Hacken Lee

Hacken Lee

Hacken Lee in concert 2013
Chinese name
Pinyin Lǐ Kèqín (Mandarin)
Jyutping lei5 hak1 kan4 (Cantonese)
Birth name
Origin Hong Kong
Born 6 December 1967
Hong Kong
Occupation Singer, Lyricist, Actor, TV Host
Genre(s) Cantopop, Occasional Mandopop
Instrument(s) Vocals, Piano, Chinese Drums
Voice type(s) Tenor
Label(s) PolyGram Records (1985-93)
Universal Music (1999present)
Years active 1985-present
Spouse(s) Emily Lo Suk-yi(2006-present)
Children Ryan Lee Lap-yan, born on 22 October 2007
Rex Lee Lik-sze, born on 27 March 2010
Influences Alan Tam
Official Website www.hackenleenet.com

Hacken Lee Hak Kan (born 6 December 1967) is a popular cantopop singer, lyricist, actor, master of ceremonies, and association football sportscaster in Hong Kong. A unique singer who has continuously received multiple music awards across four decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s), Hacken remains one of the few singers in Hong Kong with high popularity who continues to release his albums regularly. With a voice well known as crystal-clear and strong, Hacken has been crowned the elegant title of "Zero Defect Vocals"[1] alongside Heavenly King Jacky Cheung.

In 2013, Hacken's song "House of cards" swept multiple awards in many grand award ceremonies, including "World's Best Song" and "Boardcasting Index" in Metro's Awards. As of 2013, he has reached 14 times in receiving the "Outstanding Pop Singer Award" at RTHK's "Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards" and has established an irreplaceable status in the music industry of Hong Kong and Asia.

Biography

Early years: 1980s

While Hacken Lee was still studying at Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, he entered the TVB new talent show along with Alex To, William So, Vivian Chow and Grasshopper, though he was unable to make it into the top 30 finalists. He then participated in the Second Hong Kong 18 District Singing Contest in 1985, a competition which he won with his rendition of Alan Tam's song "Love in the Fog." He was subsequently offered a contract with PolyGram Records.[2]

After signing with Polygram Records, Hacken released his debut EP album "Hacken Lee EP", but it did not reach the sales in 5,000 mark. He launched his second album "Symbol of Destiny" next in 1987, which adapted the song composed and sung by Kawai Naoko's "ハー フムーン·セレナーデ", Chinese named as "Halfmoon Serenade".

Although Hacken's popularity was not high as a newcomer in the industry, his starring in TVB dramas in the late 1980s began to gain him greater recognition. His performance in TVB's youth drama series "Teenage No More" (不再少年時), which broadcast in the summer of 1988, as well as his excellent portrayal of the drama's theme song, impressed the audience and made the record sales of his album "Myth of Summer" soar. The year 1989 marked the first peak in Hacken's career, where his song "Unchanged in Lifetime", the theme song of ATV's cantonese version of the drama series "Blue Moon," won both RTHK "Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards" and "TVB Jade Solid Gold Awards."

In 1990s

In 1990, with Alan Tam and Leslie Cheung fading out in the Hong Kong music industry, Hacken Lee, Jacky Cheung, and Andy Lau were dubbed as "Three Musketeers in the music industry" by the media and were hailed as "tomorrow's highly anticipated superstars." Later on that year, however, due to the contract disputes between Hacken and his company, Hacken's career began to take a nose-dive, and also indirectly led to him not becoming a Heavenly King.

In 1992, Hacken's career began to rise when he released the song "Red Sun" (紅日), for which he penned the Chinese lyrics that made it popular. Until now, it is still considered a classic for inspirational songs in Hong Kong. In 1993, Hacken switched to Star Record Company and released the song "Look Back," which once again boosted his singing career and allowed him to win TVB Jade Solid Gold's Golden Award as well as reach the top five nominees for the Most Popular Singer Award. By virtue of his momentum, Hacken held his first solo concert at Hong Kong Coliseum late the same year. On the first day of ticket sales, his concert tickets were sold out in just a few hours.[2] When additional tickets were made available, all 8 days' worth of concert tickets were sold out immediately.

In 1994, Hacken was crowned the title of "Zero Defect Vocals,"[1] alongside Jacky Cheung who was named "Perfect Vocals" the year before, and as well as the successor of the famous Alan Tam, who Lee idolized since he was little.[3]

In 1995, after the unprecedented success of his first solo concert, Hacken was full of confidence to held his second concert again at Hong Kong Coliseum, "Dragon '95 Hacken's Contact of Hear Concert", total of 10 days. But the box office was very poor unfortunately, the worst situation was less than 40% attendance figures. This experience also is one of the most embarrassing thing in his singing career. His momentum continues to decline after the concert, together with contractual disputes between the record company, Hacken's singing career was started to fell in the trough.

