Background
Edison Chen was born on October 7th, 1980. He was raised in Richmond (Vancouver) and graduated high school at Robert Cecilia Palmer Secondary School (apparently, Edison was a slacker at school but was lucky enough to graduate). He is currently living in Hong Kong and works in Asian cinema, music and fashion. He owns a lifestyle company named CLOT, which works with labels and artists from all around the world gathering them all together in unison in the Greater Asian region, although they are based in the Hong Kong region. Edison's official online blog states that "He is just a normal everyday guy like you, but only his job is to entertain..."
In Canada, he searched for a successful way to become a celebrity. Seeing how he failed to receive any recording contracts within Canada or the States because of his Chinese ancestry, he later returned to Hong Kong, and with the help of his father and networks, he was able to make it big, signing a deal with the EEG company. Since then, he has sold over a million in CDs, involved with numerous films and advertisements, including Levi's Jeans and Samsung Cellphones.
Prior to his music career, he went to High School in Hong Kong International School (HKIS) in the class of 1998. He also attended high school at R. C. Palmer Secondary School in Richmond, BC.
Career
Chen has starred in many films including Infernal Affairs II and Twins Effect. He also sings cantopop and can speak English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. However, as with many foreign-born Chinese, Edison does not have a perfect command of Cantonese or Mandarin. He is idolized for his "cool" attitude and his good looks, though critics cite him as conceited ("chuen", "串", in Cantonese slang).
Though many consider Edison Chen to be the first pop singer who brought hip-hop culture to Hong Kong music industry, it was LMF that began the underground hip-hop industry in Hong Kong. But if LMF started hip-hop in Hong Kong, Edison made it mainstream in Cantopop. This is reflected as many of Edison's rap songs feature MC Yan from the now disbanded LMF.
His song "香港地" (Hong Kong Place), featuring MC Yan and Han Jin, about how the Hong Kong people are like, and calls for union of the Hong Kong people, was one of the great hits in 2004. Edison continued his hip-hop style, and released another hip-hop album HAZY in 2005. The song "嘥氣" (Waste of Breath) describes the assault incident Edison encountered before.
Edison's first movie Gen-Y Cops received terrible reviews from the Hong Kong media. As he has gained more experience he has improved somewhat since those early days. He recently starred in the film Jiang Hu in which his character had to rape a dog as a punishment. This scene however, did not bring praise from critics as Edison remains, as some critics say, "talentless". In the movie Initial D Chen took the role of Ryosuke Takahashi.
Currently, Edison is making his Hollywood Debut in The Grudge 2, the second in a Japanese horror remake of Ju-on, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Amber Rose Tamblyn. He is cast as an investigative reporter. The film will be released on Friday, October 13 2006.
Edison had also established his own lifestyle company, CLOT inc. It is co-owned by Edison himself with partners Kevin Poon and Billy Ip. CLOT has been a hit in Hong Kong since its establishment in 2004, with their retail select clothing shop JUICE selling brands from around the globe, including silas, tonite, PAM, devilock, Revolver, Neighborhood, Nike, Medicom Toys etc. Edison and co hit the peak this year with their collaboration with Nike on a pair of sneakers, known as the Air Max 1 NL 'Kiss Of Death'. The sneakers sold out immediately after its worldwide release and has known to be one of the most sought after sneakers this year to Sneaker Heads.
Edison has received help from fellow rap artist "Lupe Fiasco" to help Edison by being featured in a mixtape with Edison. The song "Chicapow" was well known getting Edison more well known in the rap scene. Not only has Lupe Fiasco helped Edison with songs, he also models with Edison's CLOT clothing.
Notable News
In March 2004, Edison Chen was assaulted by two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, in downtown Hong Kong. The two teenagers apparently mocked Edison by breakdancing in front of Edison as he was leaving a hair salon. One of the teenagers swung at Edison and hit him in the right ear. The two teens ran off whilst Edison gave chase for nine city blocks before returning to the same shopping arcade. There he called his "assistants" (rumored to be ex-Triads) to look for the two teens. They were eventually caught on a bus.
Edison was also voted as the top 100 Asian men by public Internet users this year, 2006.
