Khalil Fong
Hong Kong singer (1983–2025) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Khalil Fong Tai-Tung (Chinese: 方大同; 14 July 1983 – 21 February 2025) was a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and producer.
Khalil Fong | |||||||||||
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方大同 | |||||||||||
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| Born | 14 July 1983[1] Kauai County, Hawaii, U.S.[1] | ||||||||||
| Died | 21 February 2025 (aged 41) Dali, Yunnan, China | ||||||||||
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| Years active | 2005–2025 | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Chinese | 方大同 | ||||||||||
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| Musical career | |||||||||||
| Origin | Hong Kong | ||||||||||
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| Instruments |
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| Labels | In Hong Kong:
In Taiwan:
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| Website | khalilfong | ||||||||||
Fong was notable for introducing a more sophisticated R&B and soul sound to the Chinese music market, drawing inspiration from artists like Stevie Wonder, Musiq Soulchild and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Early life and education
Khalil Fong was born on 14 July 1983[2] in Hawaii, United States,[3][4] to an American-Chinese father, a drummer, and Hong Kong mother, Leung Yu-laam (梁茹嵐), an English language educator,[3] who would later be Fong's lyricist under the pen name Rulan (茹嵐).[3]
Fong moved to Shanghai at the age of 5, then Guangzhou for a brief period before moving to Hong Kong when he was 14.[5][6][7] Due to the family frequently moving to different cities, Fong initially studied in a primary school in Shanghai for five years, before being homeschooled by his parents until high school.[3][7]
Career
Summarize
Perspective
Early beginnings: Before being a musician
When Fong was 12, the family moved to Guangzhou and he would frequently accompany his father to sing at different bars. When he was 14, after moving to Hong Kong, he started writing over 100 tunes for his mother's English language education company, forming part of the company's audio learning resources. He started to learn to play guitar when he was 15, and subsequently sent many demos to different record companies at the age of 17. However due to his relatively young age and changes in the management of the recording company, Warner Music Group, he was not able to sign a recording contract until he was 22 in 2005.[7] Until then, he would write songs for other singers such as Andy Lau and Jacky Cheung.[7]
2005–2008: Soulboy, This Love, Wonderland, and Orange Moon
In 2005, Fong finally signed a recording contract with Warner Records.[7] He then debuted with the release of his first album, Soulboy.[6] Soulboy is largely a soul and R&B album, which genres were rare in the Chinese music industry then.[8] The album won him several awards such as IFPI Hong Kong's 2005 Top 3 Best Selling Male Local Newcomers and CRHK's Chik Chak New Male Singer Silver award in 2006.[9][10]
In 2006, Fong released This Love album, which continued to receive positive reviews from the media.[11][12] As with Soulboy, this album received awards for being one of the top 10 selling Mandarin albums for the year,[13][14] and as well as its titular track, Popular Mandarin Song awards from 2007 Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards and 2006 Metro Radio Music Awards.[14][15]
In 2007, Fong held his first concert, "This Love Live 2007" at Hong Kong Arts Centre from 1–3 February, a live album of the performance was released on 23 August.[16] On 28 December, Fong released his third album, Wonderland, which was the first album to be released in Taiwan as well.[17][18] With love and environmental protection as its theme, the blue coloured album cover had two holes on the sides of the ears of Fong's portrait printed on it. The blue colour would represent Earth while the holes represented the ozone layer, bringing awareness to the holes in the ozone layer.[19] Record label Warner Music Hong Kong specially chose to radio broadcast "Love Song" on major radio stations on 14 February 2008 as a special music theme for Valentine's Day in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, bringing listeners into love theme.[20][21] "Love Song" topped the music charts in Hong Kong and Taiwan[22] and would go on to win awards at the 8th Global Chinese Music Awards,[23] Beijing Pop Music Awards,[24][25] HITS Music Awards.[26] The album earned Fong his first Golden Melody Award nomination.[27]
