Yen may not look like your typical soul singer. Then again, souls are on the inside-- and so is Yen’s powerful Voice. "Man this guy can really sing," said Man at Large, a DJ on Detroit’s 93.1 radio station the first time he heard Yen sing. Yen has been amazing crowds every where his voice resounds. Now, with the recent release of his first solo debut album "Introducing The Sound of AsiansoulRnB," Yen has been electrifying the internet with his unique blend of soulful melodies and urban beats interlaced with traces of Asian instruments. He doesn’t just sing love ballads. He tackles race and religion, and the album is a personal reflection of his life experiences.
Born in Vietnam but raised in Parchment, Michigan, Yen (pronounced Ian) was the youngest of ten children. His parents fled Vietnam due to the war and his father worked in a paper mill to support the family. "I am grateful to my father and mother for sacrificing so much," he says, "so all of their children can have a better life." Like other Asian families, his parents wanted him to get a good education and find a job as an engineer or doctor. Yen, however, found his life’s passion in the local music beat- Motown.
Inspired by such artists as Stevie Wonder, James Ingram, Take 6, and other legends, Yen honed his soul singing in the Kalamazoo Mass Choir as a teenager. His commanding stage presence and incredible vocal range quickly turned him into a fan favorite and he was soon opening for national acts such as John P. Kee, The Chicago Mass Choir, The Williams Brothers, and 98 Degrees.
Some of Yen’s accomplishments include being featured on Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta (2007) and the Atlanta Journal Constitution(2006), selected Vietnamese Star Search Winner (2004), Michigan’s "Next Rising Star" on ABC’s Good Morning America (2002), prize winner of WDIV’s "Say What Sing Along Contest" (2001) and being a cast member of the nationally acclaimed Detroit musical "Perilous Times." This musical featured star acts such as gospel greats Vanessa Bell Armstrong and William Murphy III, Tommie Ford of the "Martin Lawrence Show", and Tiny Lister "Debo" of Friday and Next Friday.
Since relocating to Atlanta in 2003, Yen has performed at various Gospel Festivals, City of Decatur Concerts on the square, The Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival, the Apache Cafe, The Rialto Center, Cafe’ Tu Tu Tango, and more.
His father, a politcal refugee, would shock other mill workers in "The Paper City" by lifting bails as large as he. Yen gets the same looks. Only he lifts his lyrics. His first single, "My Calling," is a tribute to his father.
The album "Introducing The Sound of AsiansoulRnB" is currently available at iTunes, CD Freedom, Nimbit, Rhapsody, E-music, and local CD stores. Yen’s album will be coming soon to Napster, and ringtones will be available at Groove Mobile in the near future!
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