On March 22 2006, Edison Chen was on a Japanese dating show with Anne Suzuki who was Jay Chou's character's girlfriend in Initial D.
Edison is currently dating Vincy Yeung, niece of EEG boss, Albert Yeung.
Around June 2007, many newspapers and magazine has reported Chen's new mandarin song 'Remember Me?' [記得我嗎] contained words of criticism towards his old music company Emperor Music Company.
Discography
Albums
June, 2007 - Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself - NEWEST ALBUM!
May, 2006 - 69FM Mixtape - independent of any major record labels
January, 2006 - The Best Collection 首張個人卡拉OK VCD
December 21, 2005 - The Best Collection 精選]
April 18, 2005 - Hazy: The 144 Hour Project (Version 2)
January 4, 2005 - Hazy: The 144 Hour Project
February 26, 2004 - Please Steal This Album
February 13, 2003 - Hits or Misses
December 6, 2002 - Transition (Mandarin) (Limited Edition)
August 29, 2002 - Transition (Mandarin)
July 3, 2002 - Break Through
December 20, 2001 - Peace And Love
November 2, 2001 - Ed Is On (Mandarin)
June 16, 2001 - Visual Diary (Version 2)
May 10, 2001 - Visual Diary
November 30, 2000 - Edison Chen (陳冠希) (EP)
Filmography
2007 - Shrek 3[Hong Kong version] (voice acting as Arthur)
2006 - The Grudge 2 (Hollywood)
2006 - Dog Bite Dog (狗咬狗)
2005 - Onastuki (Japan)
June 23, 2005 - Initial D (頭文字D)
2004 - A1 Headlines
August 6, 2004 - The Twins Effect 2(千機變II)
2004 - Jiang Hu (江湖)
2004 - Life Translated (UK/China)
2004 - Moving Targets
2004 - Sex and the Beauties
2003 - Infernal Affairs 3 (無間道III) [cameo]
2003 - The Spy Dad
2003 - Infernal Affairs 2 (無間道II)
2003 - The Medallion [cameo]
June 23, 2003 - The Twins Effect (千機變)
December 12, 2002 - Infernal Affairs (無間道)
2002 - Nine Girls and a Ghost
2002 - Princess D
2001 - Dance of a Dream
2001 - Dummy Mommy Without a Baby
2001 - Final Romance
2000 - Dead Or Alive 2
2000 - Gen-Y Cops
TV Series
- MTV Whatever Things
- Eight Great bold Heroes
- Koisuru Hanikami (aka. Honey Coming)
Heroes
陳冠希 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Check out the bullets racing through your mind,
It doesn′t matter if you life or die,
And that's the reason why you′re still alive,
Now when the walls come crashing,
The world will believe you're standing on your own.
And the night will fall upon your soul,
You read the signs and know which way to go.
Heroes will never give, they carry on when it's ruff
And that′s the way it should go.[here we go, here we go, go!]
They seem alive when it′s dark, and when to fight when it's hard,
They make it right when everything goes out of control, oh...
Do it, just do it. Don′t stop, don't stop!
Do it, just do it. Ah!
Outside the heat is rising,
You try to keep your head off the ground,
And even though the sky is falling down,
We did the fight, it′s what it's all about.
Now when the walls come crashing,
The world will believe you′re standing on your own.
And the night will fall upon your soul,
You read the signs and know which way to go.
(Chorus)
Heroes will never give, they carry on when it's ruff
And that's the way it should go.[here we go, here we go, go!]
They seem alive when it′s dark, and when to fight when it′s hard,
They make it right when everything goes out of control, oh...
(Chorus)
Heroes will never give, they carry on when it's ruff
And that′s the way it should go.[here we go, here we go, go!]
They seem alive when it's dark, and when to fight when it′s hard,
They make it right when everything goes out of control, oh...
(Rap)
They take what they take, these Gen-Y Cops,
They do what they gotta do, they won't be stopped,
Their hosta pasta, you know you get locked,
Coming at your ass like robocops.
With a run, kick them back, with a kung-fu flip
Stomp on the place you know you hate-hate
Guchi in the mega-mega wild, wild west,
The craze your amaze pulling out of your chest.
