Decoding the success of singer Toc Tien

Transformation in music and image

Singer Toc Tien

Born into a well-off family, both parents were intellectuals, Toc Tien herself had high expectations for her academic career.

Having passed 3 universities, she chose Traditional Medicine at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. She went to the US to study at Pasadena City College, California, majoring in Biology with a training program expected to last 9 years.

Tien started singing at a very young age. From a young age, she joined the Ho Chi Minh City Children's Choir, a place that searches for and nurtures musical talents for children and teenagers. At the age of 13, she sang across Vietnam with the The Hien Music Group.

When it comes to music, Toc Tien is not a prominent voice in the direction of a vocalist (singers with skillful vocal techniques). She does not possess a strange, distinctive voice that is easily recognizable or a powerful voice that shows off complex techniques like many other female singers.

But it must be admitted that Toc Tien is superior to others in having a flexible, diverse voice that can easily change according to each genre and style of music she performs. A smart, modern voice with effort and improvement despite not having many innate advantages.

At 17, Tien had a mezzo-soprano voice, singing well in the middle and low range, with a slightly dark timbre. During her time studying abroad in the US, Toc Tien's voice on overseas stages was somewhat brighter, but still maintained the warmth, with a slight dark tint, characteristic of a mixed metal voice.

But when returning to Vietnam, collaborating with Hoang Tourliver, Toc Tien possesses a clear, lyrical soprano voice, transformed in music as well as image, more feminine, sexier and sweeter.

This is in line with Hoang Tourliver's musical inclination, which is inclined towards EDM, Dance, Trap, Dubstep, with new, modern, youthful melodies and harmonies, targeting teenage audiences in Vietnam.

It has helped her succeed in leading music trends, reaching young audiences and becoming a widely loved idol.

However, for some unknown reason, since returning to Vietnam, Toc Tien's low voice is no longer good, it is faint and often out of tune, unsteady, and lacking control.

Handshake with "wizard" Hoang Tourliver

Images in Toc Tien's MV 906090

If you follow Toc Tien's career path, you can see that she is a very dedicated artist who always tries, makes efforts, and perseveres on the path she has chosen.

Her family did not support her in pursuing singing and throughout her school years, she had to struggle to maintain her position as an excellent student and still be able to sing.

Toc Tien is probably the most persistent contestant at Sao Mai because she registered for many consecutive years, and even though she was eliminated, she did not lose heart. She was even disowned by her biological mother because she was determined to pursue an artistic career.

However, after returning to Vietnam from the US, Toc Tien's musical path became clearer. Her music and sideline activities revolve around feminism and fighting domestic violence.

With the MV "I'm in Love" (2017) to "Cong" (2022), Toc Tien's musical story becomes clearer and deeper in the MVs "Cong", "Mot loc toc mai", 906090 when talking about feminism.

It is a re-enactment of the "grandparents'" ideas about women from the perspective of a modern and individual woman: Concepts or standards about women's personality and body such as "wasp waist", "jackfruit leaf ears, cage-shaped butt", "fresh fish looks at its gills/Smart people look at their sideburns" and "women with wide mouths, deaf to neighbors".

Not only successful in building concepts and personal images in music, Toc Tien herself also tries hard to practice her voice to become suitable for the GenY and GenZ generations.

With the effective support of Hoang Tourliver - a "wizard" in harmony, arrangement, and music making, Tien did not settle for the Pop and lyrical music genres she used to sing, but constantly transformed and experimented with new music to keep up with the times and reach young people such as: Trap, EDM, R&B...

This transformation took place comprehensively in her voice, singing style, performance style and image building. She also invested in practicing choreography to become a versatile artist on stage.

As a talented sound engineer, known as a "magician" in music, Hoang Tourliver must have had many directions for Toc Tien to help her approach European and American music, catch up with the times, expressed through famous hits such as: "Who loves you like me", "1 piece of hair", "Tomorrow"...

Or the presence of Hua Kim Tuyen, Bui Cong Nam, Trang, Kai Dinh helps her musical color become more and more diverse, youthful and modern, expressed through some songs such as: "From habits", "If you are me"...

The female singer is not only involved in the music industry, she even takes on many different roles in game shows, music shows with MC Tran Thanh with an A-class salary, or becomes the representative face of 40 domestic and foreign brands during her 16 years of singing.

The fact that brands come to her is certainly not a coincidence, because Tien has 4 personal principles: First, she must protect her reputation, protect her influence as well as the trust of brands and customers.

Second, professionalism. Third, knowing how to be selective, knowing how to say no to brands that are no longer suitable. Fourth, always knowing how to upgrade yourself, creating better quality music products.

Model Ngoc Trinh herself also praised Toc Tien: "The most obedient and "cleanest" person is probably Toc Tien."

Marketing expert Phan Duc Hoa commented: “Toc Tien has a bright face, full of youthful energy, a humble attitude and friendly behavior.

Her music is civilized, the stories Tien tells through music are humane. Up to now, Toc Tien still maintains the heat of an A-list star, a face that many brands want to entrust to.

Singer Toc Tien's real name is Nguyen Khoa Toc Tien, born in 1989 in Ho Chi Minh City. She started her singing career when she was a teenager.

In 2013, Toc Tien changed her image with a charming, individual short haircut. In 2015, she returned to Vietnam to participate in “The Remix”, marking a new milestone in her career.

After her successful comeback, she decided to return to Vietnam and work as a freelance singer. She also received many award nominations, including: 1 Dedication Award, 1 Green Wave Award, 1 Zing Music Award and 1 Yan Vpop 20 Awards. In 2017, she represented Vietnam at MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards) and won the Best Asian Artist award.

She is also the youngest coach in the 2 seasons of The Voice Vietnam 2017 and 2018. Currently, she is one of the singers with the largest fan base in Vietnam alongside famous singers such as: Son Tung M-TP, Bich Phuong, Soobin Hoang Son, My Tam...

In 2022, Toc Tien made waves with the album "Cong" including 8 songs: Intro Cong, Mot clong toc mai, 906090, Like this like that (ft. tlinh), Kha khen, Bong bonh, Nu anh la em; Am I clear (ft. Trong Hieu) with the combination of famous names such as Touliver, Mew Amazing, Hua Kim Tuyen, Tlinh...