A-mei
| a MEI | |||||||||
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A-mei 2010 World Tour in Taipei Arena
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| Background information | |||||||||
| Chinese name | 張惠妹 (traditional) | ||||||||
| Chinese name | 张惠妹 (simplified) | ||||||||
| Pinyin | Zhāng Huìmèi (Mandarin) | ||||||||
| Birth name | Amit Kulilay | ||||||||
| Origin | Taiwan | ||||||||
| Born |
9 August 1973 Beinan, Taitung County, Taiwan |
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| Other name(s) | Amit | ||||||||
| Occupation | Singer | ||||||||
| Genre(s) | Mandopop, Pop rock, Rock music, R&B | ||||||||
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, drums | ||||||||
| Voice type(s) | Soprano | ||||||||
| Label(s) |
Universal Music (2014-present) Gold Typhoon (2007–11) Warner Music (2001–07) Forward Music (1996–2001) |
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| Years active | 1996–present | ||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||
| Also known as | A-mei, Chang Hui-mei | ||||||||
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Awards
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a MEI (Chinese: ; pinyin: Āmèi) is the stage name of the aboriginal Taiwanese pop singer and songwriter Chang Hui-mei (). Born as Amit Kulilay in the rugged mountains of eastern Taiwan, she made her debut in the world of music in 1996, achieving rapid commercial success. She has been called a diva of the Mandarin pop music scene and the "Pride of Taiwan". She has won numerous music awards and is popular within the Mandarin-speaking world.
A-Mei was born in Beinan Township, Taitung County. She is a member of the Puyuma nation. Like most Taiwanese aborigines, she was exposed to tribal music during her childhood. Her mother used to record herself singing, then play back the tape for her daughters to hear. A-mei had always been fascinated by music; she once said that she stuck to the radio and would rush to watch the late night music program introducing English songs when she was a little girl. She also showed great eagerness to perform in public, even forcing her friends to listen to her sing.
A-Mei first connected to the entertainment business by joining the televised "Five Lights Singing Contest" on TTV in 1992 after encouragement by her father, who was ill at that time, and her already relocated to Taiwan. A-Mei made it all the way through to the finals but eventually lost in the final round.
She was disappointed and was almost ready to give up interest in music competitions. A-Mei's father then told her, "You definitely can sing, and you perform songs beautifully. Why don't you enter the competition again to show that you have a talent for music?" So encouraged, A-Mei then decided to make a second attempt late in 1993. Her performances impressed the judges, and in 1994 A-Mei was awarded the championship. Her father succumbed to his sickness before her victory, however, leaving her greatly distressed. In the wake of his death, A-Mei struggled to rediscover her passion for music until she began to sing in pubs with a rock band formed by her musician cousin.
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Wikipedia