Cantopop
Encyclopedia
Cantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese
popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong
popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre
of Chinese
popular music
within C-pop
. Cantopop draws its influence not only from other forms of Chinese music, but from a variety of international styles, including jazz
, rock and roll
, rhythm and blues
, electronic music
, Western
pop music
and others. Cantopop songs are almost invariably performed in Cantonese. Boasting a multinational fanbase especially in Southeast Asia
n countries such as Malaysia and Singapore
, and in the Guangdong
province of mainland China
, Hong Kong
remains the most significant hub of the genre.
in the 1920s, specifically to Shanghai
. Artists like Zhou Xuan
(周璇) acted in films and recorded popular songs, and was possibly the first Chinese pop star
.
In 1949 when the People's Republic of China
was established by the Communist Party
, one of the first actions taken by the government
was to denounce pop music as pornography
. Beginning in the 1950s
, massive waves of immigrants fled Shanghai to destinations like North Point
in Hong Kong
. As a result, many first generation Cantopop artists and composers hail from Shanghai.
al Cantonese opera
and comic renditions of western
music. Tang Kee-chan (鄧寄塵), Cheng Kuan-min (鄭君綿), and Tam Ping-man (譚炳文) were among the earliest artists releasing Cantonese records.
The baby boomer
generation at the time preferred British
and American
exports, as well as Mandarin music. Western culture was at the time equated with education and sophistication, and Elvis, Johnny Mathis
and The Beatles
were popular.
Conversely, those who preferred Cantonese music were considered old-fashioned or uneducated. Cheng Kum-cheung and Chan Chai-chung (陳齊頌) were two popular Cantonese singers who specifically targeted the younger generation. Connie Chan Po-chu
is generally considered to be Hong Kong's first teen idol
, mostly due to her career longevity. Josephine Siao
is also another artist of the era.
The previous decade laid the ground for the creation of Hong Kong's new pop music. Many local bands mimicked British
and American
bands. Two types of local Cantonese music appeared in the market nearly concurrently in 1973: one type cashed in on the popularity of TVB's drama series based on the more traditional lyrical styles. The other was more western style music largely from Polydor Hong Kong. Notable singers from the era include Liza Wang
and Paula Tsui
.
Television was a new technological marvel, available mostly to the rich, and on-air content was highly valued and respected. Soap operas were needed to fill air time, and many popular Cantonese songs became TV theme songs. Around 1971, Sandra Lang
, a minor singer who had never sung Cantopop before, was invited to sing the first Cantonese TV theme song "The Yuanfen
of a Wedding that Cries and Laughs" (啼笑姻緣). This song was a collaboration between songwriters Yip Siu-dak (葉紹德) and the legendary Joseph Koo
. It was ground-breaking and topped local charts. Other groups that profited from TV promotion included the Four Golden Flowers
.
Samuel Hui
, the lead singer of the band Lotus formed in the late 1960s, signed onto Polydor in 1972. The song that made him famous was the theme song to the movie Games Gamblers Play
, also starring Hui.
The star of TV theme tunes was Roman Tam
, whose singing earned much praise. Three of the most famous TV soap opera singers were Jenny Tseng
, Liza Wang
and Adam Cheng
. The Wynners
and George Lam
also amassed a big fan base with their new style. Samuel Hui continued to dominate the charts and won the Centennial Best Sales Award in the first and second IFPI Gold Disc Presentations twice in a row in 1977 and 1978. Polydor became PolyGram
in 1978.
, Cantopop soared to great heights with artists, producers and record companies working in harmony. Cantopop stars such as Anita Mui
, Leslie Cheung
, Alan Tam
, Sally Yeh
, Priscilla Chan
and Danny Chan
quickly became household names. The industry effectively used Cantopop songs in TV dramas and movies, with some of the biggest soundtracks coming from timeless film such as A Better Tomorrow
. In part, the success came from progressive economical development. Sponsors and record companies became comfortable with the idea of lucrative contracts and million-dollar
signings. There are also Japanese songs with Cantonese lyrics.
The most successful Chinese female recording artist, "Queen of Mandarin songs" Teresa Teng
also crossed over to Cantopop. She achieved in both artistic strides and great commercial success by her original Cantonese Hits under the Polygram Label in the early '80s. Jenny Tseng
was also a notable addition from Macau
.
As Cantopop gained large followings in Chinese communities worldwide, Hong Kong entrepreneurs' ingenious use of the then new Laserdisc
technology prompted yet another explosion in the market.
, the Cantopop stars Alan Tam
, Leslie Cheung
, Samuel Hui
, Priscilla Chan
, the songwriter Joseph Koo
, and others either retired or lessened their activity. Chan left Hong Kong to pursue her studies at Syracuse University
while the rest left Hong Kong amid the uncertainty surrounding the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
.
The "Four Heavenly Kings
" (四大天王), namely Jacky Cheung
, Andy Lau
, Aaron Kwok
and Leon Lai
dominated music, and coverage in magazines, TV, advertisements and cinema.
New talents such as Beyond
also emerged as contenders. Divas that should be mentioned are Sammi Cheng
and Faye Wong
, whose popularity are, arguably comparable to the Four Heavenly Kings. Shirley Kwan also made her mark with 難得有情人
The tension and economic instability from the 1997 sovereignty handover also created a culturally challenging atmosphere for the industry. Establishment of Basic Law
and language ordinances made the adoption of Mandarin
official.
and Anita Mui
in 2003 rocked the industry. A transitional phase also took place with many overseas-raised Chinese artists such as Nicholas Tse
and Coco Lee
gaining recognition. As a result Cantopop is no longer restricted to Hong Kong, but has become part of a larger Pan-Chinese music movement.
In 2005 Cantopop began a new upswing. Major companies that drove much of the HK segment included Gold Typhoon Music Entertainment (EMI
, Gold Label), Universal Music Group
, East Asia Entertainment & Amusic
and Emperor Entertainment Group
. Some of the most successful performers of the era include Joey Yung
, Twins
, Eason Chan
, Miriam Yeung
, Leo Ku
, Janice Vidal
. The new era also saw an explosion of groups such as at17
, Soler
, Sunboy'z, Hotcha
. In a new trend in promoting groups, many artists later end up going solo such as Stephy Tang
, Kary Ng
or Kenny Kwan
. The decade have also been dubbed a People's singer era (親民歌星), as most performers promote frequently in public and are highly approachable. This is as opposed to the 90s and previous era Big-card singers (大牌歌星), who were impossible to approach.
A number of media-buzz incidents also took place. The largest was the Edison Chen photo scandal
involving Edison Chen
and a number of high-profile female celebrities like Gillian Chung
, Bobo Chan
and Cecilia Cheung
caught in sexual acts with explicit photos uploaded online. The scandal garnered the attention of international media including CNN
and MSNBC
. and The Guardian
. The scandal raised a number of questions regarding legal issues and netizen
's online rights that went far beyond the usual music discussion. Other events include the street fight between Gary Chaw
and Justin Lo
. As well as Jill Vidal
and Kelvin Kwan
drug-trafficking to Japan
.
was a highly controversial one with the on-going HKRIA tax case. Afterwards ATV
launched the show Asia Millionstar (亞洲星光大道), and despite the channel usually struggling to compete with TVB ratings, the show was largely a success. It managed to launch a concert for the Asia Millionstar family. TVB also launched a competitor show The Voice, and then copied on the concert idea.
music hybridized with western pop. The musicians soon gave up traditional Chinese musical instruments
like zheng
and erhu fiddle
in favor of western style arrangements. Cantopop songs are usually sung by one singer, sometimes with a band, accompanied by piano
, synthesizer
, drum set
, guitar
, and bass guitar
. They are composed under verse-chorus form
and are generally monophonic
. Practically all early Cantopop songs feature a descending bassline
.
is a pitch sensitive tonal language. The word carries a different meaning when sung in a different relative pitch. Matching Cantonese lyrics to Western music was particularly difficult because the Western musical scale has 12 semi-tones. Through the work of pioneers like Sam Hui, James Wong and Lo Kwok Jim, those that followed have more stock phrases for reference. Cantonese lyricists play a great part in advancing Canto Pop.
Such a tonal constraint
has been particularly blamed for the decline of Cantopop in the late 1990s, for source of creativity being "mined out". Its ramification includes interpretive constraint, where singers have less room for ad-lib change of pitch without sacrificing intelligibility. As a result, pitch change often encountered in western pop music becomes foreign to most of Hong Kong's singers.
. In the past, Cantopop maintained the Cantonese Opera tradition of matching the musical notes with tones of the language. Relatively few Cantopop songs use truly colloquial Cantonese terms, and fewer songs contain lyrics. Songs written in this style are usually reserved for TV shows about ancient China. Since the 1980s, increasing numbers of singers have departed from this traditional, though some big names like Roman Tam stayed true to traditional techniques.
The following is an example from the song "Impression" (印象) by Samuel Hui
. The last word of every phrase ends with '–oeng'.
{|class="wikitable"
! width=50% | Chinese Original lyrics
! width=50% | Lyrics Romanized in Jyutping
|-valign=top
|
||
|-
s of many Western music and Japanese traditional and pop compositions have been made. Historically the practice is done for business reasons of filling up albums and re-capitalizing on songs with a proven record. By definition hybrids are still considered Cantonese songs due to Cantonese lyrics, though the right
s borrowed varies country to country. Songs like "Tomorrow sounds like today" (明日話今天) by Jenny Tseng
, "Life to seek" (一生何求) by Danny Chan
, "Snowing" (飄雪) by Priscilla Chan
, and "Can't afford" (負擔不起) by Jade Kwan
were originally composed outside of Hong Kong. Many critics disapprove this practice of covering foreign music as lack of originality, and many albums glory themselves as "cover-free".
similarly mirrored in the United States
and Japan
. Publicity is vital to an idol's career, as one piece of news could make or break one's future. Almost all modern Cantopop stars go into the movie business regardless of their ability to act. They immediately expand to the Mandarin market once their fame is established, hence pure Cantopop stars are almost nonexistent. Outside of the music sales, their success can also be gauged by their income from various sources. For example, according to some reports, Sammi Cheng
earned HK$
46M (around US$
6M) from advertisement and merchandise endorsements in one month alone. Many artists however begin with financial hardships. For example Yumiko Cheng
owed her company thousands of dollars. Others include Elanne Kong
crying in public with only HK$58 left.
, EMI
, Sony, Warner and BMG were established in Hong Kong since the 1970s. Local record companies such as Crown Records (娛樂唱片), Wing Hang Records (永恆), Manchi Records (文志) and Capital Artists
in the past have each invested heavily and became successful local labels that competed well in the market. As TV drama themes lost favor in the mid-80s, market power soon drifted to the multi-national labels. Sales are tracked at the IFPI HK Annual Sales Chart.
love ballads". Even in its early form, Cantopop featured many songs edited or inspired by English or Cantonese opera songs, which persisted during the 1980s golden era.
In the late 1990s, there was a shortage of creative talent due to the rising demand for Chinese songs; meanwhile, China and Taiwan had nurtured their own local industries posing serious competition to Cantopop. Renowned local lyricist Wong Jim
wrote his 2003 thesis on the subject.
One critic portrays the Cantopop industry in this period as "favoring smiling saccharine pap over actual substance" while Chinese academic Stephen Cheung described Cantopop as 'the worst thing to have come out of China since the plague'.
However, there are still many sideline musicians like Beyond
(who emerged from the "band fever" of the 1960s) and Tat Ming Pair
whose songs reflect the darker, less-expressed side of society
.