The bombs, knives, gun, grenades,
Diping in and out, moving out of the shade,
The way to fight crime, they seem to amaze,
You gots to give up and give them the brakes.
(Chorus)
Heroes will never give, they carry on when it′s ruff
And that's the way it should go.[here we go, here we go, go!]
They seem alive when it's dark, and when to fight when it′s hard,
They make it right when everything goes out of control, oh...
(Chorus)
Heroes will never give, they carry on when it′s ruff
And that's the way it should go.[here we go, here we go, go!]
They seem alive when it′s dark, and when to fight when it's hard,
They make it right when everything goes out of control, oh...
Do it, just do it! Do it just do it!
Do it, just do it! Don′t stop! Don't stop!
Do it, just do it!
The lyrics of "Heroes" by Chen Kunxi encourage the listener to never give up, no matter how challenging life can be. The song speaks to the idea that sometimes it can feel as though your world is crashing down around you, but it's important to keep going and to believe in yourself. The opening lines of the song describe fear and anxiety, but they emphasize the fact that even when it feels like you might not make it, you can still survive.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, repeating the phrase "Heroes will never give, they carry on when it's rough" multiple times. It celebrates those who are brave and determined, who are able to face adversity and come out on top. The rap verse in the middle of the song adds a sense of urban grittiness and adventure, speaking to the struggle against crime and corruption.
Overall, "Heroes" is a song that encourages listeners to keep fighting, no matter what challenges they may face. It emphasizes bravery, determination, and a willingness to stand up for what you believe in, even in the face of danger or difficulty.
Line by Line Meaning
You feel your body shaking.
You are experiencing fear and anxiety.
Check out the bullets racing through your mind,
Your mind is racing with thoughts and worries.
It doesn′t matter if you life or die,
You are willing to risk your life for a cause.
And that's the reason why you′re still alive,
Your determination and bravery have kept you alive.
Now when the walls come crashing,
When facing adversity or challenges.
The world will believe you're standing on your own.
Others will see you as strong and independent.
And the night will fall upon your soul,
A time of darkness and difficulty for you.
You read the signs and know which way to go.
You are able to discern the right path to take in difficult situations.
Heroes will never give, they carry on when it's ruff
Heroes persevere in tough times without giving up.
And that′s the way it should go.[here we go, here we go, go!]
This is the expected behavior of a hero.
They seem alive when it′s dark, and when to fight when it's hard,
Heroes are at their best in difficult situations and know when and how to fight.
They make it right when everything goes out of control, oh...
Heroes restore order and make things right when chaos ensues.
Outside the heat is rising,
There is increasing pressure and tension externally.
You try to keep your head off the ground,
You are trying to stay motivated and focused.
And even though the sky is falling down,
Despite overwhelming challenges or obstacles.
We did the fight, it′s what it's all about.
The battle was fought and that's the most important thing.
They take what they take, these Gen-Y Cops,
The younger generation of police officers are taking what they need to make a difference.
They do what they gotta do, they won't be stopped,
They are committed and determined to succeed, no matter what.
Their hosta pasta, you know you get locked,
They are skilled and can easily apprehend criminals.
Coming at your ass like robocops.
They are relentless in their pursuit of justice, like robots.
With a run, kick them back, with a kung-fu flip
They use physical force and martial arts to fight crime.
Stomp on the place you know you hate-hate
They aggressively attack the places and crimes that they detest.
Guchi in the mega-mega wild, wild west,
They venture into dangerous territories to make a difference.
The craze your amaze pulling out of your chest.
They are driven and passionate about making a change.
The bombs, knives, gun, grenades,
They face dangerous and potentially deadly situations.
Diping in and out, moving out of the shade,
They are able to navigate their surroundings and avoid danger.
The way to fight crime, they seem to amaze,
Their methods of fighting crime are impressive and effective.
You gots to give up and give them the brakes.
You have no choice but to surrender to them.
Do it, just do it!
Take action and do what needs to be done.
Don′t stop! Don't stop!
Don't give up and keep pushing forward.
Writer(s): Chan Siu Kei, Pui Tat Kam
Contributed by Claire T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.