Khalil Fong
American male singer-songwriter and music producer, born July 14, 1983 in Hawaii, settled in Hong Kong in 1997. In November 2005 released the first solo album "Soulboy" and formally entered the music scene. In 2017, with 《JTW 西遊記》, received Best Mandarin Male Vocalist at the 28th Golden Melody Awards; in 2021, again with "麵麵", received Best Single Producer at the 32nd Golden Melody Awards. Died on February 21, 2025, aged 41.
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About the artist
Khalil Fong was an American male singer-songwriter and music producer, born July 14, 1983 in Hawaii, settled in Hong Kong from 1997, the family's only son; the father was a Chinese-American drummer, the mother 梁茹嵐 an English-language educator. Because of the parents' work, the Chinese Wikipedia records a move to Shanghai at 6, to Guangzhou at 12, and to Hong Kong at 14; the English Wikipedia records a move to Shanghai at 5, a brief stay in Guangzhou, and a move to Hong Kong at 14. Taught himself guitar at 15, piano at 18.
Before debut first wrote songs behind the scenes for other singers; in 2004 took part in backing vocals on Sammi Cheng's 《多得他》. On May 5, 2005 served as opening guest at F.I.R.'s 拉闊音樂會, performing "春風吹" and "南音". In the same year signed with Warner; on November 18 Warner Hong Kong issued the first studio album "Soulboy". Chinese Wikipedia calls Khalil Fong a pioneer in blending roots blues and soul into Mandopop, and says the works' characteristic is singing Western R&B and soul in Mandarin; 香港01 says Khalil Fong is skilled at the R&B style, citing "Love Song", "三人遊" and "愛愛愛" as examples.
In December 2006 released 《愛愛愛》, the issuing company being Warner Music; on February 1–3 of the next year held the concert "愛愛愛音樂會". At the 2006 Ultimate Song Chart Awards ceremony sang together with Ivana Wong, Hins Cheung and 張繼聰, the four being called "香港唱作四小強". At the end of 2007 released the third album "未來"; the Chinese Wikipedia says Khalil Fong "formally stormed the Taiwan market". On December 19, 2008 put out 《橙月 Orange Moon》. On January 1, 2009, on the strength of "Love Song" being widely played, took the 2008 Ultimate Song Chart Male Singer Gold, Singer-Songwriter Gold and Best Composer Grand Award; Central News Agency records Khalil Fong as the youngest and least-senior winner in the history of Ultimate Song Chart Male Singer Gold.
On August 11, 2009 released the fifth studio album, also the first cover album, "Timeless 可啦思刻"; in the same year contributed to and produced two songs for 李玟's album "CoCo的東西 East to West". In 2010 made a cameo in Wang Leehom-directed 《Love in Disguise》. On April 21, 2011 released the sixth studio album "15", the title commemorating the age of first learning guitar; in the same year appeared on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala on the same stage with 李健 and 蕭敬騰. On January 1, 2012, with "好不容易", took the 2011 Ultimate Song Chart Supreme Song; "15" received Supreme Album; took ten awards that night alone. Another album is 《回到未來》. In 2014 released the eighth studio album "危險世界 Dangerous World" and received a Golden Melody Award nomination.
In July 2013 the Warner contract ended; in August signed with Gold Typhoon. On April 28, 2016 launched the own label "賦音樂 FU MUSIC", and at the same time established 賦影視 FUFILMS and 賦妙思 FUMUSE. In September of the same year released the first album after striking out independently, "JTW 西遊記", Khalil Fong's ninth studio album. In 2017, with this album, received Best Mandarin Male Vocalist at the 28th Golden Melody Awards; the Chinese Wikipedia records Khalil Fong as the third Hong Kong male singer to receive that award. Also nominated in that edition were Jay Chou, 郭顶, Crowd Lu, Yoga Lin, 黃明志 and 大支; Central News Agency records that on the sixth nomination Khalil Fong finally took the male-vocalist crown, saying the celebration banquet could only involve drinking more water; after winning, mentioned having founded the music brand "賦音樂" the previous year and been promoted to boss. Yoga Lin, who did not win that edition, loudly congratulated "Khalil Fong truly deserves the name". In 2018 launched the first set of the bilingual children's picture-book series "艾美夢遊 Emi the dream catcher". In 2021, with "麵麵" from the 2020 digital EP "宅這", received Best Single Producer at the 32nd Golden Melody Awards.
Wikipedia records that Khalil Fong was hospitalized for pneumothorax in September 2010, and thereafter it recurred several times irregularly; from 2020 he settled in Yunnan to recuperate, and said that illness roughly began in 2020–2021 and album-making began in 2022. Central News Agency records Khalil Fong revealing that illness began from 2021, that it was not a deliberate disappearance, and that rest had been ongoing. HK01, citing a September 2024 video, said that because of illness Khalil Fong was in seclusion, and quoted "on the road to recovery". On August 23, 2024, Khalil Fong returned with "才二十三", the first lead single of the new album "夢想家"; in October released the new album "夢想家 The Dreamer", eight years later. Khalil Fong posted that this disc was a "special project during illness", recorded at home at successive stages of illness, and also said physical condition had already greatly improved, but full recovery still needed time.
On March 1, 2025, FU MUSIC issued a statement, revealing that Khalil Fong had passed away on the morning of February 21, aged 41. The statement said that with a positive attitude Khalil Fong had faced a stubborn illness for five years, and that day left peacefully and serenely. on.cc recorded that the agent, responding on funeral matters, said "Let's not talk much about the details; please leave a little space for the family", and recorded that the manager was unwilling to confirm online rumours, saying there was no knowing where those claims came from, and considering the deceased already gone. The funeral parlor of Dali City, Yunnan Province, confirmed that the funeral was held at that parlor on March 1, then cremation locally. 張繼聰 said it was too sad, and wrote on social media "Love u so much bro".
At the 36th Golden Melody Awards in 2025, Khalil Fong received the Jury Award with the posthumous work 《夢想家》, and with "才二十三" took Best Composer, collected by mixing engineer Eric Lau; Eric Lau said it was an honour to receive the invitation from Khalil Fong's mother to collect the award. At the nomination stage, "才二十三" was nominated for Song of the Year, composer and lyricist; "夢想家" was nominated for Mandarin Album and other awards. CNA quoted 丁晓雯 saying that because Khalil Fong had no Taiwan national ID, there was no chance of the Special Contribution Award. At the ceremony 魏如萱 sang "愛愛愛" in remembrance.
Overview
- Born
- July 14, 1983
- Born in
- Kauai County · United States
- Died
- February 21, 2025aged 41
- Died in
- Dali · Mainland China
- Career start
- First album · 2005
- Active
- 2005 – 202520 years
- Gender
- Male
- Aliases
- 方大同, Soulboy
- Instruments
- Vocals, Piano / Keyboard, Guitar
Catalogued works & releases
No catalogued works yet.