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! width=40% | Award
! width=20% | Year started
! width=20% | Origin
|-
| IFPI Gold Disc Presentation || 1977 || Hong Kong
|-
| RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards
|| 1978 || Hong Kong
|-
| Jade Solid Gold Top 10 Awards
|| 1983 || Hong Kong
|-
| CASH Golden Sail Awards || 1987 || Hong Kong
|-
| Ultimate Songs Awards || 1988 || Hong Kong
|-
| Metro Hit Music Awards || 1994 || Hong Kong
|-
|}
! width=20% | Station
! width=20% | Location
! width=50% | Frequencies and Platform
|-
| CRHK Radio 2
|| Hong Kong || 90.3 FM
|-
| RTHK Radio 2
|| Hong Kong || 94.8 FM, 95.3 FM, 95.6 FM, 96.0 FM, 96.3 FM, 96.4 FM, 96.9 FM, and Internet live streaming (channel 2)
|-
| Chinese Radio New York
|| New York
||1480AM
|-
| WNWR
|| Philadelphia || when it is not doing the news and talkshows
|-
| KEST
|| San Francisco || 1450 AM
|-
| KMRB
|| Los Angeles
|| 1430 AM
|-
| KVTO
|| San Francisco || 1400 AM
|-
| CHMB || Vancouver
|| 1320 AM
|-
| Fairchild Radio || Vancouver
|| 1470 AM, 96.1 FM
|-
| Fairchild Radio || Toronto
|| 1430 AM, 88.9 FM
|-
| Fairchild Radio || Calgary
|| 94.7 FM
|-
| Music FM Radio Guangdong || Guangdong
|| 93.9 FM, 99.3 FM and internet stream media
|-
| SYN FM || Melbourne
|| 90.7 FM - Cantopop show as part of Asian Pop Night.
|-
| 2AC 澳洲華人電台 || Sydney
|| (proprietary receivers)
|-
| 2CR
|| Sydney
Melbourne
|| (proprietary receivers)
|-
|}
Standard Cantonese
Cantonese, or Standard Cantonese, is a language that originated in the vicinity of Canton in southern China, and is often regarded as the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese....
popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
of Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
within C-pop
C-pop
C-pop is an abbreviation for Chinese popular music , a loosely defined musical genre by artists originating from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Others come from countries where the Chinese language is used by a large number of the population, such as Singapore and Malaysia...
. Cantopop draws its influence not only from other forms of Chinese music, but from a variety of international styles, including jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
, electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, Western
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and others. Cantopop songs are almost invariably performed in Cantonese. Boasting a multinational fanbase especially in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
n countries such as Malaysia and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, and in the Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
province of mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
remains the most significant hub of the genre.
1920s: Shanghai origins
Western-influenced music first came to the Republic of ChinaRepublic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
in the 1920s, specifically to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. Artists like Zhou Xuan
Zhou Xuan
Zhou Xuan was a popular Chinese singer and film actress. By the 1940s, she had become one of China's seven great singing stars. She is probably the most well-known of the seven, as she had a concurrent movie career until 1953.-Biography:...
(周璇) acted in films and recorded popular songs, and was possibly the first Chinese pop star
Pop Star
"Pop Star" is a 2005 single from Japanese singer Ken Hirai. The single went on to top the 2005 Oricon Charts and is known for its remarkable music video, featuring Ken in seven different personas, including a raccoon and his own manager. The Video also helped Ken break into the US and Canadian...
.
In 1949 when the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
was established by the Communist Party
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
, one of the first actions taken by the government
Politics of the People's Republic of China
The politics of the People's Republic of China take place in a framework of a single-party socialist republic. The leadership of the Communist Party is stated in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China...
was to denounce pop music as pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
. Beginning in the 1950s
1950s in Hong Kong
1950s in Hong Kong began after the Japanese rule ended in 1945 with sovereignty returning to the British. However, the Nationalist-Communist Civil War was renewed in mainland China. It prompted a large influx of refugees from the mainland, causing a huge population surge. The government struggled...
, massive waves of immigrants fled Shanghai to destinations like North Point
North Point
North Point is a mixed-use urban area in the Eastern District of Hong Kong. It is the northernmost point of Hong Kong Island, adjacent to both Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay, and projecting toward Kowloon Bay. Fortress Hill occupies the western end of the North Point area.-History:In 1899, The...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. As a result, many first generation Cantopop artists and composers hail from Shanghai.
1960s: Cultural acceptance
By the 1960s, Cantonese music in Hong Kong was still limited largely to traditionTradition
A tradition is a ritual, belief or object passed down within a society, still maintained in the present, with origins in the past. Common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes , but the idea has also been applied to social norms such as greetings...
al Cantonese opera
Cantonese opera
Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Cantonese culture. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing,...
and comic renditions of western
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
music. Tang Kee-chan (鄧寄塵), Cheng Kuan-min (鄭君綿), and Tam Ping-man (譚炳文) were among the earliest artists releasing Cantonese records.
The baby boomer
Baby boomer
A baby boomer is a person who was born during the demographic Post-World War II baby boom and who grew up during the period between 1946 and 1964. The term "baby boomer" is sometimes used in a cultural context. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve broad consensus of a precise definition, even...
generation at the time preferred British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
exports, as well as Mandarin music. Western culture was at the time equated with education and sophistication, and Elvis, Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
and The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
were popular.
Conversely, those who preferred Cantonese music were considered old-fashioned or uneducated. Cheng Kum-cheung and Chan Chai-chung (陳齊頌) were two popular Cantonese singers who specifically targeted the younger generation. Connie Chan Po-chu
Connie Chan Po-chu
Connie Chan Po-chu was born in 1946 to impoverished parents, one of at least nine siblings, in Guangdong, China. To increase their children's chances of survival, Chan's birth parents gave away some of their youngest to other families. As a result, Chan was adopted by Chan Fei-nung and his wife,...
is generally considered to be Hong Kong's first teen idol
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
, mostly due to her career longevity. Josephine Siao
Josephine Siao
Josephine Siao Fong-Fong MBE is a Hong Kong movie star who became popular as a child actress and continued her success as a mature actress, winning numerous awards including Best Actress at the 1995 Berlin Film Festival...
is also another artist of the era.
1970s: Rise of television and the modern industry
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bands. Two types of local Cantonese music appeared in the market nearly concurrently in 1973: one type cashed in on the popularity of TVB's drama series based on the more traditional lyrical styles. The other was more western style music largely from Polydor Hong Kong. Notable singers from the era include Liza Wang
Liza Wang
Elizabeth Wang Ming-chun, SBS, commonly known as Liza Wang, is an accomplished diva, actress and MC in Hong Kong. She is a well-known personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the HK entertainment circle...
and Paula Tsui
Paula Tsui
Paula Tsui Siu-fung is a famous Cantopop singer in Hong Kong. She has been affiliated with the TVB television station until the mid-1990s but has performed for Asia Television Ltd...
.
Television was a new technological marvel, available mostly to the rich, and on-air content was highly valued and respected. Soap operas were needed to fill air time, and many popular Cantonese songs became TV theme songs. Around 1971, Sandra Lang
Sandra Lang
Sandra Lang is a former Taishan Cantopop singer, active in the 1970s. - Career :During the late 1960s Sandra Lang's career began under the HK English pop group named The Chopsticks. The group did not last long, as Lang soon went solo for TVB....
, a minor singer who had never sung Cantopop before, was invited to sing the first Cantonese TV theme song "The Yuanfen
Yuanfen
Yuan or Yuanfen is a Buddhist-related Chinese concept that means the predetermined principle that dictates a person's relationships and encounters such as the affinity among friends or lovers. In common usage the term can be defined as the "binding force" that links two persons together in any...
of a Wedding that Cries and Laughs" (啼笑姻緣). This song was a collaboration between songwriters Yip Siu-dak (葉紹德) and the legendary Joseph Koo
Joseph Koo
Joseph Koo Kar-Fai, MBE, SBS is one of the most respected composers in Hong Kong. He used the pen name Moran for Mandarin songs. He is the younger brother of famous Chinese singer Koo Mei .-Career:...
. It was ground-breaking and topped local charts. Other groups that profited from TV promotion included the Four Golden Flowers
Four Golden Flowers
The Four Golden Flowers was a TV theme song musical performance group in the early 1970s. They are one of the first all-girl modern music group in Hong Kong. They are mostly notable for performing on the show Enjoy Yourself Tonight.-Legacy:...
.
Samuel Hui
Samuel Hui
Samuel Hui Koon-kit , usually known as Sam Hui, is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, lyricist and film actor. He is credited with popularizing Cantopop both with the infusion of Western-style music and using popular, street Cantonese jargon in his lyrics writing...
, the lead singer of the band Lotus formed in the late 1960s, signed onto Polydor in 1972. The song that made him famous was the theme song to the movie Games Gamblers Play
Games Gamblers Play
Games Gamblers Play is a 1974 Hong Kong film directed by Michael Hui with action direction by Sammo Hung.-Cast:*Chan Lap Ban*Cheng Kwan-Min*Cheung Wah*Chiao Roy*Fung Ging Man*Ho Pak-Kwong*Michael Hui*Ricky Hui*Sam Hui*Benz Hui*Sammo Hung...
, also starring Hui.
The star of TV theme tunes was Roman Tam
Roman Tam
Roman Tam, known by the stage name Lo Man , nickname Law Kee , was a renowned Hong Kong Cantopop singer. He is regarded as the "Godfather of Cantopop".-Career:...
, whose singing earned much praise. Three of the most famous TV soap opera singers were Jenny Tseng
Jenny Tseng
Jenny Tseng mostly known in Cantonese speaking regions as Yan Nei, is a Macau-born singer, based in Hong Kong for much of her career. Her father is Austrian while her mother is Chinese....
, Liza Wang
Liza Wang
Elizabeth Wang Ming-chun, SBS, commonly known as Liza Wang, is an accomplished diva, actress and MC in Hong Kong. She is a well-known personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the HK entertainment circle...
and Adam Cheng
Adam Cheng
Adam Cheng Siu-chow is a Hong Kong TVB actor and Cantopop singer.-Career:Cheng started his career in the 1970s, where he gained a reputation for playing the lead roles in TVB Wuxia drama series based on the works of Louis Cha and Gu Long, such as The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber and Chor Lau Heung...
. The Wynners
The Wynners
The Wynners are a Hong Kong pop band formed in the 1970s. The five-piece is made up of Alan Tam , Kenny Bee , Bennett Pang , Danny Yip and Anthony Chan .-History:...
and George Lam
George Lam
George Lam Chi Cheung, also known professionally by his surname Lam, is a Hong Kong-based veteran Cantopop singer and actor of Xinhui area origin. Lam studied at the Diocesan Boys' School in Kowloon, Hong Kong...
also amassed a big fan base with their new style. Samuel Hui continued to dominate the charts and won the Centennial Best Sales Award in the first and second IFPI Gold Disc Presentations twice in a row in 1977 and 1978. Polydor became PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
in 1978.
1980s: Beginning of the Golden age
During the 1980s1980s in Hong Kong
1980s in Hong Kong marks a period when the territory was known for its wealth and trademark lifestyle. Hong Kong would be recognised internationally for its politics, entertainment and skyrocketing real estate prices.-Background:...
, Cantopop soared to great heights with artists, producers and record companies working in harmony. Cantopop stars such as Anita Mui
Anita Mui
Anita Mui Yim-fong was a popular Hong Kong singer and actress. During her prime years she made major contributions to the cantopop music scene, while receiving numerous awards and honours. She remained an idol throughout most of her career, and was generally regarded as a cantopop diva...
, Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing , nicknamed elder brother , was a film actor and musician from Hong Kong. Cheung was considered as "one of the founding fathers of Cantopop", and "combining a hugely successful film and music career".In 2000, Cheung was named Asian Biggest Superstar by China Central...
, Alan Tam
Alan Tam
Wing Lun Alan Tam, MH is an award-winning Hong Kong Cantopop and English pop singer and actor. During the early 1980s he played a major role in developing the cantopop scene as he was known for singing romantic ballads with modern arrangements. As of 2008, he is still active in the music...
