Project Description
Interview with
TU P
(AKA Tu Pham)
Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs
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When did you start writing music and rapping? Has that always been an important part of your life?
I started writing music and rapping when I was 14, shortly after I first discovered hip-hop.
What musicians and rappers did you grow up listening to?
My first influence 2Pac, after that it was Lauryn Hill, Public Enemy and Bone Thugs N Harmony.
How would you say your music has evolved since your debut album, ‘Made Of Jade’ was released in 2012?
Made of Jade broached my upbringing and coming of age. My music since then has evolved to keep up with the pace of the rapidly changing news cycle, and has taken on issues bigger than myself.
Your new single is titled ‘Coronavirus Brings Out The Worst (And Best) Of Us’, and it is a spectacular take-down of fake news, political inaction, and corporate greed, while also celebrating the resilience of humanity. What made you want to write the song?
So much has happened in a short period of time. There’s so much misinformation, panic, bigotry and poor leadership out there that needed to be called out, but also examples of human resilience and ingenuity which needed to be elevated.
What do you hope people take away from the single and remember in their daily lives?
That everyone can do their part to help out.
As a doctor, what has concerned you most about the Coronavirus pandemic and the varied responses from around the world?
I am concerned about the lack of leadership from autocrats who don’t listen to the scientists.
What are some of the more positive things you have witnessed come out of the pandemic so far? How do you feel people can spread positivity in a productive way during in this time?
The ability for the public to joint together for a cause bigger than their individual selves, and delaying gratification to secure a future for humankind.
There is also a shortened version of the single available for download exclusively on Triple J Unearthed! Why should listeners consider checking out the shorter version?
I put a shortened version of just the positive responses to Coronavirus, for those who didn’t want to get bogged down with the negative responoses and the politics.
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Late last year you released your single ‘Save Our Seas’ featuring Mark Sickmind, Mei Lee and Petrofsky, which received radio play all across Australia. How did that collaboration come about?
I’ve collaborated with Mark before, and I got him onboard because of his experience as a Filipino artist, and I got in contact with Mei via a contact in med school.
That single has some very powerful lines, like “They claim reclamation, but how can you reclaim what never belonged to your nation?” What prompted you to write this single, and what does it mean to you?
Many of the ASEAN countries have had their sovereignty eroded in their seaspace, and I wanted to write a song to remind our neighbours to not forget the underdog.
What message or understanding do you hope people might find in ‘Save Our Seas’? How important is it to you that your music spreads awareness and has an impact on listeners?
I want people in Australia and in western countries to know that Asia is not just one unit, that it is a diverse region of many stories and identities, which need to be preserved.
The video for ‘Save Our Seas’ gained over 1.5 million views on Facebook! How did you decide where you filmed the video? Did you enjoy filming it?
I basically had to just find a place that looked nautical enough that was accessible! A lot of the other good places were under heavy guard. It was enjoyable as long as we stayed out of trouble!
Are you working on any other music at the moment? Are there any political issues you think you might consider addressing through your music in the future?
I’m working on a follow up song with Mark “Long Live Our Seas”. I have recorded some new songs about prison reform, custody battles, drug addiction and love after trauma. I will regularly release music about the current political climate, because there is too much to talk about (unfortunately).
If you could collaborate with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would they be? And why?
I would like to collaborate with Kendrick Lamar, he’s a legend of our generation.
When it is possible, are you hoping to do any live gigs? Where do you see yourself taking your music career in the future?
Hope to do some live shows when it’s possible – it would be interesting to see how the scene evolves after COVID19. I would like to release some concept albums, and broaden my involvement in health promotion and in media.
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Connect online with TU P
Facebook – Reverbnation – triple j Unearthed
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TU P
Brisbane rapper releases new single + video
‘CORONAVIRUS BRINGS OUT
THE WORST (AND BEST) OF US’
Brisbane based rapper Tu P has just released his powerful new single and video ‘Coronavirus Brings Out The Worst (And Best) Of Us’.
Tu P (AKA Tu Pham) works as a doctor in family and mental health and has composed a track commenting on the COVID-19 pandemic, touching on cover-ups, political inaction and the human spirit.
He debuted in 2012 with the release of his album ‘Made Of Jade’.
In his career to date he has performed multiple shows in Brisbane, Sydney, London and New York. He has headlined Rhyme, Rhythm and Reason and has been a panel member at the Pho’nomenal BrisAsia Festival and Inter-Asia Pop Studies conference at Monash University.
Tu P released his single and video ‘Save Our Seas’ featuring Mark Sickmind, Mei Lee and Petrofsky late last year. The video gained over 1.5 million views on Facebook and was aired on radio across Australia.
A shortened version of the new single is available for download exclusively on Triple J Unearthed. This version of the track highlights the ‘best’ aspects of humanity throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
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