At 1996, Hacken was switched to another company, issued the album "When I Found You", the sales and popularity seemed to be improved slightly. However, due to several personnel changes and contractual disputes, since the released the album "By Hacken Side", his career became stalled, even the new album was postponed indefinitely.

In Summer 1998, Hacken was chaired as TVB for World Cup association football's sportscaster, and he composed and sing the song for the program, "Adverture of football fans", the song was popular though streets and lanes, the record company launched a selection album by this momentum. As an avid Manchester United fan, he also is the chairperson and president of its Hong Kong Fan Club. He also penned a public outcry against embattled former manager David Moyes on Lee's personal Weibo.

After the contract was expired with the record company, Hacken had quite a long period cannot found a suitable recording company, he fought in TV media from singing career, filming drama and host the TV programs, such as Jade Solid Gold, to maintain the popularity.

In late 1999, Hacken had under no music contract for more than 12 months, he signed to Universal Music (former PolyGram) then, and issued his album "A Year Or So". In December, he had a musical performance with the Hong Kong Repertory, named "Adventure". This musical perform across the centuries, welcoming the coming of millennium.

In 2000s

After signed with Universal Music, Hacken released songs including "Feet of Fortune" (前後腳), "I Won't Sing" (我不會唱歌) and "The Grasp of Love" (愛不釋手) in 2001.

In late 2001, he performed in collaboration with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, "Hong Kong Philharmonic & Hacken Live", organised total in 4 concerts and 2 additional concerts. The concert series was very well-received, as was a recording released CD and VCD of the series, both CD and VCD got "Ten Best Selling Album Award" at IFPI. In July, he launched the album "Flying Flower (飛花)", with the song in same title, he won TVB Jade Solid Gold Awards's Golden Melody Award, "Metro Music Awards" Metro Best Song Award, and RTHK "Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award" Outstanding Pop Singer Award.

In early 2002, Hacken held his solo concert "Hacken Lee Live in Concert 2002" and got the praised again, and its recordings were equally well received at IFPI. In addition, he sang for TVB World Cup program's theme song "Victory"; the song "Tall Girl" was composed by Gigi Leung, lyrics by his own, and later on ""The Grasp of Love (愛不釋手) " were very popular. At "Jade Solid Gold Awards 2002", he won the "Most Popular Male Singer Award" at first time, and he had been re-confirmed as the successor of Alan Tam.[4] Around the time of the 2002 concert, he co-starred in the TVB drama "Legal Entanglement (法網伊人)" which was aired. The series achieved high ratings and was one of TVB's most popular dramas that year. He won the "Most Favourite Character" award at the "2002 TVB Anniversary Awards" for his role in the series. Additionally, he was appointed the host of the 2002 World Cup and sang the theme song of TVB, which dominated the local charts for some time.

In 2003, 2004 and 2009, he partnered with Alan Tam in a series of concert tours around the world, including multiple shows in Hong Kong and Las Vegas. Known in English as "Alan Tam & Hacken Lee Live Concert", the shows were known as "左麟右李", a play on the Chinese four-character idiom "左鄰右里" which means "neighbor", by using the artists' names homonyms 麟 and 李. By the end of 2003, Hacken won the "TVB Jade Solid Gold Award" again, this was the second time he got this award.

In November 2004, he partnered with Joey Yung in a collaboration of a concert, which is better known by another four-character idiom "刻不容緩 (Urgency cannot afford delay)", once again using their names homonyms 克 and 容. As the concerts perform continuously, causing his vocal strain and muscle sprains, that led his voice got problem, but he launched the song "Urgency cannot afford delay". He has been called one of the "New 4 Heavenly King" by Alan Tam. In the end of 2004, Hacken swept the awards in music award ceremonies again, including Top Ten Chinese Gold Song by RTHK's "Best Pop Male Artist Award", and his live album "Alan & Hacken 2004 Concert" got "10 Guangdong Album Sales Award" by IFPI, and he won the "Best Sales Local Singer" again.