, Sally Yeh
Sally Yeh
Sally Yeh , sometimes written as Sally Yip or Yip Sin-Man, is a Cantopop singer in the Hong Kong music industry and an actress in the Hong Kong film industry.-Overview:...
, Priscilla Chan
Priscilla Chan
Priscilla Chan Wai-han is a female Cantopop singer in Hong Kong.-Background:Chan has a younger brother and sister. Her father is a retired senior officer of Hong Kong Immigration Service. She attended Marymount Secondary School in Happy Valley, Hong Kong...
and Danny Chan
Danny Chan
Danny Chan Bak-keung was a 1980s cantopop singer, composer and actor in Hong Kong with origins in Taishan, Guangdong. Chan was of the first generation of pop idols in Hong Kong. He was already an electronic organ player, a songwriter, an actor and a promising singer at the beginning of his career...
quickly became household names. The industry effectively used Cantopop songs in TV dramas and movies, with some of the biggest soundtracks coming from timeless film such as A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow is a 1986 Hong Kong action film which had a profound influence on the Hong Kong film-making industry, and later on an international scale.Directed by John Woo, it stars Chow Yun-fat, Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung...
. In part, the success came from progressive economical development. Sponsors and record companies became comfortable with the idea of lucrative contracts and million-dollar
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
signings. There are also Japanese songs with Cantonese lyrics.
The most successful Chinese female recording artist, "Queen of Mandarin songs" Teresa Teng
Teresa Teng
Teresa Teng , was an immensely popular and influential Chinese pop singer from Taiwan. Teresa Teng's voice and songs are instantly recognized throughout East Asia and in areas with large Asian populations...
also crossed over to Cantopop. She achieved in both artistic strides and great commercial success by her original Cantonese Hits under the Polygram Label in the early '80s. Jenny Tseng
Jenny Tseng
Jenny Tseng mostly known in Cantonese speaking regions as Yan Nei, is a Macau-born singer, based in Hong Kong for much of her career. Her father is Austrian while her mother is Chinese....
was also a notable addition from Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
.
As Cantopop gained large followings in Chinese communities worldwide, Hong Kong entrepreneurs' ingenious use of the then new Laserdisc
Laserdisc
LaserDisc was a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium. Initially licensed, sold, and marketed as MCA DiscoVision in North America in 1978, the technology was previously referred to interally as Optical Videodisc System, Reflective Optical Videodisc, Laser Optical...
technology prompted yet another explosion in the market.
1990s: Four Heavenly Kings era
In the early 90s1990s in Hong Kong
The 1990s in Hong Kong marked a transitional period and the last decade of Colonial Hong Kong.-Background:The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration paved the way for a series of changes that would facilitate the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China . In...
, the Cantopop stars Alan Tam
Alan Tam
Wing Lun Alan Tam, MH is an award-winning Hong Kong Cantopop and English pop singer and actor. During the early 1980s he played a major role in developing the cantopop scene as he was known for singing romantic ballads with modern arrangements. As of 2008, he is still active in the music...
, Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing , nicknamed elder brother , was a film actor and musician from Hong Kong. Cheung was considered as "one of the founding fathers of Cantopop", and "combining a hugely successful film and music career".In 2000, Cheung was named Asian Biggest Superstar by China Central...
, Samuel Hui
Samuel Hui
Samuel Hui Koon-kit , usually known as Sam Hui, is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, lyricist and film actor. He is credited with popularizing Cantopop both with the infusion of Western-style music and using popular, street Cantonese jargon in his lyrics writing...
, Priscilla Chan
Priscilla Chan
Priscilla Chan Wai-han is a female Cantopop singer in Hong Kong.-Background:Chan has a younger brother and sister. Her father is a retired senior officer of Hong Kong Immigration Service. She attended Marymount Secondary School in Happy Valley, Hong Kong...
, the songwriter Joseph Koo
Joseph Koo
Joseph Koo Kar-Fai, MBE, SBS is one of the most respected composers in Hong Kong. He used the pen name Moran for Mandarin songs. He is the younger brother of famous Chinese singer Koo Mei .-Career:...
, and others either retired or lessened their activity. Chan left Hong Kong to pursue her studies at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
while the rest left Hong Kong amid the uncertainty surrounding the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the June Fourth Incident in Chinese , were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the People's Republic of China beginning on 15 April 1989...
.
The "Four Heavenly Kings
Four Heavenly Kings (disambiguation)
The Four Heavenly Kings are the Buddhist protective deities.Four Heavenly Kings may also refer to:Groups of four people:* Kōdōkan Shitennō, notable judo competitors of the early Kōdōkan, referring to Tsunejiro Tomita, Yamashita Yoshiaki, Yokoyama Sakujiro, and Saigō Shirō* Shitennō , retainers of...
" (四大天王), namely Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
, Andy Lau
Andy Lau
Andy Lau MH, JP is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, actor, and film producer. Lau has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time...
, Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson...
and Leon Lai
Leon Lai
Leon Lai is a Hong Kong-based actor and Cantopop singer. The media refer to Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . He uses the stage name "Li Ming" or "Lai Ming" which literally means "dawn."-Biography:...
dominated music, and coverage in magazines, TV, advertisements and cinema.
New talents such as Beyond
Beyond (band)
Beyond was a rock band formed in Hong Kong in 1983. The band became prominent in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia. They were also very popular in mainland China. The band was, and still is, widely considered as the most successful and influential Cantonese band from Hong Kong...
also emerged as contenders. Divas that should be mentioned are Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng Sau-Man is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Having enjoyed much success in the Hong Kong music industry, Sammi has been known as a diva and has been one of the most successful female singer in Hong Kong since the 1990s. Her albums have sold more than 25 million copies through...
and Faye Wong
Faye Wong
Faye Wong is a highly successful and influential Chinese singer-songwriter and actress who is usually referred to as a diva . Early in her career she briefly used the stage name Shirley Wong . Born in Beijing, she moved to Hong Kong in 1987 and rose to stardom in the early 1990s by singing...
, whose popularity are, arguably comparable to the Four Heavenly Kings. Shirley Kwan also made her mark with 難得有情人
The tension and economic instability from the 1997 sovereignty handover also created a culturally challenging atmosphere for the industry. Establishment of Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
and language ordinances made the adoption of Mandarin
Standard Mandarin
Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
official.
2000s
At the turn of the century, Cantonese was still dominant in the domain of C-pop. The deaths of stars Leslie CheungLeslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing , nicknamed elder brother , was a film actor and musician from Hong Kong. Cheung was considered as "one of the founding fathers of Cantopop", and "combining a hugely successful film and music career".In 2000, Cheung was named Asian Biggest Superstar by China Central...
and Anita Mui
Anita Mui
Anita Mui Yim-fong was a popular Hong Kong singer and actress. During her prime years she made major contributions to the cantopop music scene, while receiving numerous awards and honours. She remained an idol throughout most of her career, and was generally regarded as a cantopop diva...
in 2003 rocked the industry. A transitional phase also took place with many overseas-raised Chinese artists such as Nicholas Tse
Nicholas Tse
Nicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and musician, and son of actor Patrick Tse. He is a member of the Emperor Entertainment Group...
and Coco Lee
CoCo Lee
Coco Lee , born on 17 January 1975, also known by her official English name as Ferren Lee, is a pop singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. Coco started her career in Hong Kong but, after becoming popular in Taiwan, she was widely considered to be a Taiwan artist. She was born to a Chinese...
gaining recognition. As a result Cantopop is no longer restricted to Hong Kong, but has become part of a larger Pan-Chinese music movement.
In 2005 Cantopop began a new upswing. Major companies that drove much of the HK segment included Gold Typhoon Music Entertainment (EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, Gold Label), Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, East Asia Entertainment & Amusic
Amusic
Amusic is the record label of East Asia Record Production Co., Ltd. which was formed by businessman Peter Lam and singer Leon Lai on 28 July 2004 with the aim of developing artist with potential and strength to produce music with quality and diversity so as to reward music lovers...
and Emperor Entertainment Group
Emperor Entertainment Group
Emperor Entertainment Group is one of the largest entertainment groups in Hong Kong founded by Albert Yeung Sau-Shing in and established in Wan Chai in 1986, along with Music Icon Entertainment Limited and Emperor Motion Picture Group, EEG operates under the major conglomerate Emperor Multimedia...
. Some of the most successful performers of the era include Joey Yung
Joey Yung
Joey Yung is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress from Emperor Entertainment Group. She won the prestigious JSG "Most Popular Female Singer" and "Ultimate Best Female Singer - Gold" awards a record breaking six times, thus emerging as one of the premier Cantonese singers in Hong Kong...
, Twins
Twins (group)
Twins is a Hong Kong-based female Cantopop duo which was created in the summer of 2001 by Emperor Entertainment Group . Twins is made up of two girls, Charlene Choi Cheuk-Yin and Gillian Chung Yan-Tung. They were a popular group in Hong Kong and a top band in China. Their fanbase included Japan,...
, Eason Chan
Eason Chan
Eason Chan Yik-shun is a prominent male singer in Hong Kong's music industry. Undoubtedly one of the most dominant male singers in the post-1997 era of Hong Kong music industry. Eason Chan has been praised by Time magazine as a front runner in the next generation of Cantopop...
, Miriam Yeung
Miriam Yeung
Miriam Yeung, RN, is a Hong Kong actress and Cantopop singer. Before entering the entertainment business, she was a registered nurse at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong. She studied at the Holy Family Canossian College Kowloon...
, Leo Ku
Leo Ku
Leo Ku Kui Kei is a famous China and Hong Kong artist, Cantonese and Mandarin pop singer, actor, host, cartoonist, MV Director and Producer, and designer; he is one of the highest visibility and Greater China Pop Male Artist, a major figure in popular music culture. Leo had earned the "Ten...
, Janice Vidal
Janice Vidal
Janice M. Vidal, often credited mononymously as "Janice", is an award-winning female Cantopop, Hong Kong English pop, Jazz and R&B singer based in Hong Kong. She is the twin sister of singer Jill Vidal....
. The new era also saw an explosion of groups such as at17
At17
at17 , consist of Eman Lam and Ellen Joyce Loo, is a Hong Kong based Cantopop and folktronica girl band managed under production company People Mountain People Sea.-Biography:...
, Soler
Soler (band)
Soler is a Hong Kong-based rock duo originally from Macau formed by twin brothers Julio Acconci and Dino Acconci , Soler made their Hong Kong debut in early 2005...
, Sunboy'z, Hotcha
HotCha
HotCha is a Hong Kong cantopop trio group presented by Newaystar entertainment.- Albums :* Hotcha * Hotcha Sexy Funny Cool * Hotcha Shall We Dance Shall We Love? * Hotcha Our Favorites 我們最愛的 * Three On The Road...
. In a new trend in promoting groups, many artists later end up going solo such as Stephy Tang
Stephy Tang
Stephy Tang is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. She was formerly the lead singer of the pop group Cookies.-Early life:...
, Kary Ng
Kary Ng
Kary Ng is a pop rock singer in Hong Kong. She studied at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. She had made references to her nickname "Lady K" in the album titles "Lady K Live" and "Lady K: Transformation"....
or Kenny Kwan
Kenny Kwan
Kenny Kwan Chi-Bun is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor, under the music label Emperor Entertainment Group. He was born in the Philippines, but grew up in Hong Kong....
. The decade have also been dubbed a People's singer era (親民歌星), as most performers promote frequently in public and are highly approachable. This is as opposed to the 90s and previous era Big-card singers (大牌歌星), who were impossible to approach.
A number of media-buzz incidents also took place. The largest was the Edison Chen photo scandal
Edison Chen photo scandal
The Edison Chen photo scandal involved the illegal distribution over the Internet of intimate and private photographs of Hong Kong actor Edison Chen with various women, including actresses Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan, Rachel Ngan and Cecilia Cheung. The scandal shook the Hong Kong entertainment...
involving Edison Chen
Edison Chen
Edison Koon-Hei Chen is a Hong Kong film actor, Cantopop singer, Hong Kong hip hop rapper, model, record producer, fashion designer, and a pop icon. Chen is also the founder of CLOT Inc., and the CEO of Clot Media Division Limited...
and a number of high-profile female celebrities like Gillian Chung
Gillian Chung
Gillian Chung is a Hong Kong based singer and actress. She is a member of Cantopop group Twins, along with Charlene Choi.-Early life:...
