Trúc Nhân

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (October 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Nguyễn Trúc Nhân (born 30 November 1991 in Bình Định Province), also simply known as Trúc Nhân, is a Vietnamese singer. He was known for participating in The Voice of Vietnam.^[1] Trúc Nhân has had 5 nominations and won 3 times for the Dedication Music Award.

Life and career[]

Trúc Nhân was born in Hoài Nhơn, Bình Định Province but was later raised in Vũng Tàu. After graduating from Trần Nguyên Hãn High School, he moved to Ho Chi Minh City to study graphic design at Văn Lang University, with singing as a Casual Job. In 2012, Trúc Nhân soon joined the first season of The Voice of Vietnam, joining coach Thu Minh and finishing in the top 8.^[2]

2013: Debut with mini album Đông[]

After his elimination of The Voice of Vietnam, Trúc Nhân released his first mini album "Đông" (lit. Winter or East),^[3] including his popular covers from The Voice of Vietnam, such as; "Gió Mùa Về" (originally by Lê Minh Sơn), Đông (originally by Vũ Cát Tường) and Mercy (originally by Duffy). Whilst producing his album, received support from his ex-coach, singer Thu Minh, music producer Nguyễn Hải Phong, and other musicians.

"Originally, the album was called "N". The title "N" contained two meanings; the first letter of my name – Nhân, and expressing my desire to succeed "n" times on the path I chose. However, due to some problems with depicting N-shaped haircuts whilst shooting for the cover album, this creative idea was stopped, and because I don't want give a poor quality product to my fans".

– Trúc Nhân (translated)

2014: Popularity and Bốn chữ lắm[]

Trúc Nhân collaborated with singer the Văn Mai Hương for the song "Tìm" (Search) and was released in May 2014. He continued to collaborate with other artists, this time with Trương Thảo Nhi on the song "Bốn Chữ Lắm" (Too Much Love, Affection, Distance, Pain).^[4] The song was unique for both Trương Thảo Nhi and Trúc Nhân as the entire music video was filmed using a smartphone.^[5] After its release, the song quickly gained popularity, topping music charts and receiving music awards, including Vietnamese Song of the Year 2014^[6]

2015: Surprise song Thật bất ngờ[]

In 2015, Trúc Nhân released the song "Muốn khóc thật to" (Want to cry out loud), produced by Tăng Nhật Tuệ, and later released Thật bất ngờ (Surprise), produced by Mew Amazing. The song, "Thật bất ngờ", directly attacks the Vietnamese entertainment industry as it exposes the use of scandals and harassment as blackmail.^[7] Trúc Nhân shares;

"This song was banned from being sung in a lot of programs – especially live shows due to the sensitive language. I think everyone seems to be misunderstanding it a bit. I think this is a good topic but there are few musicians who are desperate to write about it, so when listening to the demo I wanted to sing it right away, I believe the audience will see many interesting things of showbiz rather than simply the "pink" ones. Viewers will probably love the song because of the catchy melodies, unique lyrics and a curious topic. As for the implied colleagues, I think they will not blame the musician or the song performer because it is just a glimpse of the dark side of showbiz and is not intended to analyze the truth, lies or any commentary about anyone. Perhaps, they will also like this song." – Trúc Nhân (translated)

Trúc Nhân wrote the script for the music video with a satirical style. In the music video, he played the role of a young boy selling newspapers to the people in the neighborhood, talking about the vast world out there, a society so chaotic with so many absurdities. The song received great support from the audience.

2017: Top ratings with Ngồi hát đỡ buồn[]

On 7 July 2017, Trúc Nhân released "Ngồi hát đỡ buồn" (Sing to overcome the sadness) with the compositer Nguyen Hai Phuong, as a soundtrack for film The Girl from Yesterday. The song is about the deep love of the protagonist, but the lyrics are depicted in an happy and exciting way, rather than sentimentally. The composition of the song is a mix of Vietnamese folk music, cowboy Western music. Trúc Nhân also, fittingly, sings in a somewhat shy and arbitrary way, adding further to the style of the song. He also sung more soundtracks for the film, such as "Phượng hồng, Người ta nói" (Flamboyant Pink), another top rated song.

2018: Comeback with Người ta có thương mình đâu[]

After a year's hiatus Trúc Nhân released his comeback music video "Người ta có thương mình đâu" (You don't love me) on 17 July.^[8] The song is a ballad with gentle and somber lyrics, created in collaboration with 9 lyricists and producers. The contents of the song follows the hearts of those who are unable to express their unrequited love for someone else. The pictures within the music video were also made close to the original lyrics, whilst recreating three separate sentimental stories of characters with unrequited love. However, each were not able to have their happy ending, leaving viewers to feel a sense of heartbreak. Trúc Nhân makes an appearance within the music video acting as the inner voice of each character.

2019: Making an impression with Lớn rồi còn khóc nhè and Sáng mắt chưa?[]

In April 2019, Trúc Nhân released the song "Lớn rồi còn khóc nhè" (Grown up, still crying). The song is about the gentle but touching relationship between mother and son from the lyricist of the song, Nguyễn Hải Phong. It explores the idea of growing up into responsibilities and full of worries, distracting oneself to care for their own mothers. The song introduced something new and refreshing to the V-pop music industry.

In August 2019, Trúc Nhân released "Sáng mắt chưa?" (Are you seeing clearly?). The song is about difficulties of love in the LGBT community, and with lyrics and cinematography.^[9] Both the lyrics and music video are about two boys that are in love, but due to family pressure, one is marries into a heterosexual marriage. In the music video, Trúc Nhân plays as the ex-lover of the groom, deciding to take revenge by revealing the groom's closeted homosexuality. Throughout the music video, the lyrics sung by Trúc Nhân act as a non-diagetic warning to the bride with a hint of jealously at their marriage. However, the revenge turns out to be the groom's imagination as Trúc Nhân chooses to leave with a blessing.^[10] The release was praised for being lighthearted, despite the tragedies of homosexuals in society. The music video was shot in Vietnam and Thailand, inviting the dance group Angel Turbo from Thailand's Got Talent, adding to a humorous and entertaining scene during the bridge of the song that was sung in Thai.

Discography[]

Single/Ep[]

Filmography[]

Achievements and awards[]

References[]