In 2005, Hacken released his fourth mandarin album "Ask About Love", he started a series of promotion activities in mainland China. By the end of 2005, He was the first Chinese artist to release a DualDisc, entitled "Hacken Lee Concert Hall". For this album, Universal Music invested over a million dollars, invited 4 Chinese musician to perform the songs of album, moreover, they gave up the general recording mode, moved to the music hall for recording, the CD side using coherent approach to record the live recordings of the songs in surround sound, and the DVD side featured the making of footage. The album was out of stock twice after it launched in a week, the sales had breakthrough a platinum figure very soon. At December, he won the "Most Popular Singer" of TVB Jade Solid Gold Award again, this was his third times to won that succession. By the way, he won "My Favorite Singer" award and 5 song awards at "Metro Music Awards". At 1 January 2006, he won the bronze prize of the "My Favorite Singer", and talk about his 'Suit Theory' to explain the relationship between CRHK.

From 28 January 2006 to 5 February, Hacken held a series of sell-out concerts at Hong Kong Coliseum, named "Hacken Lee Live In Concert 2006", which is sponsored by Carlsberg) during the Chinese New Year period, and it was the first high-definition video in Cantonese concert. Meanwhile, he hosted the World Cup program for TVB, this was his third time being a football sportscaster, and wrote the lyrics and sung for the theme song, "I'm Number 10". In the middle of year, Hacken traveled to Seoul for recording the live songs of next album, "Hacken Lee Seoul Concert Hall II". All songs were recorded at the Harmony Theatre, Koyang Culture City Hall, Korea from 28 to 31 August 2006 for live taking. Many local Korean musicians participated in the recording project, including Kwak Jung "Harpist K" on harp, So Kyoung-Jin on Korean big drum, Jang Hyo-Seok on saxophone, Kim Won-Jin as boy soprano, Kim Hyun-Mi and Jung Hyun-Suk performed "Joy of Strings" on violin, Kim Hae-Ryeon on viola, and Chung Yu-Young on cello, David Hodges from New York played an antique 1920 bandoneon while recording. The album was released on a CD with an accompanying DVD using high-definition 1080i format, dated on November 2006, was following the success of the original Concert Hall, became the favorite of Hi-Fi enthusiasts, which sold over 80,000 copies.

In 2007, Hacken launched the selection album "Hacken Lee No. 1 Hits", it was released in 22 November 2007, which contains 4 CDs of his classic hits and new songs. He participated the concert held by Hong Kong Government, for celebrate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR organized. In the climax part of the activity, he was singing the song "Legend Of The Dragon" and "Red Sun" with 20 professional drummers and over 10,000 primary students from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. This performance had been included in the Guinness World Records. In between, his environmental-themed song was named "Whispering Whose", which the song won the "Song of The Year" on Jade Solid Gold award.

At 2008, Hacken hosted a series of Chinese New Year concert series, which sold out 11 shows in Hong Kong from 8 to 18 February 2008, because it was between the Valentine's Day, so he featured the new song "Every Day is a Valentine's Day". And followed by a world tour. After, he was begun to prepare his new canton album by inviting some singer-songwriters to participate in the creation, such as Mavis Fan, Eason Chan, Khalil Fong, Hins Cheung, Louis Cheung, Justin Lo, Vincent Chow and Jan Lamb. In order to make a best music, the album was used 9 months for production. He just sent two new songs to radio this year, "She merciful and I'm Sad" and "What Year Is Now". Those songs received radio's favor. He also lyricist for himself, the theme song of "Alan Tam & Hacken Lee Concert 2009", the song "Needless To Scared", and being the lyricist of the song composed by Eason Chan, named "Season Changed".

Hacken was a host for the Beijing Olympics broadcast in 2008, as well as the ambassador of Standard Chartered Marathon and ambassador of the East Asian Games 2009.[5]

2010 to present

On April 7, 2010, Hacken wrote a good news personally, announced that his wife Emily Lo had gave birth to their "Second Boss" (the nickname of Hacken called their second son), Rex Lee Lik-sze at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital smoothly. He also announced he will continue his concert tours and recording for his new canton album in May 2010. In middle of June, his new song "Sinner" was sent to radio. On 31 July, The song was adapted from the mandarin hit song "Bad Guy" of Abin Fong. It got three championship from 3 radio station, including RTHK, CRHK, and Metro. At 4 August, he held a Moov Live mini concert, performed the 7 songs of his upcoming new album. On 15 September, his new album Sinner was officially launched. Because of HKRIA Copyright Controversy, Hacken was prohibited to appear on TVB, Lawrence Cheng of Now TV, successfully arranged an interview with him, which was included in episode 79, broadcast on 2 October 2010.

