Emerging as a "new phenomenon" with a series of popular hits, Tang Duy Tan (born in 1995) quickly found his place in the Vietnamese music scene. To achieve this, the young man from Quang Tri province worked hard to break free from his shell, transforming himself from a tour guide into a renowned singer, songwriter, and music producer.
Tang Duy Tan transforms his style with many different looks - Photo: Provided by the interviewee
My dream is to build a house for my parents.
These past few days, Tang Duy Tan has been incredibly busy with major programs and projects. In particular, as the Music Director of the Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2023 pageant, he and his colleagues have been working at full speed to ensure the program's progress. Even with little time left to rest, the young man from Quang Tri decided to work with his parents to complete their house in his hometown. It's a dream Tan has cherished since childhood, and he wants to fulfill it himself.
Tan was born and raised in Cau Ha, Hai Phong commune, Hai Lang district, a flood-prone area. His parents toiled year-round in the fields and gardens to earn money to support their children's education. However, all their efforts were in vain whenever the raging floodwaters came. Because of this, poverty clung to Tan's family. His childhood was haunted by his mother's anxious sighs every time the school year began. She didn't know what extra work she could do to provide for her three children's education.
Tang Duy Tan is the nephew of musician Tran Hoan and the cousin of singer Tung Duong. Therefore, artistic blood flowed in his veins from a young age. Yet, this poor boy rarely shared his dream of becoming a singer and songwriter with others. His mind urged him to study hard, get into university, graduate, find a job, and then return to build a house for his parents. He feared their old house wouldn't be strong enough to withstand the harsh storms and floods of Central Vietnam.
After graduating from Hue University of Science, Tan moved to Hoi An, Quang Nam province to make a living. He did all sorts of jobs to fulfill his childhood dream. During his struggles to make ends meet, although he earned some money to support his family, Tan's happiness was incomplete. He felt as if he owed something to his youth.
Night after night, as he lay down on his old bed in Hoi An, he would remember the days he lived life to the fullest with music in the heart of Hue City. There, he had plenty of time to explore, play musical instruments; immerse himself in hip-hop dances; and sing, even if it was just to "buy time" for the organizers waiting for famous singers to arrive... His emotions were heightened, and suddenly a melody and tune popped into Tan's head. Unable to let his youth wait any longer, he decided to go to Hanoi to pursue his dream of becoming a singer and songwriter.
" A new musical phenomenon"
While Ho Chi Minh City brought Tang Duy Tan fame, Hanoi provided him with opportunities for self-improvement and growth. Having a stable job and income, his sudden decision to pursue a new path drew many disapproving glances. The pressure from those watching him also grew increasingly intense.
During Tet (Vietnamese New Year), Tan didn't dare go home for fear of hearing hurtful remarks like, "You sing all year round, and yet you can't even afford a decent shirt to wear for Tet." He shared, "What hurts me most is that those words have been and are still suffocating my parents' hearts. I know they're sad because of my choice. I've had to do some 'ideological work' with them."
Tang Duy Tan performs his song on stage - Photo: Provided by the artist.
Determined not to disappoint his parents again, after two years of training in Hanoi, on February 16, 2020, Tang Duy Tan decided to move south. Upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, although unsure of his future, the young man from Quang Tri felt a surge of new energy. He believed this would be fertile ground for him to reach the pinnacle of his artistic career.
That belief quickly became a reality when his songs like "First Love," "Innocence," and "Night Dance" garnered audience attention. In 2022, Tang Duy Tan was honored as a "new phenomenon in Vietnamese music" with his hit "Above the Upper Floor." At the Dedication Awards, this song was named "Song of the Year." Around the same time, Tang Duy Tan was recognized as a "New Star" at the "Star of the Year" awards organized by Ngoi Sao Newspaper and the "Green Wave" awards.
From a young man who arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to start his career, Tang Duy Tan's name is now frequently mentioned in charts and awards. To live up to his audience's expectations, he always strives to excel in various roles: singer, songwriter, music producer... Therefore, he is loved and respected even more. This is also the motivation for him to continue striving and conquering new heights.
Looking back on his achievements, Tan humbly considers them small. What he considers truly something to be proud of is realizing his dream of building a house for his parents. “I used all my savings to build a house for my parents in Quang Tri. During construction, the costs doubled compared to the initial estimate. My father was worried about the hardship and called several times wanting to cut back on certain aspects. I told them to rest assured. I was willing to endure hardship as long as they could be happy,” Tan confided.
Don't use fame as a measure of success.
The sudden fame overwhelmed Tan. There were times when, overwhelmed by the immense love from his fans, he was exhausted from performing. Each time he returned home, he could only collapse onto his bed. That's when he realized he needed to slow down to maintain his image and secure his place in the hearts of his audience. He deeply understood that emotion is the most important thing in nurturing an artist's potential. He didn't want to return home empty-handed after a performance.
Singer Tang Duy Tan (left) was honored at the Dedication Awards, in the "Song of the Year" category - Photo: Provided by the artist.
Because of this, there was a period when Tang Duy Tan was almost absent from the music scene. Many artists in the industry advised him to do things differently. According to them, this was a "golden time" to make money and gain more fans. Those pieces of advice had some impact, but not much. He confided: "Honestly, like many other artists, I was afraid that the audience would forget me. However, if I continued like this, I wouldn't be myself anymore. I want singing to truly be about living with emotion, not just going on stage and taking the money home. I can't compromise that."
During this period of reflection, Tan gained a clearer understanding of his future path. He realized that fame couldn't be the sole measure of his success. Coming from a humble background and being a complete newcomer to the profession, he knew he had to work twice as hard as others. He embraced both praise and criticism and translated it into concrete actions, such as: taking vocal lessons; improving his performance style; and finding a team of stylists and makeup artists to support his image.
Tang Duy Tan has become stricter with himself, even in matters of diet and exercise. This transformation has quickly yielded results. Most recently, his comeback music video, "Cutting the Sorrow in Half," quickly climbed the charts, reaching the number one trending video on YouTube Vietnam.
Despite being a famous artist, Tang Duy Tan still retains the simple, down-to-earth nature of a Quang Tri native. He avoids socializing with friends and going to bars; he says no to stimulants... Expensive designer goods are not enough to entice Tan. Whenever he has free time, he wears shorts and flip-flops to go to sidewalk cafes; chats with motorbike taxi drivers; and relaxes his mind with the hobby of fishing... This young singer likes to return to his family, to breathe in the air of his hometown, a place he cherishes and misses.
Truong Quang Hiep
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