Pioneering singer-songwriter Khalil Fong dies aged 41 after ‘relentless illness’
Khali Fong was hailed for his sophisticated RnB and soul music.
Khalil Fong, a pioneering Hong Kong-based RnB singer, has died aged 41.
A post on the star’s record label’s Facebook page confirmed Fong had died on February 21 after suffering from a ‘relentless illness for five years’.
The label said: ‘The music and graphic novels he gifted to the world remain an eternal testament to his luminous spirit, a timeless treasure for generations to come.’
Fong released his debut studio album Soulboy in 2005 to huge acclaim and became celebrated for introducing sophisticated Mandarin-speaking RnB and soul music to the Chinese market after being inspired by the likes of Sam Cooke and Stevie Wonder.
He released a further nine studio albums but stepped back from his music career in 2016 after health concerns.
In 2010, he was hospitalised numerous times due to pneumothorax (burst lung) caused by overwork.
Fong was a hugely celebrated artist hailed for bringing sophisticated RnB to a Chinese market (Picture: Getty)His final album, The Dreamer, was released in 2024.
Ahead of its release, he told fans: ‘Hello everyone, long time no see!
‘Thank you for your birthday wishes! I have finally started to recover from my illness.’
Fans have been left devastated by the announcement.
On Reddit, one user who goes by tangjams, wrote: ‘Was hoping he would do some shows with a newer album. Rip….a very talented guy in a sea of manufactured stars.’
Another user called eept, called Fong ;the most talented person’. They added: i listen to all of his songs a million times each, my favorite singer.’
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