In 2011, Hacken got award again at RTHK "Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards" again, made him be the unique singer that can receive song awards through four decades (1980s to 2010s). Then, he held the concert with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, in total of 6 days, named "Hacken & Hong Kong Sinfonietta Concert Hall 2011" in summer vocation. This was Hacken collaboration with Yip Wing-sie again, since "Hong Kong Philharmonic & Hacken Live" at 2001. In this concert, his state was good and he sang over 30 tracks every night, in addition of experiencing the zero defect listening, also had some pleasantly surprised programs. The concert was full of attendance and got the great acclaim. After the concert, he released a new mandarin with cantonese album "Deja Vu", which was his launched mandarin songs since 2005. The first plug song in cantonese was "Milky Way", was the "Three championship" held by RTHK, CRHK and Metro radio. The second plug song in cantonese was "Sky Lanterns", was boarded championship of the three radio stations on 29 October, got the "Three championship" again. At 10 December, Hacken appeared and sang for "Tung Wah Charity Show" on TVB, he was the first artist of HKRIA who can participate in TVB show after ice-breaking of HKRIA Copyright Controversy since 2010.

By January 2012, Hacken won the 7th out of 10 of the song award at the "Ultimate Song Chart Awards", for the song "Milky Way". He was invited to attend the Jade Solid Gold Awards Ceremony, as a performer and guests of honor.Then, he went to Beijing for the promotion of his new mandarin album, "'Deja Vu", and create something for his new canton album with two producer, Schumann and Alex Fung, which was his first cooperation with Schumann. At early of March, he was invited to sing the Hong Kong version of the theme song, "Armageddon Prairie", for the UEFA Champions League broadcast by Now TV, and he was chair as the host and the commentator of Now TV. In late August, he released the concept of adult rhymes of the new album, Amongst The Forest. Since he got a great acclaim from collaborating with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, he held his first solo concert tour in mainland China at September. In November, he hosted "Minute to Win It", a game show that authorized by NBC and production by TVB, and again hosted the TVB game show "Minutes to Fame" in 2005. The first episode of the show received a 30 points rating.

January 2013, He attended for "Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards" held by RTHK, and won the award for the song "What's The Things Alive For". In May, Hacken's new song "Forward", was invited the Hong Kong Children's Choir for vocal accompaniment, which was rare inspirational song in recent years at local music scene, and also the rare allegro song of him in recent years, and was sent to the radio. "Hacken Lee Concert Hall" series was separated by 7 years, Hacken launched a brand new HiFi album again at July, named "Remakes By Hacken". The album was fully produced by Schumann and Alex Fung again. After the album was released, it got the favor by the community of professional musicians, and praised by the fans. It occupied iTunes Top Songs list in the first week of release, even reached the success of double platinum album of sales. In October, he released the new canton EP, named "House of Cards", the song in same title had became the Annual Golden Song, on major radio awards ceremony were impressive results. At December, Hacken was held the concert with Alan Tam, to commemorate the 10th anniversary as being "左麟右李 (Neighbor)" , and they're offered the world tours.

By May 2014, Hacken issued a song "No Friend", which created by Eric Kwok and Wyman Wong, the song was sent to radio. The song was got widely radio and fans acclaim followed by "House of Cards". At June, he as the World Cup commentator for TVB, and launched his selection album "Selection To No Friends."

