African-American rap and R&B acts such as Dru Hill and the Wu Tang Clan have entered the arena of the music industry under the guise of an Asiatic cultural alter ego. Whether it was conceived as a visual concept or a discipline, the groups affinity for chop sticks and karate flicks have helped to broaden the scope of presentation for upcoming and existing artists. However, the aesthetics dont outweigh the potency of the product. Dru Hills platinum dragon would not have had an impact without the vocal skill and harmony of its members. The Wu Tang Clans moniker wouldnt have been implanted in the minds of teenagers who decorate project staircases or of those affixed near the manicured lawns of suburbia, if their rhymes didnt melt mics. The cultures fused without anyone losing their identity, and more importantly, the consumers responded with open arms. Eight million records later, the idea of a twenty-five year old man wearing a t-shirt with a caricature of a topless swordsman isnt so far fetched. However, will they be just as accepting if the opposite occurred? Would the market of music embrace an Asian artist who would rather do a duet with Mary J. Blige rather than Britney Spears?
Baiyu thinks so.
Just as other artists must prove themselves in the eye of the public, Baiyu is eager to do so. Not because she is Chinese. Not because she is Chinese and wants to sing black music. It is simply because she can sing.
Having been born in Xiamen, China to musically gifted parents, Baiyu Chen has been forging her path prior to her arrival in the United States. In China she learned to read and compose music at the age of six without any formal training and sang in school choirs solidifying her confidence and love for music. At the age of eight she, her father Youping Chen and mother Yiyin Liu moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland. While in the DC area, her father gained popularity as a bamboo flute player. Simultaneously Baiyu's interest in American music began to materialize. Before she learned English, female icons Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston captivated Baiyu. Even though she didnt understand the words, the emotion and power from these soulful divas embarked a newfound romance in Baiyu for music. This renewed focus coupled with her adoration of music kept her singing in school choirs from elementary to high school. Baiyu immersed herself in activities outside of music such as kickboxing, Chinese dance, ballet and modeling. As a model she participated in the Seventeen magazine fashion show and appeared in two independent films. Irrespective of her hopes to become an entertainer she remained focused in her studies at Quince Orchard High School and graduated in three years. Baiyu is currently a student at Princeton University, where she is a member of the Black Arts Dance Company and a vocalist for the Universitys Jazz Ensemble. She can be seen as a featured regular on the MTVu show, The Freshmen.
Baiyu realizes that attaining her dreams will not be an easy task. As with most aspiring artists she has made decisions that has cost her time but has helped her to gain valuable experience. Armed with intelligence, patience and ingenuity, Baiyu intends to prove that she can change the preconceived notion of the R&B singer, and contribute to a category of music that is her passion.
