It is the worst kept secret in Chinese pop. Newcome Guililai Amit is none other than Taiwanese singer A-mei.
The album title "Amit" already gives the game away as it also stands for A-mei-"Music is transformed".
No matter, recording the new album under her Puyuma tribal name seems to have fried up the 37-year-old singer, and fans have taken to the slightly more adventurous offerings. Tracks such as alter Ego"and"After the Sentimental Love of Animals" have topped Radoo 100.3's singles chart.
Controversy over a risque music video from the album for "Black Eat Black", which featured masochistc amd sexual themes, does not seem to have hurt either.
Since her debut in 1996 with the massive hit album "Sisters", the rhrid youngest child in a family of nine has had more than her fair share of highs and lows.
She was banned from performing in China for two years after singing at former president Chen Shui-bain's inauguration ceremony i n 2000, graced the over of Newsweek in 2001, had a disappointing album in "Maybe Tomorrow" (2004) and then bounced back with "I Want Happiness!?" in 2006.
This year was looking hgood for her, afte a well-received new album as well as relationship with basketballer He Shoucheng. Then tragedy struck: she lost her uncle and grother-in-law when Typhoon MOrakot hit Taiwan in August.
Nothing can keep her down, though. She spoke to the Straits Times by phone from Tiapei recently.
Is it true that you are a fan of former F1 champion Michael Schumacher?
It takes a high level ofskill and quick relfexes to take part in an F1 race and every racer is amazing.
I'm envious. I love to drive but I can't drive that fast so I love the thrill of watching them race.
How eid you approach the recording of "Amit"?
Everything from the songs to the themes to the visuals was conceived as a totality. It was not meant to be different for the sake of being different.
I didn't want Amit to come with too much baggage, that she should sing or not sing certain kinds of music. Whether picking the songs or recording in the studio, I needed to discard what was associated with A-mei and my usual style of expression.
Were you worried that you fans would not be able to accpet this change?
People have already associated A-mei with a certain style of music and have not been able to accept something new.
I thought that using a different persona would overcome that. But if you worry about album sales, then you might as well not make albums anymore.
How did your family react to the risque video?
I prepared them for it beforehand. They know that I have very strict demands of my music Whatever I wish to do or express, I want it to be conveyed 100 per cent and they were supportive of me.
What can we expect from Amit in future?
I think the starting point for each Amit album will be a diffeent theme. Maybe the next one could be vry folkish and easy-going or it could be an A-mei release, a very mainstream pop album with either dance tracks or love ballads.
Music is about being led by my emotions and expressing what I want to express.
Complete this sentence: If I could live my life all over again.
I think I would make the same choices but live with greater passion. Looking ahead, I hope that I'll continue to be as passionate about music and performing on stage.
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