In March 2008, Fong held two concerts, titled "Wonderland Live 2008, at Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, a live album of the performance was released on 29 July.[28] In December, Fong released his fourth studio album Orange Moon; the album, as promised by Fong, contained songs that are "catchier and more approachable" compared to his previous releases.[29] The title was inspired by the romanticism of sunset, where the orange moon refers to the sun.[30] For the album, Fong received awards at the Chinese Music Media Awards[31] and the Global Chinese Music Chart Awards Ceremony.[32]
2009–2012: Timeless, 15, and Back to Wonderland
In 2009, Fong released his fifth studio album and first cover album Timeless on 11 August, it contained songs in Mandarin and English that had inspired him to pursue music.[33] In support of the album, Fong held concerts in 2009 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 27–29 August, a live album of his performance was released on 27 November.[34] For his work on this album, Fong received his second Golden Melody Award nomination.[35]
In 2010, Fong had a cameo appearance in Love in Disguise, directed and written by Fong's good friend Wang Leehom. Same year, Fong was hospitalized multiple times due to pneumothorax.[36]
In February 2011, Fong made his debut at the CMG New Year's Gala, performing "This Love" with Jam Hsiao and Li Jian.[37] On 21 April, he released his sixth studio album 15, the title was to commemorate the age when he first learned the guitar. 15 received mixed reviews for Fong's attempt to integrate blues, rock, soul, and R&B as well as the shift toward more plainspoken lyrics; likely anticipating the reaction, Fong stated this was "a challenge for me in terms of music and the stories or thoughts I want to share with everyone, and it will also be a challenge for the audience."[38] Fong won Best R&B/Soul Artist at the 12th Chinese Music Media Award for his work on this album.[39]
From August 2011 to December 2012, Fong embarked on his first concert tour "15方大同Khalil Fong" with 15 stops spanning Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Macau.[40][41][42] The live album of the Hong Kong concert was released on 23 December 2011. On 12 December 2012, Fong released his seventh studio album Back to Wonderland, a callback to his third studio album Wonderland. The album was a "collage of Fong's past music elements", returning to his earlier R&B and soul music styles and incorporating the experiments in his last three albums.[43]
2013–2017: Dangerous World and Journey to the West
In 2013, Fong's contract with Warner Records ended in July and he signed with Gold Typhoon in August.[44] In November, Fong embarked on his second concert tour "Soulboy Lights Up"; the stage design concept was specifically inspired by the three characters of his name: "方" for the square-shaped stage, "大" for the large-scaled musical feast, and "同" for the use triangular iron frames.[45] The concert tour began in Hong Kong on 30 November to 2 December 2013 and continued through most of 2014.[46]
In 2014, Fong released his eighth studio album Dangerous World, it earned him his third Golden Melody Awards nomination.[47]
In 2016, Fong launched the music label FU MUSIC (賦音樂) on 28 April.[48] Fong released his ninth studio album Journey to the West on 28 September; the album contained two discs, one gold and one black: the style of the black disc is more modern and contemporary while the style of the "gold disc" is more classic.[49] For this album, Fong received four nominations from Golden Melody Awards,[50] bringing up his total to seven, and won his first Golden Melody Award for Best Male Artist.[51]
In 2017, Fong stepped back from making music due to health concerns. Same year, he was named Billboard Radio China’s artist of the year.[52]
2018–2024: Declining health, Emi The Dream Catcher #1, Home Sweet Home, and The Dreamer
In 2018, Fong released three bilingual children's graphic novels, The Secret of the Golden Bricks, Saving Snowy and The Tree of Life, under the series title Emi The Dream Catcher.[53] On 13 July, he released the extended play Emi The Dream Catcher #1.
Throughout 2018–2019, Fong continued releasing singles such as "Dear Ocean" featuring Diana Wang,[54] "Fake Monk",[55] and "White Hair".[56] The latter won Fong Best Male Singer of the Year and Golden Song of the Year at the Global Chinese Pop Chart Awards (华人歌曲音乐盛典).[57]
In 2020, Fong released the extended play Home Sweet Home on 19 June, which included the song "Noodles" that won Fong his second Golden Melody Awards for Best Single Producer.[58] In 2021, Fong produced the science fiction romance Guidance, directed by Neysan Sobhani.[59]
In 2024, Fong posted on his Weibo account that he had been "recovering from health issues" and throughout the journey, "found numerous moments of inspiration that have resulted in a new album".[60] On 18 October, Fong released his tenth studio album The Dreamer.
