A-Mei
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Chang Hui-mei (張惠妹, Hanyu Pinyin: Zhāng Hùimèi) (b. August 9, 1972), popularly known as A-Mei (阿妹), is a Taiwanese pop singer.
She was born a tribal princess of the Puyuma aborigines in a mountainous region of eastern Taiwan .
A-Mei became known for a provocative style of dress, energetic performances in which she would often break into a heavy sweat, and a sultry voice reminiscent of Mariah Carey's.
A-Mei has become the subject of considerable political controversy in recent years. In 2000, she sang the ROC national anthem at the first Presidential inauguration of Chen Shui-bian. This angered the PRC government, which subsequently banned her from performing in mainland China until June 2001. In June 2004, she cancelled a concert to be held in Hangzhou after some 100 people held up banners and chanted: "Oppose Taiwan independence, unify China". In response, many A-Mei fans in Taiwan called for a boycott of singers from mainland China.
Public opinion of A-Mei in Taiwan has also been mixed recently. In August 2004 following demands from certain quarters in mainland China that she sing the PRC national anthem and "other patriotic songs", Vice President Annette Lu demanded that A-Mei choose between her singing career in mainland China and defending Taiwan's national interests. A-Mei has denied any political motives and insisted that she does not want to get involved in politics. Despite such issues, she is typically seen as the most popular, influential, and to a degree, revered singer in Taiwan.
Albums
- 姊妹(Sisters; 1996)
- Bad Boy (1996)
- 牽手 (Holding Hands; 1998)
- Feel A*Mei 感覺張惠妹 (EP 1998)
- 我可以抱你嗎愛人 (Can I Hold You, Lover; 1999)
- 妹力新世紀 (A*Mei New Century; Collection; 1999)
- 歌聲妹影 (A*Mei with Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra; 2000)
- 不顧一切 (Regardless; 2001)
- 真實 (Reality; 2001)
- 發燒 (Fever; 2002)
- 勇敢 (Brave; 2003)
- 也許明天 (Maybe Tomorrow; 2004)
Reference
- Time Asia (http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/heroes/amei.html) - Time Asia article on A-mei
- Taipei Times (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/06/14/2003174980) - Article on recent political controversyzh:張惠妹