Former stars become new warriors.

Singer Mars Anh Tú said he "wanted to be completely new for this comeback." Mars Anh Tú is the new stage name of the once-famous singer Tú Dưa.

Musician Vu Quoc Viet makes a comeback with a new stage name and a revamped musical image and style. (Photo: NGUYEN THANH HUY)

Ready to try again

The change of stage name from Tú Dưa to Mars Anh Tú is seen as a "re-debut" for the former member of the band Quả Dưa Hấu (for many years, Anh Tú was associated with the stage name Tú Dưa in the band Quả Dưa Hấu alongside Bằng Kiều, Tuấn Hưng, and Tường Văn). This time, Mars Anh Tú will change his style, musical direction, and operational plan for 2023.

Mars Anh Tú collaborated with a stylist to present to the audience the image of a seasoned gentleman with long, romantic hair, elegant yet with a touch of "ruggedness." Mars Anh Tú acknowledges that the younger generation of artists is developing rapidly, even having the potential to overshadow artists of the previous generation. Therefore, he also has a certain flexibility to assert himself. "I want to use the stage name Mars Anh Tú so that the audience sees me as a newcomer, but for me, it's a new chapter," he said.

This is also why singer Phuong Thanh chose the stage name Nguyen Huong and always asserts that "she is now a young singer".

Many people, upon hearing the name VUVU, immediately ask, "Is he a newcomer?". However, upon learning that VUVU is the new stage name of musician Vu Quoc Viet, many find it hard to believe. After all, why would someone who has already established a certain position in the Vietnamese music market like Vu Quoc Viet become a "completely new" figure?

With his distinctive husky voice, singer-songwriter VUVU's new songs (most recently "Please Don't Go") have impressed audiences. Songwriter Vu Quoc Viet stated that his return under a new stage name and with new compositions will reflect the spirit of integrating Vietnamese music with the international music market. "As a singer-songwriter, I always hope that Vietnamese people, Vietnamese culture, and especially Vietnamese music, will create brilliant marks globally. My heart is always filled with passion and enthusiasm for music, so I'm not afraid to challenge myself to embody or experience new images and styles," Vu Quoc Viet expressed.

Composer Vu Quoc Viet said: "VUVU is a necessary stage name for a singer and performer like me. Actually, this name came about in 2017, but only now has it had the opportunity to appear and reach the public." Composer Vu Quoc Viet is the "father" of many famous songs such as: "Ru lai cau ho", "Thuong lam minh oi", "Ba Nam", "Em dep nhat dem nay", "Con do chut hong phai", "Hay hat len", "Trai tim tinh si"… Besides composing, he also sings and is loved by audiences for his romantic songs.

Singer Hoài Lâm has a new stage name: Yun Tulo. (Photo provided by the artist)

Personal stories

According to insiders, starting a new path has its ups and downs. The most important thing is to dare to do it. You yourself must see something new and appealing in order to attract an audience.

Furthermore, changing one's stage name also carries its own story. "Rap Viet" winner De Choat decided to become rapper DC because: "DC represents something new, a mission that De Choat hasn't yet accomplished. De Choat will direct his own life, being himself on the path he has chosen."

Although famous under the name K-ICM, after a period of absence, K-ICM is now simply Khánh, his birth name - Nguyễn Bảo Khánh. Regarding the reason for changing his stage name, Khánh said that K-ICM was associated with his old management company, which caused some inconvenience during his independent activities. Besides, fans have long called him by his real name - Bảo Khánh, so he decided to use the stage name Khánh as a way of showing gratitude to his fans. Furthermore, according to him, Khánh also signifies the male artist's desire to always be himself on his musical journey from now on.

The winner of the first season of "The Voice Vietnam," Huong Tram, is now Charmy Pham. Hoai Lam is perhaps the artist who changes his stage name the most in Vietnamese showbiz. The singer's real name is Nguyen Tan Loc. When he entered the arts, his adoptive father, comedian Hoai Linh, gave him the stage name Hoai Lam. When pursuing rap music, Hoai Lam decided to change his stage name to Young Luuli. Most recently, Hoai Lam changed his stage name again to Yun Tulo. According to the singer's explanation, it's an abbreviation of "Yun (Hoai Lam) takes care of himself."

Explaining the change of his stage name to Soobin, Soobin Hoang Son said: "I want to have a new milestone and a breakthrough in my artistic journey."

Similarly, when he was still active in the group 365, Nguyen Cao Son Thach used the stage name ST; now he is ST Son Thach because "changing my name is a way to turn a new page so that people can temporarily forget that I was a member of the group 365. That was my youth, a beautiful memory, but I want to stand on my own two feet. Son Thach is also easier to pronounce, easier to recognize, and although it's risky, I hope the audience will soon accept it."

Speaking about why veterans are not afraid to become newcomers to participate in the harsh competition of Vietnamese showbiz, singer Phuong Thanh said: "Becoming a newcomer with a new stage name and a new musical path is a way for me to 'revive' my artistic career. Actually, everyone's feelings are very different at different stages. The current me is younger and different from before, and I will pursue my artistic career with this fresh new spirit."

Composer Nguyen Hai Phong views a singer's popularity as similar to brand recognition. A singer needs to possess unique, distinctive characteristics and a distinctive style to easily leave a lasting impression on the public.

(To be continued)

^(*) See Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper , issue dated September 14th.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/van-nghe/dien-mao-moi-cua-nhac-viet-nhung-cuu-sao-tro-thanh-tan-chien-binh-20230914214808458.htm