From getting a shout out from Nicki Minaj to how he got his start in the entertainment industry, here's six things to know about Taiwanese hip-hop artist Yi Fan Chen, aka Øzi
Taiwanese singer, songwriter and director Øzi, real name Yi Fan Chen, is helping to put Chinese-language music on the map, particularly Mandarin rap and R&B. “People listen to K-pop or American hip-hop—me being on this side of the world [in Taiwan], being raised in Taipei, there's a lot to offer. But people have to hear it,” he told Flaunt magazine.
The rising star released his latest album, Pedestal, this year and is known for his unique sound, which he says reflects his Asian-American upbringing. Born in Los Angeles and growing up in Taipei, Øzi’s music is a blend of both Mandarin and English and R&B and rap.
Here are six things you need to know about Øzi.
1. He grew up in a musical family
His dad was an in-demand fashion photographer in Taiwan and his mum is a singer-songwriter. He told Pop Crave that he spent a big part of his childhood in his dad’s photography studio and backstage at his mum’s concerts—oftentimes quizzing sound engineers and producers on how to create music. “I learned a lot just by watching them work, and I guess eventually, their passion became a part of me,” he told Pop Crave.
2. He’s making a name for himself in the world of fashion
Aside from a fast-growing career in music, Øzi is also making waves as a model for high-fashion brands like Chanel and Fendi. For Øzi, having a unique fashion sense and a music career go hand-in-hand. He told Taiwan Beats he credits his uniqueness to his fiery red hair.