Personal life
Fong was a member of the Baháʼí Faith.[61] He was a vegetarian.[62]
Fong enjoyed a close friendship with fellow record artiste Fiona Sit from when he entered the music industry. Sit promoted him when he debuted, singing duets with him. Fong would frequently write songs for her to sing throughout her career, acknowledging the fact with a statement at an awards ceremony that the songs are written for her first. Some of his works would become her best hits. Fong would become one of her pillars of strength when she had depression in 2008.[63]
Illness and death
Fong died in Dali, Yunnan, China on 21 February 2025,[a] at the age of 41 from an unspecified illness that affected him over the previous five years.[68] He was cremated in Dali on 1 March 2025.[65][66][67] His label FU MUSIC announced his death on 1 March 2025 through Facebook and Weibo.[69][68]
Discography
Studio albums
| Album title | Chinese title | Release date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soulboy | — | 18 November 2005 | [70][71] |
| This Love | 愛愛愛 | 29 December 2006 | [72][73] |
| Wonderland | 未來 | 28 December 2007 | [74] |
| Orange Moon | 橙月 | 19 December 2008 | [75] |
| Timeless | 可啦思刻 | 11 August 2009 | [76] |
| 15 | — | 21 April 2011 | [77] |
| Back to Wonderland | 回到未來 | 12 December 2012 | [78] |
| Dangerous World | 危險世界 | 11 April 2014 | [79] |
| Journey to the West | 西遊記 | 28 September 2016 | [80] |
| The Dreamer | 夢想家 | 18 October 2024 | [81] |
Live albums
Compilation albums
| Album title | Chinese title | Release Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Soulboy Collection | — | 26 November 2013 | [87] |
Extended plays
Filmography
Television series
Film
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Love in Disguise | 戀愛通告 | Himself | Cameo | [93] |
Awards and nominations
Summarize
Perspective
| Year | Award | Category | Nomination | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Metro Radio Music Awards (新城勁爆頒獎禮) | New Hot Voice (勁爆熱播新聲音) | — | Won | [94] |
| CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Chik Chak New Male Singer (叱咤樂壇生力軍男歌手銀獎) | — | Silver | [10] | |
| 2006 | Metro Radio Music Awards (新城勁爆頒獎禮) | Popular Song (新城勁爆歌曲) | "糖不甩" (Composed for Fiona Sit) | Won | [15] |
| Popular Mandarin Song (新城勁爆国语歌曲) | "This Love" (愛愛愛) | Won | |||
| IFPI Hong Kong Music Sales Awards | Top 3 Best Selling Local Male Newcomers (最暢銷本地男新人) | Soulboy | Won | [9] | |
| CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Chik Chak Producer (叱咤唱作人銀獎) | — | Silver | [95] | |
| RoadShow Music Awards | Supreme Song (至尊歌曲) | "This Love" (愛愛愛) | Won | [96] | |
| Most Potential Producer/Singer (至尊潛力創作歌手) | — | Won | |||
| 2007 | IFPI Hong Kong Music Sales Awards | Top 10 Selling Mandarin Albums of the Year | This Love (愛愛愛) | Won | [97] |
| Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards (新城國語力頒獎禮) |
Popular Mandarin Hit Song (新城國語力歌曲) | 愛愛愛 | Won | [14] | |
| New Powers Singer (新勢力歌手) | — | Won | |||
| New Powers of Creation (創作新勢力) | — | Won | |||
| 2008 | CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Chik Chak Male Singer (叱咤男歌手金獎) | — | Gold | [98] |
| Chik Chak Top Ten Single (叱咤十大專業推介第二位) | "Love Song" | Second place | [99] | ||
| Chik Chak Producer/Singer (叱咤唱作人金獎) | — | Gold | [99] | ||
| Chik Chak Composer (叱咤作曲人大獎) | — | Won | [99] | ||
| 10th Mnet KM Music Festival | Best New Asian Artist | — | Won | [100] | |
| 2009 | HITO Radio Music Awards (HITO流行音樂獎) | Top 10 Songs of the Year | "Love Song" | Won | [101] |
| Best Loved by Audience | "未來" (Future) | Won | [101] | ||
| Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards
(新城國語力頒獎禮) |
Male Artist | — | Won | [102] | |
| Singer-Songwriter | — | Won | |||
| Radio Song | "If Love" ("如果愛") | Won | |||
| Album | Orange Moon | Won | |||
| Metro Radio Music Awards (新城勁爆頒獎禮) | Male Artist | — | Won | [103] | |
| Singer-Songwriter | — | Won | |||
| Fans Elected Artist | — | Won | |||
| Popular Mandarin Song (勁爆國語歌曲) | "Red Bean" | Won | |||
| CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Male Artist | — | Bronze | [104] | |
| Best Music Arrangement | — | Won | |||
| RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Songs Music Awards | Best Pop Singer | — | Won | [105] | |
| Best Mandarin Pop Song | "Three Person Tour" | Won | |||
| 2010 | CASH Golden Sail Music Awards | Best Performance | "Playful" | Won | [106] |
| Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards Presentation (新城國語力頒獎禮) | Best Male Artist | — | Won | [107] | |
| Best Asia Singer-Songwriter | — | Won | |||
