Baiyu is a Chinese singer songwriter currently living in New York. After graduating from Princeton University, she appeared on the TV show “Next” where she was chosen as one of the top 4 talents on the verge of stardom. During this show she was mentored by rapper Nelly.

Although a lot of Asian Americans dream to be singers, very few of them end up going through with their dreams. Baiyu is one of the rare singers who’s not only pursuing her dream, but actually getting real recognition. 

If you’re interested in becoming a singer yourself, this is an enlightening interview.

When did you first start singing?

My first interactions with music and with singing were very much like how I envision people remembering, or not remembering being born. My parents are both musicians and so I grew up listening to the sound of my dad’s flute, and the melody of my mom’s voice. All of it feels very intuitive and almost instinctual to me. My parents still keep pictures of me from when I put on little performances back in pre-school. I would say I’ve been singing for as long as I’ve been able to open my mouth and make noise.

When did you realize you wanted to make it your profession?

I think I always knew that I wanted to make it my profession, but being a single child of traditional Asian parents, it was never the most practical or popular idea at home. Part of the reason why I went to Princeton was because I wanted to prove to my parents that I can be and am the daughter that they’ve always wanted me to be. I needed to show my parents that I’m still rooted in traditional values, and very much prized education and intellect, but at the same time had enough of a passion outside of the norm to take it to the next level with something that isn’t necessarily all that traditional.

I guess you can say that the actual moment itself happened Junior year of high school when I joined an Asian R&B singing group in Brooklyn. I tried to act so tough back then, because I wanted people to see how determined I was to be successful as a singer. Looking back, I’m glad I made that move and I now I can say that I have no regrets.

So you have a degree from Princeton, how do your parents feel about you not really utilizing that degree?

I actually am utilizing that degree. Sometimes I feel like Hannah Montana because I’m actually the Digital Director of a media agency here in New York City. Most people who know me as “Baiyu” the singer don’t know that side of me, but it’s very much present and real. Again, as much as I’m a bit out there, I have very traditional values and consider myself a strong woman. I need to make my own money so I can pave my own way and prove to not only my parents, but myself and my friends as well as fans that you can do everything that you set your mind and heart to. It’s very important to me to be a positive role model in that sense. 

How do you balance your singing with your digital media agency job?

You’ll actually be one of the first people I’ve ever spoken to about the 2 careers working in conjunction with each other. I actually got interested in digital media because I saw where music marketing was going, as well as social media taking off, and I knew I had to learn as much as I could about the digital space. Since the day job is a 9 to 5, the singer is my 5 to 9 and most weekends.

I try not to mix oil with water in a pure business sense, but very much apply my day to day insights from digital advertising and relay that back to my music career. It’s a bit overwhelming at times but it keeps me on my toes.

How did you get your initial recognition as a singer?

My fan base and level of recognition has been a steady build. I didn’t make a crazy video that got 10,000,000 views in a day but I have been consistently putting in the work and focusing on the content that I do release. Music always pulls me in and pushes me forward no matter where I am in life in whatever circumstance, and so I’ve always shown it the care that it’s given me.
I’m a singer, but I guess you can also say I’m a hustler baby!

You’ve been on television for the show, “The Next,” can you tell us about that experience and how you were chosen for the show?

Doing “The Next” was an extremely surreal experience. The show, which was executive produced by Queen Latifah, chose me as one of the top 4 rising artists of New York City and as someone who was already on the verge. The whole premise is to highlight artists that are just about to break through who the producers feel like may would be perfect if paired with a mentor.

My “big brother” if you will ended up being Nelly which was quite phenomenal as I’ve been a fan of his for many many years. Even my mom knows his songs… which is weird and not weird at the same time.

Having VJ’ed for MTVu for such a long time and done some independent films, I wasn’t all that shy to the cameras, but with this show, I knew it was on a much grander scale. I had a blast doing it!

How do you get a competitive edge in the music industry?

My motto is: persistence wins. Obviously the talent needs to be there, but it’s people like me who don’t give a crap what others think about their art and tend to have thicker skin and more stubborn personalities that ultimately gives me the competitive edge.

I watch, I listen, I observe and I learn – yet all at the same time I put my own fresh twist to everything that I do. My eyes and ears are always peeled for the next big opportunity, and I’m also a huge networker, but the core of my creative experience is rooted in making good songs and being truthful and genuine with regards the things that I sing about.

What are the toughest challenges you’ve had to face as a singer?

One of the toughest things I’ve at to learn as a singer and artist is to listen to my own gut. When I first came to the States, I feel in love with 90’s R&B music. I remember cracking open my Mariah Carey CD every day after school and listening to her Daydream album from beginning to end. Then I started sandwiching that between some Boyz II Men and Mary J Blige and my life felt complete.

All kidding aside, these artists really sparked something in me that I haven’t been able to shake because I knew that the soul that lives within their music was what I craved. I’ve been told by people to do this song or that song, to sing pop, to dress every which way, to collaborate with x, y or z just for the popularity of it all. It took some navigating and some maturity to push all of that aside and pay attention to who I really am as a singer and what my unique sound and voice is.

What tips would you give to aspiring singers?

I would tell an aspiring singer to have no fear and to just take that first step. It took me a long time of singing other people’s songs to feel comfortable putting my own twist on things. I wrote a lot of wack tunes before I finally felt like I could call myself a songwriter.
I wasn’t always good and I can always be better but that has never stopped me from moving forward and it shouldn’t stop you.
Give it everything that you have and put your heart and soul into your music. If you love it enough, you’ll find yourself in it.
How would a singer who has no connections and no idea how to make it as a professional take the first step?
The digital space is the perfect place to showcase your music and your creativity, and not to mention it’s also a great arena to start building your fan base.

Start a YouTube page and post not only covers but original songs on there. Post them on Twitter and reach out to other YouTubers or musicians in general who are also aspiring musicians and work together.

No one says that you have to do this whole thing alone. There’s a lot of people out there who are also on the same path, and once you get to a certain level with your craft – people will automatically begin to take notice.

You’re inspiring Baiyu. I think you’ll help out a lot of other Asian American artists.

I hope so. I actually spoke at Yale recently to a room of Asian American students who were all looking to go into “unconventional fields.” A few athletes, a few writers, a few musicians.

I’m surprised how much of a bond and common experience we all share in terms of the immigrant experience and family pressures. I hope that I can set an example even if it’s in a small way.

See Baiyu online at her website, Twitter, and Youtube.

Written by Editorial Staff