Huang Qishan

Huang Qishan (Chinese: 黄绮珊; born March 23, 1968) is a Chinese recording artist and musician. She is also known as Susan Huang and Huang Ma (Mother Huang). She is called by some to be the "no. 1 Female Voice in Asia."^[1] Huang Qishan, despite her rare vocal talent and twenty-seven year experiences in the music industry, did not achieve much success in her home country of China until appearing on the show I Am A Singer in early 2013. Huang Qishan's performance caused an Internet sensation that led to her almost-overnight popularity.

Life and Musical Career

Huang Qishan debuted in 1986. Throughout her career, she has released seven albums, despite not gaining a large fan base in China. In 1996, she divorced her husband, a Taiwanese singer and songwriter.

Huang Qishan sang the 2004 Olympic theme "Pride" (Chinese:骄傲).^[2]

Despite being unknown to most of China's population, music insiders highly valued her due to her singing abilities. Because of her insider connections, the producer of China's version of the Korean reality singing competition I Am A Singer, asked her to join the show, leading to her long-awaited fame in China.

Musical Style

Huang Qishan has performed a variety of musical styles including pop, jazz, soul, r & b, and classical crossovers. Some of Huang Qishan's favorite artists include: Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, etc. Due to her extreme vocal versatility and almost four-octave range, Huang Qishan has covered songs from many of the world's most-renown vocalists including: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion.

Huang Qishan is a devout Christian and undertook theology studies in 2012. She has recorded some gospel music.^[3]

Vocal Abilities and Critical Reception

Huang Qishan's astounding vocal abilities have earned her fame throughout China. Huang Qishan is a dramatic soprano, exhibiting a range of C3 to F#6, but claims to have sung up to G#6 in full and connected voice (in an interview discussing the creative process of the recording of the song "Wine-Like Memory" (Chinese:酒般的记忆), a producer working with Huang noted his surprise at her ability to sustain the G#6 in a pharyngeal tone ("open throat").;^[4][5] Huang is noted for her powerful upper register and her ability to reach as high as a C#6 or D6 with mixed voices.^[6]

Huang Qishan is noted by Chinese vocal experts to be a technically proficient singer, with some hailing her as "Asia's most perfect voice" and calling her technical proficiency "unparalleled."

Many cite her song "Only You" (Chinese: 只有你) to demonstrate her technical mastery and her ability to shift seamlessly through various vocal techniques. One of China's premier vocal coaches claimed to never have heard anyone in Asia sing in this way.

Awards

On October 7, 2013, Huang Qishan was awarded the title "Best Chinese Singer" at the tenth annual Huading Awards.^[7]

References