, Bobo Chan
Bobo Chan
Bobo Chan Man-Woon is a former Hong Kong singer and model. She was also an actress in several movies and TV-series.-Career:Bobo's first movie role was in 1999's Tempting Heart. In 2001, she debut her first CD, titled Shine. Between 2003-2005, she joined TVB and was featured in four of their...
and Cecilia Cheung
Cecilia Cheung
Cecilia Cheung Pak-Chi is a Hong Kong actress and cantopop singer. She is the ex-wife of Nicholas Tse, thus being the daughter-in-law of Patrick Tse and Deborah Lee. She and Nicholas have two sons, Lucas and Quintus Tse...
caught in sexual acts with explicit photos uploaded online. The scandal garnered the attention of international media including CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
. and The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
. The scandal raised a number of questions regarding legal issues and netizen
Netizen
The term Netizen is a portmanteau of the English words internet and citizen. It is defined as an entity or person actively involved in online communities and a user of the internet, especially an avid one. The term can also imply an interest in improving the internet, especially in regard to open...
's online rights that went far beyond the usual music discussion. Other events include the street fight between Gary Chaw
Gary Chaw
Gary Chaw was born on 9 July 1979 in Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia, also known as Gary Cao or Cao Ge. He is a Malaysian Chinese Golden Melody Awards singer-songwriter based in Taiwan, who has had achieved success in Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He is renowned for his stage presence,...
and Justin Lo
Justin Lo
Justin Lo is a singer-songwriter, actor and record producer working in Hong Kong and China.-Biography:Lo was born in Syracuse, New York, and moved to Hong Kong with his parents when he was two years old. He studied at St Paul's Co-educational Primary School and St. Paul's Co-educational College....
. As well as Jill Vidal
Jill Vidal
Jill Vidal, often referred to as Wei Si or simply as Jill, was a Hong Kong-based female urban pop singer. Vidal is of Chinese, Korean, and Filipino ethnicity with British nationality...
and Kelvin Kwan
Kelvin Kwan
Kelvin Kwan is a cantopop singer from Go East, a subdivision of Universal Music.-Family background:Born into a wealthy family, Kwan was raised in Canada. His father is Hong Kong record producer William Kwan, an executive for the Hong Kong division of PolyGram, who played in the band Teddy Robin and...
drug-trafficking to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
2010s
The first major award of the decade 09 JSG award2009 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation
The 2009 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation was held on January 16, 2010 at the Kowloon Hong Kong Coliseum. It is part of the Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation series.-Special situation:...
was a highly controversial one with the on-going HKRIA tax case. Afterwards ATV
Asia Television Limited
Asia Television Limited is one of the two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong, the other being rival Television Broadcasts Limited . It launched in 1957 under the name Rediffusion Television as the first television station in Hong Kong...
launched the show Asia Millionstar (亞洲星光大道), and despite the channel usually struggling to compete with TVB ratings, the show was largely a success. It managed to launch a concert for the Asia Millionstar family. TVB also launched a competitor show The Voice, and then copied on the concert idea.
Characteristics
Instruments and setups
Early Cantopop was developed from cantonese operaCantonese opera
Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Cantonese culture. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing,...
music hybridized with western pop. The musicians soon gave up traditional Chinese musical instruments
Traditional Chinese musical instruments
-The Eight Sounds or Eight Tones :The eight categories are: silk, bamboo, wood, stone, metal, clay, gourd and hide. There are other instruments which may not fit these classifications. This is one of the first musical classifications ever.-Silk :...
like zheng
Guzheng
The guzheng or "gu zheng", also called zheng is a Chinese plucked zither. It has 18-23 or more strings and movable bridges....
and erhu fiddle
Erhu
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a "southern fiddle", and sometimes known in the Western world as the "Chinese violin" or a "Chinese two-stringed fiddle". It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles...
in favor of western style arrangements. Cantopop songs are usually sung by one singer, sometimes with a band, accompanied by piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, drum set
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. They are composed under verse-chorus form
Verse-chorus form
Verse-chorus form is a musical form common in popular music and predominant in rock since the 1960s. In contrast to AABA form, which is focused on the verse , in verse-chorus form the chorus is highlighted...
and are generally monophonic
Monophony
In music, monophony is the simplest of textures, consisting of melody without accompanying harmony. This may be realized as just one note at a time, or with the same note duplicated at the octave . If the entire melody is sung by two voices or a choir with an interval between the notes or in...
. Practically all early Cantopop songs feature a descending bassline
Bassline
A bassline is the term used in many styles of popular music, such as jazz, blues, funk, dub and electronic music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, tuba or keyboard...
.
Lyrics
CantoneseStandard Cantonese
Cantonese, or Standard Cantonese, is a language that originated in the vicinity of Canton in southern China, and is often regarded as the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese....
is a pitch sensitive tonal language. The word carries a different meaning when sung in a different relative pitch. Matching Cantonese lyrics to Western music was particularly difficult because the Western musical scale has 12 semi-tones. Through the work of pioneers like Sam Hui, James Wong and Lo Kwok Jim, those that followed have more stock phrases for reference. Cantonese lyricists play a great part in advancing Canto Pop.
Such a tonal constraint
Constrained writing
Constrained writing is a literary technique in which the writer is bound by some condition that forbids certain things or imposes a pattern.Constraints are very common in poetry, which often requires the writer to use a particular verse form....
has been particularly blamed for the decline of Cantopop in the late 1990s, for source of creativity being "mined out". Its ramification includes interpretive constraint, where singers have less room for ad-lib change of pitch without sacrificing intelligibility. As a result, pitch change often encountered in western pop music becomes foreign to most of Hong Kong's singers.
Classical Chinese lyrics
The first type is the poetic lyrics written in literary or classical Wenyan ChineseClassical Chinese
Classical Chinese or Literary Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese based on the grammar and vocabulary of ancient Chinese, making it different from any modern spoken form of Chinese...
. In the past, Cantopop maintained the Cantonese Opera tradition of matching the musical notes with tones of the language. Relatively few Cantopop songs use truly colloquial Cantonese terms, and fewer songs contain lyrics. Songs written in this style are usually reserved for TV shows about ancient China. Since the 1980s, increasing numbers of singers have departed from this traditional, though some big names like Roman Tam stayed true to traditional techniques.
Modern Chinese lyrics
The second type is less formal. The lyrics written in colloquial Cantonese make up the majority with compositions done in modern written Chinese. TV shows filmed under modern contexts will utilize songs written with these lyrics. Most songs share an overriding characteristic, in which every last word of a phrase is rhymed.The following is an example from the song "Impression" (印象) by Samuel Hui
Samuel Hui
Samuel Hui Koon-kit , usually known as Sam Hui, is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, lyricist and film actor. He is credited with popularizing Cantopop both with the infusion of Western-style music and using popular, street Cantonese jargon in his lyrics writing...
. The last word of every phrase ends with '–oeng'.
{|class="wikitable"
! width=50% | Chinese Original lyrics
! width=50% | Lyrics Romanized in Jyutping
Jyutping
Jyutping is a romanization system for Cantonese developed by the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong in 1993. Its formal name is The Linguistic Society of Hong Kong Cantonese Romanization Scheme...
|-valign=top
|
- 誰令我當晚舉止失常
- 難自禁望君你能見諒
- 但覺萬分緊張 皆因跟你遇上
- 誰令我突然充滿幻想
||
- seoi4 ling6 ngo5 dong1 maan5 geoi2 zi2 sat1 soeng4
- naan4 zi6 gam1 mong6 gwan1 nei5 nang4 gin3 loeng6
- daan6 gok3 maan6 fan1 gan2 zoeng1 gaai1 jan1 gan1 nei5 jyu6 soeng5
- seoi4 ling6 ngo5 dat6 jin4 cung1 mun5 waan6 soeng2
|-
Covers of foreign compositions
Since the 1970s, Chinese cover versionCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of many Western music and Japanese traditional and pop compositions have been made. Historically the practice is done for business reasons of filling up albums and re-capitalizing on songs with a proven record. By definition hybrids are still considered Cantonese songs due to Cantonese lyrics, though the right
Right
Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory...
s borrowed varies country to country. Songs like "Tomorrow sounds like today" (明日話今天) by Jenny Tseng
Jenny Tseng
Jenny Tseng mostly known in Cantonese speaking regions as Yan Nei, is a Macau-born singer, based in Hong Kong for much of her career. Her father is Austrian while her mother is Chinese....
, "Life to seek" (一生何求) by Danny Chan
Danny Chan
Danny Chan Bak-keung was a 1980s cantopop singer, composer and actor in Hong Kong with origins in Taishan, Guangdong. Chan was of the first generation of pop idols in Hong Kong. He was already an electronic organ player, a songwriter, an actor and a promising singer at the beginning of his career...
, "Snowing" (飄雪) by Priscilla Chan
Priscilla Chan
Priscilla Chan Wai-han is a female Cantopop singer in Hong Kong.-Background:Chan has a younger brother and sister. Her father is a retired senior officer of Hong Kong Immigration Service. She attended Marymount Secondary School in Happy Valley, Hong Kong...
, and "Can't afford" (負擔不起) by Jade Kwan
Jade Kwan
- About Jade :Kwan entered the New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition 1999 with the song "Face" and was awarded first runner-up. As such, she represented Vancouver in the New Talent Singing Awards Canada Finals 1999 and won...
were originally composed outside of Hong Kong. Many critics disapprove this practice of covering foreign music as lack of originality, and many albums glory themselves as "cover-free".
Cantopop stars
From the inception of Cantopop to the late '80s, Hong Kong had seen many original talents develop into super stars, each with a unique singing style and an easily recognisable voice. Usually talent is secondary to the success of a Cantopop singer in Hong Kong. Most of the time, the image sells the albums, as it is one of the characteristic of mainstream musicMainstream
Mainstream is, generally, the common current thought of the majority. However, the mainstream is far from cohesive; rather the concept is often considered a cultural construct....
similarly mirrored in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Publicity is vital to an idol's career, as one piece of news could make or break one's future. Almost all modern Cantopop stars go into the movie business regardless of their ability to act. They immediately expand to the Mandarin market once their fame is established, hence pure Cantopop stars are almost nonexistent. Outside of the music sales, their success can also be gauged by their income from various sources. For example, according to some reports, Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng Sau-Man is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Having enjoyed much success in the Hong Kong music industry, Sammi has been known as a diva and has been one of the most successful female singer in Hong Kong since the 1990s. Her albums have sold more than 25 million copies through...
earned HK$
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
46M (around US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
6M) from advertisement and merchandise endorsements in one month alone. Many artists however begin with financial hardships. For example Yumiko Cheng
Yumiko Cheng
Yumiko Cheng is a Hong Kong-based Cantopop singer. Cheng was given the Japanese nickname "Yumiko" by her friends in secondary school, and upon signing with EEG, adopted it as her official stagename.-Career:...
owed her company thousands of dollars. Others include Elanne Kong
Elanne Kong
-Discography:* Innocent * Shining * Show You * Elanne Kwong -TV series:-Film:-External links:* * at Sina Twitter...
crying in public with only HK$58 left.
Labels
PolyGramPolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
, EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, Sony, Warner and BMG were established in Hong Kong since the 1970s. Local record companies such as Crown Records (娛樂唱片), Wing Hang Records (永恆), Manchi Records (文志) and Capital Artists
Capital Artists
Capital Artists is a Hong Kong–based record label, and is currently owned by , a subsidiary of Lai Sun Development. Founded in 1971, Capital Artists signed some of the biggest names in the Cantopop industry, including the late Roman Tam, Anita Mui, and Leslie Cheung, among others...
in the past have each invested heavily and became successful local labels that competed well in the market. As TV drama themes lost favor in the mid-80s, market power soon drifted to the multi-national labels. Sales are tracked at the IFPI HK Annual Sales Chart.
