Singapore’s R&B music scene has emerged as a vibrant and diverse community, blending elements of Soul, Hip-hop, and Contemporary Pop to create a unique musical identity. Over the years, the scene has grown in popularity, drawing both local and international recognition for its talented artists. 

Sherman Zhuo, a rising Mandopop artist from the above-mentioned country, has been making a name for himself with a mix of Pop and R&B sounds. From being a semi-finalist in Mediacorp’s S-POP Sing 2018 competition to becoming the opening act at the prestigious One Love Asia Festival 2022, Sherman has proven himself as a capable musician. Along the way, he has collaborated with well-known producers, such as Gen Neo, which has shaped his music style over the years. With a focus on connecting with his fans, Sherman aims to create special moments through his aristery. 

With the recent release of his latest song, but hey, we had the opportunity to discuss the inspiration behind the track and explore its personal significance to Sherman. During our interview, we uncovered the essence of Sherman Zhuo’s music, his aspirations for the future, and the role of Mandopop music in Singapore’s dynamic and diverse R&B scene.

Before discussing your music, I just want to say congratulations on releasing your new song, but hey! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you personally?

Sherman Zhuo: This song was written two years ago, and I got inspired by a situation where I was obliged to do something just because someone told me, “But hey, no obligations”. At least on my end, I interpreted it as something I better do, if not, then I’ll be in trouble [laughs]. But the main story behind the song is literally the lyric, “Don’t let somebody define what you can do”, I wanna spread the message of confidence in oneself; it is liberating!

You gained recognition as a semi-finalist in Mediacorp’s “S-POP Sing 2018” competition. How did that experience shape your music career and pave the way for the opportunities that followed?

SZ: I think S-POP opened up my eyes to the Mandopop industry, especially in Singapore. I met a lot of veterans through the competition and received quite a lot of insights about the industry. I think that was the period where I decided that I wanted to be doing music for life (even if it becomes a side hustle). And of course, through these connections, it has opened up more opportunities for my music career!

As the winner of “Stärker Music Jams 2019″ and the opening act at the prestigious “One Love Asia Festival 2022”, can you share some of the most memorable moments from those performances? How did they contribute to your growth as an artist?

SZ: Stärker Music Jams was probably the first time I’ve performed for a festival-like event, and it was a great experience as I was still learning and growing as a live performer. One Love Asia Festival 2022 was one for the books, probably the biggest stage I’ve been on so far, and there was definitely a lot of pressure performing to such a large crowd but a lot of enjoyment as well! It’s so important to be grateful for every single opportunity on the stage; they are stepping stones for the next one. All these experiences I’ve had have definitely contributed to my current style on stage! The main thing on stage is to just have fun.

Your dedication to honing your craft is evident in your commitment to refining your songwriting and production skills. How do you approach the creative process when writing and producing your music? Is there a specific routine or approach you follow?

SZ: For me, my creative process is heavily influenced by my inspiration. There are periods where I’m constantly inspired to write new songs and periods where I struggle to write anything, but collaborative writing is something that I’ll always go to whenever I’m struggling because bouncing off ideas with someone else will spark something new in the creative process! My “specific routine” is to explore new and different things in life – all the experiences that I’ve gotten will somewhat contribute to my creative process!

Collaborating with Mandopop producer Gen Neo must have been an exciting opportunity. How did this collaboration influence your music style, and what did you learn from working with such an esteemed producer?

SZ: I was still exploring my music style back then when I worked with Gen. All I knew was that I love his style and sound, and 不习惯 will definitely turn out well in his hands! No doubt, after working with him, I realised that I love the R&B genre, and incorporating this genre into Mandopop felt so refreshing. 

Your second single, 不习惯, showcases a synth-driven Pop-R&B sound. Can you tell us about the creative choices behind this song and how it represents your evolution as an artist?

SZ: 不习惯 is my first R&B song. It is special to me because writing a song like that was so new to me, and even exploring a rap for the bridge was something I’d never thought of doing on my own. The main point was that after the song was completed, it felt right, and as a songwriter that kind of satisfaction is unexplainable, you’ve gotta feel it to know it. This experience has also paved the way for songs like WHAT YOU TRYNA DO and but hey where more R&B/Hip-hop elements are incorporated.

What can your fans expect from your upcoming singles and potential EP? Are there any themes or musical directions you’re particularly excited to explore in your future releases?

SZ: I’m exploring topics in life that are relatable to every single one of us. Love is definitely a must, but there are themes like mental health, and being confident and bold to take a leap of faith. And those are the themes I explored when I wrote but hey – I want to keep my music as authentic as possible, kinda like an audio art piece that represents myself. 

How do you navigate the music industry’s challenges and stay true to your authentic self? Are there any values or principles that guide you in maintaining your artistic integrity?

SZ: I think it can be challenging sometimes to stick to your artistic integrity. For example, Pop music is something that is heavily consumed by the general audience, but the question is: what if I want to reach out to the general audience with a genre that isn’t Pop? It is definitely challenging because, to a certain extent, I’d have to compromise my musicality to “suit” the general audience. For myself, I see it as a challenge, and I’ll find ways to connect to my audience even though certain songs I put out may not be Pop. I’m sure with tenacity and the right kind of marketing, it isn’t as hard as we think!

How do you connect with your fans and maintain a strong relationship with them? Are there any particular platforms or strategies you use to engage with your audience?

SZ: At my current stage, my focus is on the creation process. Putting out as much content and original music as possible is creating the opportunity for more people to know me and my music. TikTok has changed the game for me. Ever since I started being consistent on TikTok, the results have been extremely encouraging, and that pushes me even harder to create more content!

Apart from music, are there any other creative outlets or hobbies that inspire you and fuel your creativity?

SZ: I love watching shows, especially thrillers or the ones that will make you crack your head. Black Mirror is definitely on top of the list, but of course, too much of that can be exhausting, and inspiring movies are something I enjoy watching too!

What are your long-term goals and aspirations as a Mandopop artist? Is there a particular milestone or achievement you’re striving for in your career?

SZ: I want to create another wave of the Mandopop craze! Back in the 2000s, it was sort of the peak of the Mandopop music scene, and I hope to bring that back with a new vibe and sound for the younger generation!

How do you see the role of Mandopop music in bridging cultural gaps and reaching a global audience? Do you have any aspirations to expand your reach beyond Singapore and connect with international fans?

SZ: I think Mandarin is a beautiful language. With just a few words, one can express so much. It is definitely on my bucket list to reach beyond Singapore and connect with international fans! With the current K-POP wave, it is evident that it’s possible for Mandopop to achieve that kind of success!

What do you enjoy most about being a musician and sharing your music with others? Is there a particular impact or emotion you hope to evoke in your listeners?

SZ: When my music is able to impact someone, I feel like my job is done. My recent release, Hard to Let You Go, received really good responses, and I’ve been receiving messages from people sharing with me how my song has touched them, causing them to experience their own realisation in whatever situation they’re in. It feels really good to know that someone can connect to this original work that you’ve put out.

Lastly, is there a message or mantra that you live by, both in your music career and personal life?

SZ: As cliché as it sounds, “Live with no regrets”. The pursuit of happiness starts with doing what makes you happy!

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}