| Metro Radio Music Awards (新城勁爆頒獎禮) | Best Hits Mandarin Song | "Playful" | Won | [108] | |
| Best Composer | "Weakness" Kay Tse + "Earl Grey" by Shiga Lin | Won | |||
| Greater China Fan Chosen Best Hits Artist | — | Won | |||
| CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Ultimate Composer | — | Won | [109] | |
| RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Songs Music Awards (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Best Composer | — | Won | [110] | |
| Most Popular Artist | — | Nominated | [111] | ||
| Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards | Most Influential Hong Kong Male Artist in Asia | — | Won | [112] | |
| Taiwan Most Popular HK Artist | — | Won | [113] | ||
| Sina Music Awards | Top 20 Songs (二十大歌曲) | "Playful" | Won | [114] | |
| Favourite Singer-Songwriter | — | Won | |||
| Favourite Mandarin Song | "Coconut Shell" | Won | |||
| 2011 | Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards
(新城國語力頒獎禮) |
Male Artist | — | Won | [115] |
| Best Asia Singer-Songwriter | — | Won | |||
| Song of the Year | "Finally" | Won | |||
| Metro Radio Music Awards (新城勁爆頒獎禮) | Best Composer | "Wallpaper" | Won | [116] | |
| Best Album | 15 | Won | |||
| Male Artist | — | Won | [117] | ||
| Best Mandarin Song | "If You Think" | Won | |||
| Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards | Best Singer-Songwriter Song | "Finally" | Won | [118] | |
| Most Influential Hong Kong Male Artist in Asia | — | Won | |||
| Taiwan Most Popular HK Artist | — | Won | |||
| Taiwan Most Popular Duet | "If You Think" (Khalil Fong and Lala Hsu) | Won | |||
| CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Ultimate Song | "Hao Bu Rong Yi" | Won | [119] | |
| Ultimate Singer-Songwriter | — | Gold | |||
| Ultimate Composer | — | Won | |||
| Ultimate Male Artist | — | Silver | |||
| Ultimate Album of the Year | 15 | Won | |||
| Sina Music Awards | Favourite Mandarin Song | "Finally" | Won | [120] | |
| Favourite Singer-Songwriter | — | Won | |||
| Top 20 Songs (二十大歌曲) | "Because of You" | Won | |||
| Best Mandarin Duet Song | "Zi Yi Wei" (Khalil Fong and Lala Hsu) | Won | |||
| RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Songs Music Awards | Best Artist | — | Won | [121] | |
| Best Mandarin Song (優秀流行國語歌曲獎) | "Hao Bu Rong Yi" | Bronze | |||
| Best Chinese Song | "Hao Bu Rong Yi" | Won | |||
| 2012 | Kugou Music Awards | Songwriter of the Year | — | Won | [122] |
| Singer-Songwriter of the Year | — | Won | |||
| HK/TW Singer of the Year | — | Won | |||
| Sina Music Awards | Favorite Singer-Songerwriter | — | Won | [123] | |
| Favorite Mandarin Song | "Close to You" | Won | |||
| Album Concept | Back to Wonderland | Won | |||
| CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Top 10 Songs of the Year | 千紙鶴 | Won | [124] | |
| Ultimate Male Artist | — | Silver | |||
| Ultimate Composer | — | Won | |||
| RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Songs Music Awards | Best Artist | — | Won | [125] | |
| Best Mandarin Song (優秀流行國語歌曲獎) | 千紙鶴 | Silver | |||
| Best Chinese Song | 千紙鶴 | Won | |||
| 2013 | RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Songs Music Awards | Best Mandarin Song (優秀流行國語歌曲獎) | 愛立刻 | Bronze | [126] |
| 2014 | Hito Pop Music Awards | Hit FM's Singer-Songwriter | — | Won | [127] |
| Hito Overseas Singer | — | Won | |||
| Hito Arranger | "I Want You Back" | Won | |||
| CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation (叱咤樂壇流行榜) |
Ultimate Singer-Songwriter | — | Bronze | [128] | |
| 2015 | Tencent x MTV Asia Music Gala 2016 | Most Popular Male Singer in Hong Kong and Taiwan Award | — | Won | [129] |
| 2016 | Asia Artist Awards | New Wave | — | Won | [130] |
| RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Songs Music Awards | Best Mandarin Song (優秀流行國語歌曲獎) | 悟空 | Bronze | [131] | |
| 2017 | 28th Golden Melody Awards | Best Male Vocalist – Mandarin | Journey to the West | Won | [68] |
| CMIC Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Journey to the West | Won | [132] | |
| Album of the Year | Journey to the West | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | "Wu Kong" | Nominated | |||
| Best Pop Performance | Journey to the West | Nominated | |||
| Best Arrangement | "Wu Kong" | Nominated | |||
| Best Recording | "Wu Kong" | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | Freshasia Music Awards | Most Popular Artist (Hong Kong and Taiwan) | — | Won | [133] |
| 2020 | 32nd Golden Melody Awards | Producer of the Year, Single | "Noodles" | Won | [58] |
Notes
References
External links
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