Unoriginality
Cantopop has been criticised as being bland and unoriginal, since most stars tend to sing songs with similar topics with emphasis on "maudlinSentimentalism
Sentimentalism is used in different ways:* Sentimentalism , a theory in moral epistemology concerning how one knows moral truths; also known as moral sense theory* Sentimentalism , a form of literary discourse...
love ballads". Even in its early form, Cantopop featured many songs edited or inspired by English or Cantonese opera songs, which persisted during the 1980s golden era.
In the late 1990s, there was a shortage of creative talent due to the rising demand for Chinese songs; meanwhile, China and Taiwan had nurtured their own local industries posing serious competition to Cantopop. Renowned local lyricist Wong Jim
Wong Jim
James Wong Jim was a Cantopop lyricist and writer based primarily in Hong Kong. He was also a well known in Asia as a columnist, actor, film director, screenwriter and talk show hosts. He took part in creative directing positions within the entertainment industry in Hong Kong...
wrote his 2003 thesis on the subject.
One critic portrays the Cantopop industry in this period as "favoring smiling saccharine pap over actual substance" while Chinese academic Stephen Cheung described Cantopop as 'the worst thing to have come out of China since the plague'.
However, there are still many sideline musicians like Beyond
Beyond (band)
Beyond was a rock band formed in Hong Kong in 1983. The band became prominent in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia. They were also very popular in mainland China. The band was, and still is, widely considered as the most successful and influential Cantonese band from Hong Kong...
(who emerged from the "band fever" of the 1960s) and Tat Ming Pair
Tat Ming Pair
Tat Ming Pair is a Hong Kong singing group, which consists of Anthony Wong Yiu Ming and Tats Lau . The group was formed in 1985 and enjoyed success until 1990 when the group decided to disband. Anthony proceeded as a solo artist while Tats went into acting. The group had a short reunion stint in...
whose songs reflect the darker, less-expressed side of society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
.
Male
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- Albert AuAlbert AuAlbert Au Shui Keung is a Hong Kong English pop and Cantopop singer-songwriter and DJ of RTHK. A graduate of Hong Kong Baptist University, he debuted in 1979 and achieved considerable fame in the 80's with his folk music. He also appeared in movies and on TV...
- Kenny BeeKenny BeeChung Chun-to , better known as Kenny Bee, is a Hong Kong singer, musician and actor. He is well-known as a member of the Hong Kong English pop and cantopop band the Wynners, and as a solo artist who has been active in the Hong Kong entertainment industry for nearly three decades.-Career:Bee made...
- Danny ChanDanny ChanDanny Chan Bak-keung was a 1980s cantopop singer, composer and actor in Hong Kong with origins in Taishan, Guangdong. Chan was of the first generation of pop idols in Hong Kong. He was already an electronic organ player, a songwriter, an actor and a promising singer at the beginning of his career...
- Daniel ChanDaniel ChanDaniel Chan Hiu-tung, born on 3 September 1975 in Hong Kong, is a popular Hong Kong singer, songwriter, and actor. He is most notable as one of the young talents in the 1990s music scene.-Career:...
- Eason ChanEason ChanEason Chan Yik-shun is a prominent male singer in Hong Kong's music industry. Undoubtedly one of the most dominant male singers in the post-1997 era of Hong Kong music industry. Eason Chan has been praised by Time magazine as a front runner in the next generation of Cantopop...
- Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
- Jaycee ChanJaycee ChanJaycee Chan Jo-Ming is a Hong Kong actor and singer. In 2004, he released his first Mandarin CD album in Hong Kong. He is currently based in Taiwan to continue his music career.-Biography:...
- Jordan ChanJordan ChanJordan Chan Siu-Chun is a Chinese actor and musician from Hong Kong.Chan got his start by enrolling in the TVB Dancers' Training Class in 1985. Soon after graduation, he joined a few of the studio's troupes that would accompany popular singers during their live performances...
- Jason Chan
- Sammul ChanSammul ChanSammul Chan Kin-fung is a Hong Kong actor, singer, and presenter.-Career:Chan debuted in 1997 as a DJ for Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited under his birth name, although most of the time he was simply referred to and credited as simply "Sammul". From 1997 to 1999, he has signed with three...
- William ChanWilliam ChanWilliam Chan is a Hong Kong singer and a former member of the Cantopop group Sun Boy'z.In April 2008, it was announced by the EEG company that William will leave Sun Boy'z and pursue a solo career. The group disbanded six months after his departure....
- Pak Ho ChauPak Ho ChauPakho Chau is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and songwriter. He officially entered the Hong Kong music industry in 2007, and is currently signed to the Warner Music Group, Hong Kong.- Biography :...
- Wakin (Emil) ChauWakin ChauWakin Chau is a Hong Kong singer and actor. Chau's popularity has spread throughout Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and parts of Southeast Asia. He was known as Emil Chau through the 1980s and 1990s, and by 2000 he reverted to his given name Wakin...
- Edison ChenEdison ChenEdison Koon-Hei Chen is a Hong Kong film actor, Cantopop singer, Hong Kong hip hop rapper, model, record producer, fashion designer, and a pop icon. Chen is also the founder of CLOT Inc., and the CEO of Clot Media Division Limited...
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- Adam ChengAdam ChengAdam Cheng Siu-chow is a Hong Kong TVB actor and Cantopop singer.-Career:Cheng started his career in the 1970s, where he gained a reputation for playing the lead roles in TVB Wuxia drama series based on the works of Louis Cha and Gu Long, such as The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber and Chor Lau Heung...
- Ekin ChengEkin ChengEkin Cheng is a Hong Kong actor and Cantopop singer. Early in his career he used the name Dior as a first name. He has also been referred to as Noodle Cheng, after a popular noodle product with a similar name...
- Kevin ChengKevin ChengKevin Cheng Ka-wing is a Chinese American singer and television actor from Hong Kong. He is currently an artist under the management of TVB. Kevin Cheng rose to fame in late 2004 after his first lead role in Hard Fate as "Ken"...
- Ronald ChengRonald Cheng-Biography:Originally intending to work behind the scenes as a composer and record producer, Cheng did odd jobs at his father ’s company EMI— which included doing back-up vocals for the likes of Alan Tam and Priscilla Chan — during summers as a youth...
- Hins CheungHins CheungHins Cheung is a Cantopop singer and songwriter in Hong Kong. He studied and graduated from the Guangzhou City 7th Secondary School. He is now under contract with Universal Records.He is 175 cm tall. In 2008, he performed at the S.U.C.C.E.S.S...
- Julian CheungJulian CheungJulian Cheung Chi-lam , better known as Chilam, is an award-winning Hong Kong singer and actor. Cheung is popularly known for his role as Guo Jing in the 1994 TV series adaptation of the Wuxia novel, The Legend of the Condor Heroes and also as Chi-Kin from the TVB drama Cold Blood Warm Heart...
- Ryan Lau
- Alfred Hui
- Jacky CheungJacky CheungJacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
- Leslie CheungLeslie CheungLeslie Cheung Kwok-Wing , nicknamed elder brother , was a film actor and musician from Hong Kong. Cheung was considered as "one of the founding fathers of Cantopop", and "combining a hugely successful film and music career".In 2000, Cheung was named Asian Biggest Superstar by China Central...
- Louis KooLouis KooLouis Koo is a Hong Kong actor. He was once a notable local television series actor, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 for Detective Investigation Files IV. In recent years, he has focused on film...
- Louis CheungLouis CheungLouis Cheung is a Hong Kong Cantopop recording-artist, songwriter and actor. He has written many songs for other famous cantopop singers, such as Eason Chan, Leo Ku, Hacken Lee, Eric Suen, and Joey Yung...
- Steven Cheung
- Benji Chiang
- Endy ChowEndy ChowEndy Chow Kwok-yin is a Hong Kong singer & composer. His family immigrated to New Zealand when he was 13, and went to Japan to further his studies when he was 19. Endy married a Korean girl he met while studying in Japan, and together they have two daughters....
- Alex FongAlex Fong Lik-SunAlex Fong Lik-san is a professional swimmer-turned-actor and singer based in Hong Kong, nicknamed "Little Flying Fish" for his swimming achievements. As of 2005, he holds several Hong Kong swimming records. He first represented Hong Kong at the age of 11. He also represented Hong Kong at the...
- Khalil FongKhalil FongKhalil Fong was born on 14 July 1983. He is an American born, Hong Kong-based soul Mandopop singer-songwriter signed to the Warner Music Hong Kong.-Biography:...
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- Andy HuiAndy HuiAndy Hui Chi-On is a Hong Kong singer and film actor. Hui was the First Runner-up in the 5th Annual New Talent Singing Awards in 1986. Hui has appeared in about 25 films....
- Ken HungKen HungKen Hung Cheuk Lap is a Hong Kong cantopop singer. He started his career after earning a second place in the EEG Singing Contest . During 2007, he went to help in the office for about 3–4 months cutting newspapers because Mani said he was too shy. Then he finally started recording songs...
- Kelvin KwanKelvin KwanKelvin Kwan is a cantopop singer from Go East, a subdivision of Universal Music.-Family background:Born into a wealthy family, Kwan was raised in Canada. His father is Hong Kong record producer William Kwan, an executive for the Hong Kong division of PolyGram, who played in the band Teddy Robin and...
- Kenny KwanKenny KwanKenny Kwan Chi-Bun is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor, under the music label Emperor Entertainment Group. He was born in the Philippines, but grew up in Hong Kong....
- Michael KwanMichael KwanMichael Kwan Ching-kit is a Hong Kong based Cantopop singer previously with the Philips label , and later with EMI. His back catalogue continues to be published by Universal Music Group. He now works as an architect.-Biography:Kwan was born in 1949 in Hong Kong, he attended St...
- Leo KuLeo KuLeo Ku Kui Kei is a famous China and Hong Kong artist, Cantonese and Mandarin pop singer, actor, host, cartoonist, MV Director and Producer, and designer; he is one of the highest visibility and Greater China Pop Male Artist, a major figure in popular music culture. Leo had earned the "Ten...
- Aaron KwokAaron KwokAaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson...
- Roger KwokRoger KwokRoger Kwok Chun-on is Hong Kong television actor who works on the TV station TVB. Kwok was born in Hong Kong and his native family roots are in Zhongshan, Guangdong...
- Leon LaiLeon LaiLeon Lai is a Hong Kong-based actor and Cantopop singer. The media refer to Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . He uses the stage name "Li Ming" or "Lai Ming" which literally means "dawn."-Biography:...
- Bowie Lam
- Chet LamChet LamChet Lam is a Hong Kong based independent singer-songwriter whose style has been described by many as "city-folk". He is the elder brother of singer Eman Lam.-Biography:...
- George LamGeorge LamGeorge Lam Chi Cheung, also known professionally by his surname Lam, is a Hong Kong-based veteran Cantopop singer and actor of Xinhui area origin. Lam studied at the Diocesan Boys' School in Kowloon, Hong Kong...
- Raymond LamRaymond LamRaymond Lam Fung is a Hong Kong actor and singer contracted to the television station TVB and EEG's Music Plus label. He has been famous with his "choking" look.-Early years:Raymond Lam was born into a wealthy family...
- Jan LambJan LambJan Lamb Hoi Fong is a DJ, pop singer, actor in Hong Kong. Jan is the elder brother of actor/DJ/game host Jerry and younger brother of singer and radio personality Sandy...
- Andy LauAndy LauAndy Lau MH, JP is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, actor, and film producer. Lau has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time...
