(新加坡) [The New Paper]2009-5-23 FROM http://rubyurl.com/tcdU INSPIRATION is abound everywhere, hidden in nooks and crannies in the most unexpected places. American-born Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong once found his creative juices flowing while watching a documentary on Discovery Channel.' It was a programme about bugs and insects,' said the 25-year-old matter-of- factly, in a phone interview.' I was staring at the television screen and it struck me then that these little creatures, as tiny in size they might be, do play an important role in ecology, ' he said. It got him thinking about writing a song to 'pay respect to these unsung heroes of the natural environment'. The process wasn't as easy as one might imagine, added Khalil. 'I didn't want it to end up sounding too kiddy, like a nursery rhyme.' With his song-crafting deftness, he need not have worried. The result was the groovy Little Little Worm, a collaboration with Hong Kong's premier hip-hop collective FAMA. The song is included in Khalil's latest album Orange Moon, released at the end of last year. With his geeky black-rimmed spectacles and preppie style of dressing, he might not look the part of the smooth, suave soul singer. But his love of music, which runs in the family, was planted in him since he was a kid.' My dad was a drummer and he had tons of records at home,' said Khalil. 'I listened to artistes he liked, such as Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Green, and they influenced me greatly.' Of course, as I grew older, I started buying my own CDs and I bought practically whatever I could get my hands on.' Songwriting came naturally to him, one of his most recognised and acclaimed talents. Earlier this year, he became the youngest and swiftest-rising star in the history of Hong Kong's Chik Chak Music Awards by bagging three major awards in one single night - Best Male Singer (Gold), Best Singer-Songwriter and Best Composer. Though he has been compared to other Mandopop luminaries such as Jay Chou and David Tao, he confidently tells us that of the three of them, he's the only one 'whose roots are in soul'. 'People like to classify us together, because we write songs in the urban genre ,' explained Khalil. 'But while David and Jay are R&B-influenced, I'm more inclined towards soul.' He hopes that Asian music would one day take its cue from the West, where musical genres are more clearly defined. 'There are so many genres of music out there, like classical and jazz. It'll be great if we can see more Mandopop artistes exploring and specialising in each genre.' While fans can expect Khalil to continue spreading the good word of soul, there's something they won't be hearing more of, at least not in the near future - romantic duets with singer-actress Fiona Sit, 27, his rumoured girlfriend. The two have been photographed on numerous occasions by the Hong Kong paparazzi , but they have vehemently denied their relationship, claiming they are just 'very good friends'. Khalil has sung two tracks, Foursome and Copies Of Memories, with Fiona on his previous albums. When quizzed whether a third duet was in the making, he laughed and said: 'I don't think we'll be singing together for a while.' We've collaborated twice and I think we need to take a break.' http://rubyurl.com/KvaO SOUL-SEARCHING: Khalil gets inspired by nature when he writes songs. PICTURES: WARNER MUSIC SINGAPORE --

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