be karaoke style, but instead, it should be full of challenges. I hope that every album of mine with have new stimulations, this would make me very happy.
Q: Some people feel that this album is imitating ruffian Eminem's album, and there are some songs which seem to have the influences of the Usher fella. Is this plagiarism?
A: This is perhaps a coincidence, I have never had any intentions of intentionally imitating others.
Q: Which is the most meaningful song to you in this album?
A: FOREVER LOVE.This is a song written for my ex-girlfriend. It was a relationship that I treasured greatly, and though I am not able to physically appear at her wedding, I am still imagining that at her wedding, I would be wearing a white suit, playing the piano for her to convey my best wishes.
Q: What’s your take on the news that A-mei was urged to retire?
A: Initially I didn't even know about this news, and its only later on that I found out through the Taiwan media. I was rather shocked, I've always thought that A-mei's music was great, I don’t know why this happened…..(before he finished answering, a Sony Music representative cut him off, showing that he wasn’t allowed to answer this question.)
Q: In this album, you directed the MV of one of the songs, does this mean that you have interest in developing in the movie industry? This time, your performance in "Starlit High Noon" even got you nominated in the Berlin Film Festival, did you attend it?
A: When I write songs, images will always surface in my heart/mind, and as long as my record company agrees, from now on I will shoot my own MVs for my albums. As for filming movies, for now I think I will focus more on my music, I haven't quite decided if I will make movies. I didn't go to Berlin, but the film was screened.
Q: Do you consider Jay Chou and David Tao to be your competitors?
A: Nope, both of them are my good friends and together we have a common competitor and that’s the European/American hip-hop singer.
Source: 2005/3/4 Shanghai Evening Post
Credit: Roche @ OurHomeAus
Wang Leehom and David Tao subjected to the same "Interrogation"
In the current pop music scene, other than Jay Chou, there’s essentially no one else who can compete with Leehom and David Tao, be it status or appeal. Being the 3 pillars of Chinese R&B, they have many similarities and differences amongst them. The similarities include popularity, status, and even the timing of the outbreak of news is similar. Just as news of the "Chou-Hou" romance broke out, David Tao and Leehom came up with their own "pink worries" to stimulate their fans. And in each of their albums, traces of imitation and references to other’s music can be detected. Its not easy being a "Heavenly King" and this is the pressure that they have to bear. 2 days ago, Leehom held a press conference for his new album "Shangri-la"; At the same time, David Tao was being interviewed by this reporter via a phone call in Nanjing. This reporter specially designed 8 questions to "interrogate" these 2 heavenly kings, and from their separate answers we can perhaps infer the future paths in which these 2 artistes will take.
Wang Leehom: I want my every album to be stimulating
Q: What special meaning does the new album have for you?
A: This is my 10th personal album, in my past albums I've been accumulating certain technical skills, and starting from my previous album. I have the intention of gaining a better grasp of the hip-hop style of music. In this new album, I created a new style that I call "Chinked-out". This, to me, is a brand new beginning, and from now the direction in which I proceed will be more certain.
Q: Why did you think of using elements of Chinese culture and instruments?
A: I wanted to create a style of hip-hop that belongs distinctively to Chinese people, and not the European/American style of hip-hop – and thus I introduced Chinese elements into my music. In English, "Chink" is a derogatory racial slur used by Caucasians to address Chinese people. However, I hope to use the term "Chinked-Out" to repossess the word and revert the negative connotations of the term as well as to embody the Chinese spirit and strength.
Q: Do you feel that you are currently bearing a great load in the Chinese music industry?
A: I've never thought about this question. I only hope to be able to contribute to the Chinese music industry. Music doesn't have to be commercial, and it doesn't have to be karaoke style, but instead, it should be full of challenges. I hope that every album of mine with have new stimulations, this would make me very happy.
Q: Some people feel that this album is imitating ruffian Eminem's album, and there are some songs which seem to have the influences of the Usher fella. Is this plagiarism?
A: This is perhaps a coincidence, I have never had any intentions of intentionally imitating others.
Q: Which is the most meaningful song to you in this album?
A: FOREVER LOVE.This is a song written for my ex-girlfriend. It was a relationship that I treasured greatly, and though I am not able to physically appear at her wedding, I am still imagining that at her wedding, I would be wearing a white suit, playing the piano for her to convey my best wishes.
Q: What’s your take on the news that A-mei was urged to retire?
A: Initially I didn't even know about this news, and its only later on that I found out through the Taiwan media. I was rather shocked, I've always thought that A-mei's music was great, I don’t know why this happened…..(before he finished answering, a Sony Music representative cut him off, showing that he wasn’t allowed to answer this question.)
Q: In this album, you directed the MV of one of the songs, does this mean that you have interest in developing in the movie industry? This time, your performance in "Starlit High Noon" even got you nominated in the Berlin Film Festival, did you attend it?
A: When I write songs, images will always surface in my heart/mind, and as long as my record company agrees, from now on I will shoot my own MVs for my albums. As for filming movies, for now I think I will focus more on my music, I haven't quite decided if I will make movies. I didn't go to Berlin, but the film was screened.
Q: Do you consider Jay Chou and David Tao to be your competitors?
A: Nope, both of them are my good friends and together we have a common competitor and that’s the European/American hip-hop singer.
Source: 2005/3/4 Shanghai Evening Post
Credit: Roche @ OurHomeAus
posted by HOM-e at 3/09/2005 07:25:00 AM
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