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- Wilfred LauWilfred LauWilfred Lau Ho-Lung is a Hong Kong singer and actor. He is also known as "師兄" in the entertainment industry. He was the winner of the 16th annual New Talent Singing Awards International Finals in 1997. Many have made comparisons to his voice to the voice of Eason Chan.Wilfred attended St....
- Gene Lee
- Hacken LeeHacken LeeHacken Lee Hak Kan is an award winning Hong Kong based Cantopop singer and lyricist, actor, Master of Ceremonies and Association football sportscaster.-Early years: 1985-1995:...
- Edmond LeungEdmond LeungEdmond Leung Hon-man is a Chinese singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, and television host from Hong Kong. At age 17, Leung became a finalist in the 8th annual New Talent Singing Awards in 1989, which won him a contract with Capital Artists. He made his recording debut in 1990 with the...
- Tony LeungTony Leung Chiu WaiTony Leung Chiu-Wai is a Hong Kong film actor and former TVB actor. A major film star since the 1990s, Leung has won nine Hong Kong Film Awards and three Golden Horse Best Actor awards...
- Don LiDon LiDon Li Yat Long is a Hong Kong singer and actor of the Emperor Entertainment Group, Music Icon Records. Don Li was a finalist in Talent Show 2002 in Hong Kong. In 2003, he began his career in the entertainment industry by acting in television series. In 2005, Li and Mandy Chiang began their music...
- Gallen LoGallen LoGallen Lo Ka-leung is a Hong Kong actor and singer who primarily acts in television series. He is sometimes credited as King Gallen or Law Ka-leung.-Career:...
- Justin LoJustin LoJustin Lo is a singer-songwriter, actor and record producer working in Hong Kong and China.-Biography:Lo was born in Syracuse, New York, and moved to Hong Kong with his parents when he was two years old. He studied at St Paul's Co-educational Primary School and St. Paul's Co-educational College....
- Lowell LoLowell LoLowell Lo is a Hong Kong singer, composer and actor. He wrote the score of many Hong Kong films. He is now also an environmental activist.-External links:*...
- Douglas Low
- Juno MakJuno Mak- Discography :*August 17, 2002 - On The Road*October 4, 2002 - On The Road *March 19, 2003 - Next Step*April 27, 2004 - Proto*January 25, 2005 - Otherside*December 6, 2005 - Walking Underneath + Archives*April 20, 2007 - Chapel Of Dawn...
- Dennis MakDennis MakDennis Mak was a member of the Hong Kong Cantopop group Sun Boy'z. In late 2008, Dennis participated in a soccer competition along with other Hong Kong celebrities. Dennis' final performance with Sun Boy'z was on December 24, 2008 in Guangzhou. He has terminated his contract with EEG...
- Pong Nan
- Deep NgDeep NgDeep Ng is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. He is the winner of the 21st annual New Talent Singing Awards Hong Kong Regional Finals. Deep was well received by the viewers since the New Talent Singing Awards in 2002. His first EP Deep was released in 2003 with the hit debut single "先入為主"...
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- Edwin SiuEdwin Siu-Discography:*2002: Born to Fly*2002: Edwin*2003: What Do You Want Me to Do *2005: Story -Films:-Television serial dramas:-Internet serial dramas:-Awards:- External links :...
- William SoWilliam SoWilliam So Wing Hong is a Hong Kong actor and a cantopop singer. He began his musical career by participating the New Talent Singing Awards in 1985 and won the competition as the first runner up. His performance at that event earned him a record contract with Capital Artists...
- Alan TamAlan TamWing Lun Alan Tam, MH is an award-winning Hong Kong Cantopop and English pop singer and actor. During the early 1980s he played a major role in developing the cantopop scene as he was known for singing romantic ballads with modern arrangements. As of 2008, he is still active in the music...
- Roman TamRoman TamRoman Tam, known by the stage name Lo Man , nickname Law Kee , was a renowned Hong Kong Cantopop singer. He is regarded as the "Godfather of Cantopop".-Career:...
- Patrick TangPatrick TangPatrick Tang is a Hong Kong singer, actor, and TV show host who has been involved in numerous drama and movie productions. He was born 6 May 1974 in Hong Kong. He has three sisters. He started his career with TVB, where he has been from 2000 to the present day.-Television:-Film:-External links:* *...
- Alex ToAlex ToAlex To is a Hong Kong and Taiwan based singer and actor. He is the winner of the 4th annual New Talent Singing Awards in 1985. He has released numerous albums throughout his career and mainly has R&B influenced songs.-Early life and career:...
- Nicholas TseNicholas TseNicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and musician, and son of actor Patrick Tse. He is a member of the Emperor Entertainment Group...
- Wong Cho LamWong Cho LamWong Cho Lam is a Hong Kong artiste currently working for TVB. He works as a stage actor, stage director, television actor, voice actor , DJ, television host, composer, lyricist, and singer. He graduated from The Hong Kong Academy For Performing Arts in 2003 with First Honors in Bachelor of Arts...
- Deric WanDeric WanDeric Wan Siu-Lun is a Hong Kong actor, singer and songwriter who has acted in many movies and TV series and released several music albums. He is most notable for his TV theme songs, including a duet with Nadia Chan, a reproduction of the song What One Wants in Life, and TVB series such as Looking...
- Dave Wang
- Chris Wong
- Paul Wong
- Bosco WongBosco WongBosco Wong Chung-chak is a Hong Kong actor under TVB management and singer under East Asia Music.-Early career:Bosco's entertainment career began in 1998. He was spotted on the street by a talent-recruiter and soon appear for the first time in a lemon tea commercial and several minor modelling jobs...
- Anthony Wong
- James WongWong JimJames Wong Jim was a Cantopop lyricist and writer based primarily in Hong Kong. He was also a well known in Asia as a columnist, actor, film director, screenwriter and talk show hosts. He took part in creative directing positions within the entertainment industry in Hong Kong...
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- Charles YingCharles YingCharles Ying is a Cantopop singer from Hong Kong. After singing the theme song Do I Still Love You of the film Leaving me, Loving you, he was signed by Leon Lai of East Asia Record Production and became one of the new hotly promoted new artists in 2005....
- Shawn YueShawn YueShawn Yue is a Hong Kong actor and singer. A former model, he has starred in many films such as Jiang Hu and Infernal Affairs II and has established himself as a recognized face in Hong Kong cinema.- Background :...
- Samuel HuiSamuel HuiSamuel Hui Koon-kit , usually known as Sam Hui, is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, lyricist and film actor. He is credited with popularizing Cantopop both with the infusion of Western-style music and using popular, street Cantonese jargon in his lyrics writing...
- Yip Sai WingYip Sai WingYip Sai Wing is a songwriter, singer and the drummer of the Hong Kong rock band Beyond. He is the only remaining original member of Beyond.In 1983, Sai Wing, along with the late Wong Ka Kui and a few other friends, formed Beyond....
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Female
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- Bobo ChanBobo ChanBobo Chan Man-Woon is a former Hong Kong singer and model. She was also an actress in several movies and TV-series.-Career:Bobo's first movie role was in 1999's Tempting Heart. In 2001, she debut her first CD, titled Shine. Between 2003-2005, she joined TVB and was featured in four of their...
- Connie ChanConnie Chan Po-chuConnie Chan Po-chu was born in 1946 to impoverished parents, one of at least nine siblings, in Guangdong, China. To increase their children's chances of survival, Chan's birth parents gave away some of their youngest to other families. As a result, Chan was adopted by Chan Fei-nung and his wife,...
- Chelsia ChanChelsia ChanChelsia Chan, also known as Chan Chau Ha is Hong Kong based actress and singer-songwriter. Chan joined the music industry after winning the first prize at an amateur creative singing contest in 1975 in Hong Kong with the English song "Dark Side of Your Mind", which she composed with lyrics...
- Flora ChanFlora ChanFlora Chan Wai-Shan was born in 30 May 1970 in Hong Kong. She is a Hong Kong television and film actress.-Biography:Chan was born in Hong Kong and emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts at a young age. As a child, she had hoped to become a dancer, but because of an injury when she was a teenager, she...
- Kit ChanKit ChanKit Chan is a Singaporean singer.-Music:She was a member of the pioneer generation of Singaporean singers to successfully break into the international market, marked in particular by her breakthrough into the competitive and highly critical Taiwanese market with her hit Mandarin album Heartache ...
- Priscilla ChanPriscilla ChanPriscilla Chan Wai-han is a female Cantopop singer in Hong Kong.-Background:Chan has a younger brother and sister. Her father is a retired senior officer of Hong Kong Immigration Service. She attended Marymount Secondary School in Happy Valley, Hong Kong...
- Vincy ChanVincy ChanVincy Chan is a Hong Kong cantopop singer. Before the handover of 1997 when Hong Kong was returned from Great Britain to China, her family left Hong Kong and went to Singapore when she was a child. She was signed by Emperor Entertainment Group, and debuted with the album Vincy on 27 July 2006.She...
- Kelly ChenKelly ChenKelly Chen is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Kelly has also been known as a diva in Asia. She has a great success in Asia Entertainment industry with nearly 20 million record sales of 38 albums...
- Joyce ChengJoyce ChengJoyce Cheng Yan-yee with family root in Taishan is a Hong Kong singer, writer, actress and performer. She is the daughter of Hong Kong comedian Lydia Shum and actor Adam Cheng....
- Sammi ChengSammi ChengSammi Cheng Sau-Man is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Having enjoyed much success in the Hong Kong music industry, Sammi has been known as a diva and has been one of the most successful female singer in Hong Kong since the 1990s. Her albums have sold more than 25 million copies through...
- Stephanie ChengStephanie ChengStephanie Cheng is a female cantopop singer in Hong Kong introduced by Go East Music . She was born in Hong Kong and studied at Heep Yunn College and the Australian International School...
- Yumiko ChengYumiko ChengYumiko Cheng is a Hong Kong-based Cantopop singer. Cheng was given the Japanese nickname "Yumiko" by her friends in secondary school, and upon signing with EEG, adopted it as her official stagename.-Career:...
- Cecilia CheungCecilia CheungCecilia Cheung Pak-Chi is a Hong Kong actress and cantopop singer. She is the ex-wife of Nicholas Tse, thus being the daughter-in-law of Patrick Tse and Deborah Lee. She and Nicholas have two sons, Lucas and Quintus Tse...
- Teresa Cheung
- Lesley Chiang
- Mandy ChiangMandy ChiangMandy Nga-man Chiang is a Hong Kong singer signed to the Emperor Entertainment Group, Music Icon Rocords. Her music career first began in 2002 when she was partnered with Yumiko Cheng and Maggie Lau to form the female group 3T. The group released one EP and separated shortly after...
- Maggie Fu
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- Charlene ChoiCharlene ChoiCharlene Choi is a Hong Kong based actress and singer. She is a member of Cantopop group Twins, along with Gillian Chung.-Biography:...
- Gillian ChungGillian ChungGillian Chung is a Hong Kong based singer and actress. She is a member of Cantopop group Twins, along with Charlene Choi.-Early life:...
- Rachelle Chung
- Sherman ChungSherman ChungSherman Chung Shu-man, is a Hong Kong cantopop singer. She started her career after winning the 2005 EEG Singing Contest...
- Linda ChungLinda ChungLinda Chung Ka-yan is a Canadian TVB actress and singer based in Hong Kong. She entered the industry in 2004 when she won the 2004 Miss Chinese International Pageant. She is now an actress under TVB and a singer under the Star Entertainment label...
- Niki ChowNiki ChowNiki Chow is a Hong Kong actress and Cantopop singer. She terminated her contract with management company BMA and label BMA Records in January 2011 and currently has an artist contract with TVB. She was born and raised in Hong Kong...
- Vivian ChowVivian ChowVivian Chow is a Hong Kong based Cantopop singer and actress. She is well known for her ladylike stage image as well as her charity works for animal rights and breast cancer awareness....