Music

Albums

Music Awards

Year Award Honored Work
1989 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award[6] Top 10 Gold Song: “Unchanged In Lifetime”
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: “Unchanged In Lifetime”
1990 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: “Sentimentally Attached”
1991 Jade Solid Gold Best Music Video Performance Award “Flower Guardian”
“Red Sun”, “Happy In Past Like A Dream”
1993 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: “Look Back”
1994 Jade Solid Gold Best Music Video Performance Award “Wish”
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Top 10 Outstanding Artist
1995 RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Top 10 Outstanding Artist
1999 Jade Solid Gold Best Composition Award “Sakura”
2001 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Songs Award: “Flying Flower”
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs[7] Top 10 Outstanding Artist
IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Hong Kong Philharmonic & Hacken Live
2002 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: “The Grasp of Love”
Most Popular Hong Kong Male Artist
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: “The Grasp of Love”
Top 10 Gold Song: “Tall Girl”
Top 10 Outstanding Artist
Highest Sales for Male Artists
IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Metro Broadcast & Hacken Lee Live
Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Hacken Lee Live in Concert 2002
Best Sales Local Male Vocalist
2003 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: "I Won't Sing"
Most Popular Hong Kong Male Artist
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: “Marriage Must Be Together In Long Time?”
Top 10 Gold Song: “Neighbors”
Highest Sales for Male Artist
IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Alan Tam & Hacken Lee Live Concert 2003
Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Custom Made
Best Sales Local Male Vocalist
2004 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: 空中飛人
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: 空中飛人
Outstanding Singer
Most Outstanding Male Singer
Highest Sales for Male Artist
Best Chinese Male Artist
IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Alan & Hacken 2004 Concert
Best Sales Local Male Vocalist
2005 Jade Solid Gold Award Top 10 Gold Song: The Love In Seoul
Best Duet Award (Gold): Urgency Cannot Afford Delay
Most Popular Chinese Song (Silver): Ask About Love
Most Popular Hong Kong Male Artist
Metro Radio Hits Top Songs Award[8] Top 10 Gold Song: The Love In Seoul
Top 10 Gold Song: Festival
Best Creative Album: Hacken Lee Concert Hall
Top Composer
Top Asia Male Singer
Most Admired Male Singer
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award Top 10 Gold Songs: The Love In Seoul
Best Chinese Male Artist
Highest Sales for Male Artists Award
IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: 2004 Music is Live - Hacken x Joey
2006 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Song: Besieged City of Tin Shui Wai
Metro Radio Hits[9] Top Songs Award: The Woman Before Marriage
Top Songs Award: Besieged City of Tin Shui Wai
Best Creative Album: “Hacken Lee Concert Hall” & “Hacken Lee Seoul Concert Hall II”
Best Advertisement Song: “I am the TEN”
Album of the Year: "Hacken Lee Seoul Concert Hall II"
Best Asia Singers Award
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award Top 10 Gold Songs: Besieged City of Tin Shui Wai
Highest Sales for Male Artist
IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award Ten Best Sales Local Artist
Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Hacken Lee Live In Concert 2006
Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Hacken Lee Concert Hall
Ten Best Sales Cantonese Releases: Hacken Lee Seoul Concert Hall II
Best Sales Local Male Vocalist
2007 Jade Solid Gold Song Gold Award Top 10 Gold Songs: Whispering Whose
Best Song of the Year: Whispering Whose
Four Stations Combined Best Song Award: Whispering Whose
Metro Radio Hits Best Song Award Top 10 Gold Songs: Whispering Whose
Creative Album Award: My Cup of Tea
Best Performance Award
Best Asia Singers Award
Song of the Year: Whispering Whose
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Top 10 Gold Songs Award: Whispering Whose
Outstanding Singer Award
IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award Ten Best Sales Local Artistes
2008 Jade Solid Gold Top Ten Songs Award Top 10 Gold Songs: She's Merciful And I'm Sad
Metro Radio Hits[10] Best Asia Singers Award
Top 10 Gold Songs: She's Merciful And I'm Sad
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Outstanding Singer Award
2009 Metro Radio Hits[11] Best Asia Singers Award
Metro Radio Hits Composer Songs: "Grandma"
2010 Metro Radio Hits Best Asia Singers Award
Adapted Song Award: "Sinner"
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs[12] Top 10 Gold Songs Award: "Sinner"
Outstanding Singer Award
2011 Metro Radio Hits Award[13] Original Song: "Sky Lanterns"
Best Asia Singers Award
2012 RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs[14] Outstanding Singer Award
Top 10 Gold Songs Award: "What's The Things Alive For”
2013 Metro Radio Hits World's Top Song[15] Top 10 Gold Songs: "House of Cards"
RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs[16] Outstanding Singer Award
Top 10 Gold Songs Award: "House of Cards"
Chik Chak Ultimate Song Chart Awards[17] Top Ten Songs Award: "House of Cards"

Acting career

Aside from his singing ability, Hacken is also an outstanding actor and one of the most welcomed singer-turned-actor in Hong Kong. He has appeared in numerous Hong Kong dramas, movies, and commercial advertisements and has also frequented many large-scale charity drives as a guest performer. One of his notable roles as an actor was his role in Legal Entanglement, which won him "Most Favorite Character" award at the 2002 TVB Anniversary Awards.[18] [19]

Drama

Programme Host

Film

Relationship and Family

On November 28, 2006, Hacken married his long-time girlfriend, Emily Lo Suk Yi, who was the champion of Miss Hong Kong in 1992.

On October 22, 2007, Emily gave birth to their first child, Ryan Lee. Their younger son Rex Lee was born on March 27, 2010.

Gallery

References

External links