[2021.01.25] THE MUSIC MUST GO ON FOR THE HONG KONG RECORD INDUSTRY

Vincy Chan
courtesy of on.cc

The record industry under the pandemic faced difficult obstacles. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (Hong Kong Group) as the Hong Kong record industry's leading organization is determined to guide the Hong Kong record industry out of the crisis and released "The Music Must Go On" plan, which would give some classic songs from records that reached platinum or gold record status in the past 40 years all new arrangement and drastically different styles. 55 record companies and music labels will participate in the plan, with 113 classic songs, 98 participating singers and bands, and create over 800 outsourced positions for the industry.

This plan has the sponsorship of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's "CreateHong Kong", the assistance and support from the Hong Kong Record Industry Association and the Music Publishers Association of Hong Kong, and the enthusiastic participation from the industry. IFPI chief Fung Tim Chi said, "Under the pandemic, all performers and creative teams are forced to stop. When as many as 70% of professionals in the industry are freelance workers, the job stoppage has affected them deeply. As the industry organization, the International Federation of Phonographic Industry (Hong Kong Group) planned 'The Music Must Go On' plan. With strong support and sponsorship from 'Create Hong Kong', the Hong Kong record industry in the short term would release a series of songs to provide jobs for professionals while entertaining music fans. The plan brings together singers and creative teams to study how to remake hits. They will bring pleasant surprises to music fans."

Famous record producer Cheung Kai Tim said, "The plan is very meaningful, it has several hundred classic Chinese songs for us to choose from to package anew and remake to turn into new 2020 versions. They benefit many friends in the music industry, like record companies, singers and musicians."

Under the Music Must Go On 2020 plan, the newly arranged classic songs included Zarahn's performance of George Lam Chi Cheung's DISCO BUMPKINS; Chris Babida's performance of Beyond's WIDE SEA OPEN SKY; Alfred Hui Ting Tung's performance of George Lam Chi Cheung's CHASING MEMORIEs; Janice Vidal (Wai Lan)'s performance of Danny Chan Pak Keung's RIPPLE; ROWENA CORTEZ's performance of Chan Pak Keung's My STORY; Linda Wong Hing Ping's performance of Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing's BLAME YOUR EXCESSIVE BEAUTY and Faye Wong's THAT HELPLESS DAY; Dear Jane's performance of Aaron Kwok Fu Sing's CALL OF LOVE; Candy Lo Hau Yam's performance of Eason Chan Yik Shun's SLOW DANCE IN THE DARK; Vincy Chan (Wing Yi)'s performance of Stefanie Sun Yanzi's DARK SKY; Terence Lam Ka Him's performance of Tanya Chua's PARABOLA; Susan Wong Chui Shan's performance of Anita Mui Yim Fong's HELL FLOWER and Sugar Club's performance of David Tao's LOVE ME OR HIM and Jacky Cheung Hok Yau's HOW TO LET YOU GO.

One of the participating singers Wing Yi would perform Stefanzie Sun Yanzi's DARK SKY anew. She said, "This plan gives me the chance to use my own style to interpret songs I like, as well as giving songs of a different eras a new change of clothes and continue to go on."