- Renee Dai
- Theresa FuTheresa FuTheresa Fu Wing is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, film and television actress, and model.Fu was introduced by Talent Bang model agency in order to become a pop star. She started her career in 2002 as one of the members of Cookies, the group disbanded in 2005.In 2005 she recorded a duet "自欺欺人" with...
- Fiona FungFiona FungFiona Fung , also known as Fung Hei-yu, is a Cantopop singer-lyricist based in Hong Kong.- Biography :...
- G.E.M.
- Cherry Ho
- Denise HoDenise HoDenise Ho Wan-See, also known as HOCC, is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer.-1996-2001:Denise Ho was born in Hong Kong and received her education in Canada and Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Hong Kong. She emigrated with her family to Montreal, Quebec at the age of 11. She studied and graduated High...
- Paisley HuPaisley HuPaisley Hu is a Chinese singer and popular TV personality. She was first discovered by Tats Lau of the legendary Tat Ming Pair, and has released 3 albums and 1 EP since the start of her career in the mid-90s...
- Deanie IpDeanie IpDeanie Ip is a Cantopop singer and Chinese actress, known for supporting roles. She has won the Hong Kong Film Awards twice , while her Cantopop albums were released by Universal Music Group and several local labels...
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- Grace Ip
- Elanne KongElanne Kong-Discography:* Innocent * Shining * Show You * Elanne Kwong -TV series:-Film:-External links:* * at Sina Twitter...
- Ella KoonElla KoonElla Koon Yun Na is Hong Kong-based Cantopop singer, actress and model. She is French by citizenship.-Biography:Ella Koon was born in the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, of Cantonese descent. She was raised in Hong Kong and attended high school in Birmingham, England...
- KellyjackieKellyjackieJackie Chan Hiu-ki a.k.a. Kellyjackie is a Hong Kong pop singer and a former member of a band called the Royals. Her artist name, Kellyjackie, is an amalgam of the name of her childhood idol, Kelly Chen, and her own name "Jackie"....
- Jade KwanJade Kwan- About Jade :Kwan entered the New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition 1999 with the song "Face" and was awarded first runner-up. As such, she represented Vancouver in the New Talent Singing Awards Canada Finals 1999 and won...
- Shirley KwanShirley KwanShirley Kwan, Kwan Suk’E, or Kwan Suk Yee is an influential Cantopop singer from Hong Kong. She first shot to fame in 1989 as a pop sensation with the hit, "Happy Are Those In Love" and was popular throughout the early to mid-90s...
- Susanna KwanSusanna KwanSusanna Kwan Kuk-ying is a 1974-1987, 2006-Present Hong Kong female singer. She has recently been an actress for a number of TVB shows. Her nickname is "Big Doll" or "Small Sworn Mother" . She had been married to Lai Siu-tin followed by a divorce. In February 5, 1990 to January 1, 2006, she moved...
- Gigi LaiGigi LaiGigi Lai is a Hong Kong actress and Cantopop singer. Lai was under a contract with the television station TVB and she retired in October 2008. She is popularly nicknamed by the Hong Kong media as the "Goddess of Beauty" ....
- Vivian Lai
- Mag Lam
- Sandy LamSandy LamSandy Lam, also known as Lam Yik Lin, is a Cantopop singer who sings in Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and Japanese.-Career:...
- Winnie LauWinnie Lau Siu WaiWinnie Lau Siu Wai is a Hong Kong singer and actress. She has two daughters with her husband, Edmund So from Grasshopper.-Discography:* Sin Of Lonely* Showing All The Feelings* Denon Mastersonic Series* Unwilling To Part With...
- Coco LeeCoCo LeeCoco Lee , born on 17 January 1975, also known by her official English name as Ferren Lee, is a pop singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. Coco started her career in Hong Kong but, after becoming popular in Taiwan, she was widely considered to be a Taiwan artist. She was born to a Chinese...
- Annabelle Louie
- Eunix Lee
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- Tiffany Lee
- Isabella LeongIsabella LeongIsabella Leong Lok-Sze is a Hong Kong-based actress and former singer.- Career :Her father was a descendant of a prominent Macanese family of Portuguese-English heritage, and her mother is Chinese...
- Cathy LeungCathy Leung-2004-2005:Just graduated from high school, Leung was discovered by Boombeat Music in 2004 for her talent in singing. After signing up and becoming an official singer, her manager and family advised her to complete her university degree before deciding whether to continue in her career or not...
- Gigi LeungGigi LeungGigi Leung Wing-kei is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress.-Biography:Given the name Leung Bik-Zi at birth, at the age of 7 her mother changed her name changed to 'Wing-Kei' for superstitious reasons; as a child, Leung suffered from frequent asthma attacks and it was believed a change of name...
- Toby LeungToby LeungToby Jing-Kei Leung is a female Cantopop singer and actress from Hong Kong. She entered the music industry in 2004 when the MusicNationGroup discovered her talent. Together with Macy Chan, Elise Liu and Bella Cheung they formed the singing group Girl's only Dormitory but later broke up...
- Rain Li
- Prudence LiewPrudence LiewPrudence Liew Mei-Gwan is a multi-platinum selling Hong Kong pop singer and Golden Horse Award winning actress, having released 14 studio albums and appearing in numerous films.-Career start:...
- Candy LoCandy LoCandy Lo is a Canto-rock singer-songwriter and actress from Hong Kong. She has released 9 studio albums, over 40 singles, 2 compilations, 1 live album and 1 EP with Sony Music to date. On June 11 she released her first EP on her new label WOW Music....
- Mimi LoMimi LoMimi Lo Man-Chong , previously credited as Mia Lo is a cantopop singer, actress and radio DJ, having released 11 studio albums and appearing in numerous films, television dramas and stage productions, currently affiliated with TVB in Hong Kong.-Early singing career:Lo was signed to Warner Music...
- Karen MorrisKaren MokKaren Joy Morris, known more commonly in the Sinosphere as Karen Mok or Mok Man-Wai, is a three-time Golden Melody Award-winning Hong Kong-based actress and singer-songwriter.- Biography :...
- Anita MuiAnita MuiAnita Mui Yim-fong was a popular Hong Kong singer and actress. During her prime years she made major contributions to the cantopop music scene, while receiving numerous awards and honours. She remained an idol throughout most of her career, and was generally regarded as a cantopop diva...
- Kary NgKary NgKary Ng is a pop rock singer in Hong Kong. She studied at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. She had made references to her nickname "Lady K" in the album titles "Lady K Live" and "Lady K: Transformation"....
- Yan NgYan NgYan Ng Yat-Yin , born 25 November 1983, is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress.-Filmography:*My Sweetie *Moments of Love *The Unusual Youth *It Had to Be You! *A.V. *Crazy n' the City...
- Cass PhangCass PhangCass Phang is a retired Cantopop singer from Hong Kong, affiliated with EMI in 1993-1998 and since then with Sony Music Entertainment.-External links:*...
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- Fiona SitFiona SitFiona Sit Hoi-Kei is a female singer and actress from Hong Kong.-Biography:Fiona Sit attended Island School and studied Creative Media in City University of Hong Kong until 2004...
- June Tang
- Stephy TangStephy TangStephy Tang is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. She was formerly the lead singer of the pop group Cookies.-Early life:...
- Vangie TangVangie TangVangie Tang Wing-chi is a Hong Kong singer. She is a top 8 finalist of the 22nd annual New Talent Singing Awards in 2003. She is signed to Sony Music of Hong Kong since 2004....
- Teresa TengTeresa TengTeresa Teng , was an immensely popular and influential Chinese pop singer from Taiwan. Teresa Teng's voice and songs are instantly recognized throughout East Asia and in areas with large Asian populations...
- Kay TseKay TseKay Tse is a Hong Kong Cantopop songwriter, recording-artist, entertainer and one of the premier Cantonese singers.Raised In Hong Kong, China. Tse made her debut to the music industry and was signed with Ban Ban Music in 2005 and released her debut album. She became a prominent figure in the...
- Jenny TsengJenny TsengJenny Tseng mostly known in Cantonese speaking regions as Yan Nei, is a Macau-born singer, based in Hong Kong for much of her career. Her father is Austrian while her mother is Chinese....
- Jessica HsuanJessica HsuanJessica Hester Hsuan, or Suen Huen is a Hong Kong actress. Jessica holds a degree from Imperial College London.She is currently one of the most popular television actresses of Hong Kong. She started her career in late 1992 and early 1993...
- Kate TsuiKate TsuiKate Tsui Tsz-shan is the 2004 Miss Hong Kong pageant winner and currently a TVB actress.-Education:Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Japanese. She is skilled in different interests such as acting, dancing, learning languages, and snowboarding...
- Paula TsuiPaula TsuiPaula Tsui Siu-fung is a famous Cantopop singer in Hong Kong. She has been affiliated with the TVB television station until the mid-1990s but has performed for Asia Television Ltd...
- Janice VidalJanice VidalJanice M. Vidal, often credited mononymously as "Janice", is an award-winning female Cantopop, Hong Kong English pop, Jazz and R&B singer based in Hong Kong. She is the twin sister of singer Jill Vidal....
- Jill VidalJill VidalJill Vidal, often referred to as Wei Si or simply as Jill, was a Hong Kong-based female urban pop singer. Vidal is of Chinese, Korean, and Filipino ethnicity with British nationality...
- Liza WangLiza WangElizabeth Wang Ming-chun, SBS, commonly known as Liza Wang, is an accomplished diva, actress and MC in Hong Kong. She is a well-known personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the HK entertainment circle...
- Emme WongEmme WongEmme Wong Yee-Man is a Cantopop singer based in Hong Kong.Wong originally debuted under the name "Dior Wong" in late 2001, as one of Universal Records's promising new pop starlets. As Dior Wong, she sported a clean and youthful image, and released her first EP Pure Impression in November...
- Faye WongFaye WongFaye Wong is a highly successful and influential Chinese singer-songwriter and actress who is usually referred to as a diva . Early in her career she briefly used the stage name Shirley Wong . Born in Beijing, she moved to Hong Kong in 1987 and rose to stardom in the early 1990s by singing...
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- Ivana WongIvana WongIvana Wong was born on 18 June 1979. She is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer-songwriter.-Biography:Wong's first public performance was at the CASH Song Writers contest in 2000 in which her Mandarin piece "It is just misunderstanding and not tragic at all" placed first...
- Linda WongLinda WongLinda Wong was a pornographic actress and one of the first Asians to become a star in the adult film industry. In 1998, Wong was added to XRCO Hall of Fame.-Career:...
- Bianca Wu
- Myolie WuMyolie WuMyolie Wu Hang-yee is a Hong Kong actress for the Hong Kong TVB television station and a singer under contracts with Neway Star-Career:...
- Sally YehSally YehSally Yeh , sometimes written as Sally Yip or Yip Sin-Man, is a Cantopop singer in the Hong Kong music industry and an actress in the Hong Kong film industry.-Overview:...
- Charlie YeungCharlie YeungCharlie Yeung Choi-Nei, sometimes spelled Charlie Young, is a Chinese film actress and singer. She was first noticed after appearing in a jewellery commercial with Aaron Kwok...
- Miriam YeungMiriam YeungMiriam Yeung, RN, is a Hong Kong actress and Cantopop singer. Before entering the entertainment business, she was a registered nurse at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong. She studied at the Holy Family Canossian College Kowloon...
- Frances YipFrances YipFrances Yip Lai-yee is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer. She is best known for performing many of the theme songs for television series produced by TVB in the 1980s and early 1990s....
- Joey YungJoey YungJoey Yung is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress from Emperor Entertainment Group. She won the prestigious JSG "Most Popular Female Singer" and "Ultimate Best Female Singer - Gold" awards a record breaking six times, thus emerging as one of the premier Cantonese singers in Hong Kong...
- Ivana WongIvana WongIvana Wong was born on 18 June 1979. She is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer-songwriter.-Biography:Wong's first public performance was at the CASH Song Writers contest in 2000 in which her Mandarin piece "It is just misunderstanding and not tragic at all" placed first...
