The Star Online: Entertainment: Music
The Star Online: Entertainment: Music |
| Significant 15: Turning point for Khalil Fong Posted: 28 Jun 2011 08:42 PM PDT Khalil Fong's latest offering introduces the blues to his listeners. LIKE many teenage boys, popular Hong Kong singer Khalil Fong picked up the guitar at the age of 15. But unlike the majority of those axe-wielding adolescents who perhaps learnt to play the guitar to impress babes, Fong would never serenade a girl. "I find it very show-offish. It is very weird and I don't do that because I don't like to show off," says the 28-year-old musician, who has just released his latest album titled 15, the age at which he learnt to play the guitar, in addition to his skills on the piano and drums. He adds: "It's a little poseur to do that." Fong, who is currently single, has not really changed. He still does not make music for the approval of others. In 15, he wants to introduce Mandopop listeners to the blues, an African-American style of music that originated in the Deep South of the United States in the 19th century. Sure, he knows he could lose fans in the Mandopop market that famously prefers catchy pop tunes, but he is sticking to the genre that he is passionate about. "Some people may not like it, I can't please everyone. But I may gain a few more fans and expose them to a new form of music," says Fong, whose talent and soulful, R&B-flavoured pop have been compared to Mandarin pop superstars Jay Chou and David Tao's. "Mandopop is definitely lacking in the blues genre. I hope listeners will become more interested in it and want to learn more about it, including its background and culture." His interest in a uniquely American genre of music that evolved from the work songs of slaves is as unconventional as his growing-up years. Born in Hawaii, he moved to China with his family when he was six and returned to his family's hometown, Hong Kong, at 14. Fong says that his musical identity is "black". "I am very much influenced by African-American music. Having lived in a few places over the years, I am a hybrid of both East and West, culturally speaking, and these experiences influence me in my music as well," he explains. Little wonder his nickname in the industry is Soulboy. He has come a long way from the days of sending out demos to record labels. Since landing a recording contract in 2005, he has released six studio albums, including the latest. As with any Mandopop star who is worth his weight in gold records, the geeky-chic singer with the signature black-rimmed spectacles has his fair share of passionate fans. In particular, he cannot forget the time he met an overzealous fan in China. "Someone yanked my hair and shouted loudly in an excited manner: 'I pulled Khalil Fong's hair!'. I found it very amusing that she would scream that out. That was crazy." – The Straits Times, Singapore/Asia News Network ■ Khalil Fong's latest album 15 is out at major CD stores here. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| R&B diva LaBelle files countersuit in beating case Posted: 28 Jun 2011 07:17 PM PDT HOUSTON (AP): Veteran R&B diva Patti LaBelle says in a countersuit filed against a West Point cadet who claims she ordered her bodyguards to beat him up outside a Houston airport terminal that the altercation began after the cadet hurled racial insults at her. But an attorney for the cadet, Richard King, denied his client ever said any racial slurs to LaBelle. King's attorneys say he was waiting to be picked up by family outside one of the terminals at Bush Intercontinental Airport on March 11 when three of LaBelle's bodyguards attacked him without provocation. King, who was in his hometown of Houston while on spring break from West Point, filed his lawsuit earlier this month, naming LaBelle, the three bodyguards, one of whom is the singer's son, and two others as defendants. King's lawyers say the alleged attacked resulted in a concussion and lingering dizziness and headaches for the cadet. A surveillance video from the airport that was previously released by King's attorneys shows the 23-year-old cadet being pushed and punched by two men and a woman, all alleged to be LaBelle's bodyguards. LaBelle filed a countersuit last week, accusing the cadet of attacking her bodyguards after he directed profane and racial slurs toward the singer. In the countersuit, LaBelle's lawyers accuse King of being intoxicated, staggering around outside the terminal, screaming obscenities and trying to enter the singer's limousine. King was politely asked to walk away from the vehicle, according to the countersuit. King's attorneys have said the cadet had a few drinks on the flight to Houston but denied he was intoxicated. "King directed profane and racial slurs towards LaBelle. When LaBelle's son (Zuri Edwards) heard the profanity and racial epithets, he informed King that the woman in the limousine was his mother," the suit said. "Without warning or provocation, King violently and deliberately punched Edwards in the face." The surveillance video, which has no audio, shows King talking on a cell phone when one of LaBelle's bodyguards appeared to push up against him. It appeared that King then pushed him back. King's attorneys have said King did not push back but was protecting himself from a punch. The bodyguards told Houston police King attacked them. King's attorney, John Raley, said LaBelle's claim that the cadet hurled racial slurs at her is part of her "attack" on "an innocent man by telling the same false story they told the police." "Several eyewitnesses saw and clearly heard the incident. The counter-claim is completely without merit," Raley said in a statement. The case, which was originally filed in Houston state civil court, has been moved to federal court by LaBelle's attorneys, Raley said. The initial police investigation named King as the suspect in the case. But since the lawsuit was filed, the Houston police department reopened its investigation and it is also looking into the actions of two officers who were seen on the surveillance video taking photos with LaBelle after the alleged beating. Raley said the incident was reported to West Point, which suspended the cadet for at least one year and ordered him to go on active duty. King's lawsuit and LaBelle's countersuit are asking for unspecified damages. LaBelle's singing career has spanned more than four decades and includes several hit records and two Grammy Awards. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
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