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Groups
- 2R2R (group)2R is a cantopop group in Hong Kong. The group consists of Race Wong and Rosanne Wong, two sisters raised in Singapore. Rosanne is the oldest sister....
- 4ando(son)
- AMKAMK (band)AMK, or Adam Met Karl, was a Hong Kong based independent band from 1989-1996. Adam and Karl in the band's name represent Adam Smith and Karl Marx...
- At17At17at17 , consist of Eman Lam and Ellen Joyce Loo, is a Hong Kong based Cantopop and folktronica girl band managed under production company People Mountain People Sea.-Biography:...
- Benji and Lesley
- BeyondBeyond (band)Beyond was a rock band formed in Hong Kong in 1983. The band became prominent in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia. They were also very popular in mainland China. The band was, and still is, widely considered as the most successful and influential Cantonese band from Hong Kong...
- Bliss
- C AllStar
- Cookies
- Cream
- Dear JaneDear JaneDear Jane is a Hong Kong band that consists of Tim Wong - Lead Vocalist, Howie Yung - Bassist/Supporting Vocalist, Adam Diaz - Guitarist/Supporting Vocalist and Jackal Ng - Drummer.- History :*The band was formed in 2003....
- DryDry (group)Dry is a Cantopop music duo that formed between 1997 and 1998 with Mark Lui and Stephen Fung as bandmates. The group was formed when Mark decided to create a band with himself and another person. After meeting Stephen through friends introductions, they agreed to start a music duo with Universal...
- E-Kids
- Echo
- EO2EO2EO2 is a Cantopop dance group in Hong Kong. The name comes from its 4 members with 2 beginning with "E", and 2 beginning with "O". The members are Eric Tse , Eddie Pang , Osman Hung and Otto Wong ....
- FamaFAMAFAMA , literally meaning farmer in Chinese, is a Hong Kong hip hop group founded by DJ Tommy consisting of members C-Kwan and 6-Wing in 2000...
- Freeze
- GrasshopperGrasshopper (band)Grasshopper is a Hong Kong Cantopop boy group formed in 1982. The band consists of Edmond So Chi Wai, Calvin Choy Yat Chi and Remus Choy Yat Kit. Calvin and Remus are brothers and grew up with neighbour Edmond in a poor neighbourhood in Hong Kong. It was Remus who was interested in dancing and...
- HotCha
- KrustyKrusty (music group)Krusty is a Cantopop music group formed by Jan Cheung and Chucky . The group was created under Hong Kong music production company Silly Thing in 2005, and is characterised by its outstanding dancing skill, bright and upbeat melodies and their cute appearance. Probably because of that, the group...
- I Love You Boy'z
- The Jade Band
- LMFLazy Mutha FuckaLMF also known as Lazy Mutha Fucka or Lazy Muthafucka, is a Cantonese hip-hop group in Hong Kong. The group, signed by Warner Music, was founded in 1993, disbanded in 2003 and regrouped in 2009...
- Mister (Mr)
- MP4
- Online
- Ping PungPing PungPing Pung is a Hong Kong-based Cantonese pop-rock group. Gathered by Gold Label in Summer of 2003, the group consists of four members: Kary Ng as the lead singer, Jan and Jerry Lee and DJ Tin "Tim" Ho...
- PixelToy
- Purple Nine
- Raidas
- Rubberband
- Royals
- ShineShine (group)Shine is a Hong Kong Cantopop duo consisting of Tsui Tin-Yau and Wong Yau-Nam . They first signed with EMI then later signed with Warner Music Hong Kong.-Shine:Shine was Fruit Chan's answer to the male version of Twins....
- Sky
- SofthardSofthardSofthard is a Hong Kong rap duo consisting of DJ Soft "Jan Lamb" and MC H "Eric Kot".The rap duo is widely accredited for pioneering the hip hop act to achieve mainstream minor success during the early 90s while on an independent label during the late 80s....
- SohBim
- SolerSoler (band)Soler is a Hong Kong-based rock duo originally from Macau formed by twin brothers Julio Acconci and Dino Acconci , Soler made their Hong Kong debut in early 2005...
- Square
- Sun Boy'zSun Boy'zBOY'Z is a Hong Kong Cantopop duo produced by EEG consisting of members Kenny Kwan and Steven Cheung. Kwan left the group in 2005, and was replaced with Dennis Mak in 2005. In 2006, William Chan joined the group, forming the trio Sun Boy'z...
- Swing
- Tai ChiTai Chi (Band)Tai Chi is a Chinese rock band formed in Hong Kong in 1985 by Patrick Lui , Joey Tang , Gary Tong , Ernest Lau , Ed Sing , and Ricky Chu . They are joined by the 1980s "Band-booming Era" along with Fundamental, Beyond, Tat Ming Pair, Blue Jeans, Small Island, Raidas, Citybeat...
- Tat Ming PairTat Ming PairTat Ming Pair is a Hong Kong singing group, which consists of Anthony Wong Yiu Ming and Tats Lau . The group was formed in 1985 and enjoyed success until 1990 when the group decided to disband. Anthony proceeded as a solo artist while Tats went into acting. The group had a short reunion stint in...
- TwinsTwins (group)Twins is a Hong Kong-based female Cantopop duo which was created in the summer of 2001 by Emperor Entertainment Group . Twins is made up of two girls, Charlene Choi Cheuk-Yin and Gillian Chung Yan-Tung. They were a popular group in Hong Kong and a top band in China. Their fanbase included Japan,...
- The PancakesThe PancakesThe Pancakes is a Hong Kong based, award-winning one-girl band consisting of independent singer-songwriter Dejay Choi. The music of the Pancakes is characterised by Dejay's very innocent, almost child-like voice with bright and catchy melodies...
- The Raiders
- The WynnersThe WynnersThe Wynners are a Hong Kong pop band formed in the 1970s. The five-piece is made up of Alan Tam , Kenny Bee , Bennett Pang , Danny Yip and Anthony Chan .-History:...
- VEGA
- YLK OrganizationYLK OrganizationYLK Organization was a short-lived Hong Kong musical duo and one of the earliest bands under local label People Mountain People Sea. The duo consists of vocal Kitty Yu and musician Keith Chan , who later went on to become an important Cantopop songwriter.YLK Organization launched 2 official...
- Zarahn
- Zen
Major awards
{|class="wikitable"! width=40% | Award
! width=20% | Year started
! width=20% | Origin
|-
| IFPI Gold Disc Presentation || 1977 || Hong Kong
|-
| RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards
RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards
RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards is one of the main C-pop music award in Hong Kong. The award is sponsored by RTHK. Beginning in 1978, it is the oldest major award in Hong Kong, even earlier than the Jade Solid Gold Top 10 Awards. The ceremony is usually held in January following the end of the...
|| 1978 || Hong Kong
|-
| Jade Solid Gold Top 10 Awards
Jade Solid Gold Top 10 Awards
The Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation is one of the main C-pop music award in Hong Kong based on the Jade Solid Gold TVB television show. The award began with the 1984 ceremonial season after the 1983 music season. Historically the ceremony is held in January following the end of...
|| 1983 || Hong Kong
|-
| CASH Golden Sail Awards || 1987 || Hong Kong
|-
| Ultimate Songs Awards || 1988 || Hong Kong
|-
| Metro Hit Music Awards || 1994 || Hong Kong
|-
|}
Cantopop radio stations
{|class="wikitable"! width=20% | Station
! width=20% | Location
! width=50% | Frequencies and Platform
|-
| CRHK Radio 2
Commercial Radio Hong Kong
Commercial Radio Hong Kong , aka Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited is one of only two commercial radio broadcasting companies in Hong Kong along with Metro Radio Hong Kong. It contains a balanced array of entertainment including informative, educational, arts and cultural programmes...
|| Hong Kong || 90.3 FM
|-
| RTHK Radio 2
Radio Television Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the government under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television...
|| Hong Kong || 94.8 FM, 95.3 FM, 95.6 FM, 96.0 FM, 96.3 FM, 96.4 FM, 96.9 FM, and Internet live streaming (channel 2)
|-
| Chinese Radio New York
Chinese Radio New York
Chinese Radio New York is a Cantonese language broadcast originating from New York. The program is simulcast to Philadelphia on WNWR Mondays to Fridays 3 p.m.–8 p.m. On February 1, 2007, Chinese Radio New York started a 24-hour station on the 67 kHz subcarrier of WPAT-FM 93.1...
|| New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
||1480AM
|-
| WNWR
WNWR
WNWR is a radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania owned by Global Radio LLC. Its studio is located at 200 Monument Road, Suite 6, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania and its transmitter is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia....
|| Philadelphia || when it is not doing the news and talkshows
|-
| KEST
KEST
KEST is a radio station in San Francisco, California. Most of the station's programming is foreign, such as Indian, Chinese, and other Asian languages. KEST does English-language programming during the week, usually from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., which consists of New Age Talk.KEST is owned by...
|| San Francisco || 1450 AM
|-
| KMRB
KMRB
KMRB is a radio station in Pasadena, California, USA that broadcasts completely in Cantonese 24 hours a day. It is the sister station to KAZN, which broadcasts in Mandarin...
|| Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
|| 1430 AM
|-
| KVTO
KVTO
KVTO is a radio station broadcasting a World Ethnic format. Licensed to Berkeley, California, USA, the station serves the San Francisco Bay Area...
|| San Francisco || 1400 AM
|-
| CHMB || Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
|| 1320 AM
|-
| Fairchild Radio || Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
|| 1470 AM, 96.1 FM
|-
| Fairchild Radio || Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
|| 1430 AM, 88.9 FM
|-
| Fairchild Radio || Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
|| 94.7 FM
|-
| Music FM Radio Guangdong || Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
|| 93.9 FM, 99.3 FM and internet stream media
|-
| SYN FM || Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
|| 90.7 FM - Cantopop show as part of Asian Pop Night.
|-
| 2AC 澳洲華人電台 || Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
|| (proprietary receivers)
|-
| 2CR
2CR China Radio Network
2CR is a CB station that broadcasts Chinese radio programs in the Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It offers a wide range of informative news and radio shows through their proprietary receiver set....
|| Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
|| (proprietary receivers)
|-
|}
See also
- Music of Hong KongMusic of Hong KongThe Music of Hong Kong is an eclectic mixture of traditional and popular genres. Cantopop is one of the more prominent genres of music produced in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta regularly perform western classical music in the city...
- Hong Kong musical tongue twisterHong Kong musical tongue twisterA Hong Kong musical tongue twister is a melody rhyme that follow a musical tune. Such tongue twisters are extremely short, and contain some addictive background music. Within Hong Kong culture, they have been classified under the heading of TV theme songs. However, they are not songs written in...
- Hong Kong English popHong Kong English popHong Kong English pop are English language songs that are made, performed and popularized in Hong Kong. Known as simply English pop by Hong Kong people...
- Chinese hip hopChinese hip hopChinese hip hop is a relatively new phenomenon; in Chinese music; “hip-hop in Beijing emerged around the year 2000 from African American culture, but it has been part of Chinese culture since the 1980s.” Some of the earliest influences of hip-hop in Beijing came from movies such as Wild Style and...
- J-popJ-pop, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
External links
- C-Pop Fantasie - Online resource for c-pop, providing lyrics, downloads, video shows, and more.
- Pop Saves Hong Kong, in Tofu Magazine #2
- Hong Kong Vintage Pop Radio
- www.hkmusic.cn: Cantopop song listings (in chinese)
- www.mysongspage.com, lyrics and chords for Cantonese, English & Mandarin songs.
- 香港50-80年代粵語流行曲唱片目錄 Disc index
- Come back to love blog
- Lee HC's 黑膠樂園 Disc index
- 香港樂壇25年的發展 article
- [音乐评论][粤语流行四十年]