Ho Yeow Sun - Musical Career

Musical Career

Sun Ho led City Harvest Church’s Creative Department from 1993 till 2003 when she resigned to pursue her singing career. At the beginning of her pop career, she faced accusations that her dressing was inappropriate for her religious background, and rumors of her using her church's support to aid in album sales. After a series of successful concerts, she had the opportunity to further develop her career outside of Singapore, focusing on China, Taiwan and the US. In 2010, Sun Ho was questioned by the Singapore Police when City Harvest Church came under investigation for alleged misuse of funds.

From 2002 to 2007, Ho released a succession of five Mandarin pop albums that have either reached double or triple platinum status. During this five-year period, Ho worked with composers such as Ma Yufen (马毓芬), the late Ma Zhaojun (马兆骏) F.I.R., Milk, Arys Chien (深白色), Lee Wei Song (李伟菘), and Tan Han Jin (陈奂仁). “Lonely Travel” was ranked #1 on nine top music charts. Her next album “Gain” released in 2006 reached #1 position on 10 top music charts. In 2007, Ho released “Embrace” which hit #1 on 11 top music charts. Her song, “Starting Point”, was used as theme song for Singapore TV series “Turning Point” based on real-life inspirational stories, of which Ho was the host.

From 2003 to 2006, Ho’s first five English-language releases reached the top of the dance club charts of Billboard Magazine and London-based Music Week, making her the first Asian artist to score successive No. 1 dance hits.

In 2003, Ho broke into Hollywood with her debut American single “Where Did Love Go,” produced by David Foster and Peter Rafelson. The song reached #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play “Breakout” Chart in December 2003. Subsequently, three of her singles, “One With You”, “Without Love” and “Gone” reached #1 positions on the Billboard Dance Chart. “Ends Of The Earth” also joined the abovementioned three singles to reach #1 positions on the UK MusicWeek Chart. Since 2003, Ho has worked with a number of musicians such as Jimmy Harry, Diane Warren, Tony Moran, Chris Cox, Eric Kupper, Jason Nevins, Moto Blanco and the Underdogs.

Ho became the first Asian pop singer to be invited to the Hollywood Film Festival in 2003. The following year, Ho became the only Chinese singer to be invited to the 46th Annual Grammy Awards 2004 and to be an award presenter at the American Dancestar Music Awards 2004. In 2007, Ho attended the 2007 MTV Europe Awards, making her the first Asian pop singer to be invited to the awards ceremony. Sun also was invited to attend the Grammys in year 2007 and 2010.

In 2007, Ho collaborated with writer/producer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean on the track “China Wine.” The music video was directed by Wayne Isham and featured Tony Matterhorn and Elephant Man alongside Wyclef and Sun. Wyclef was also co-writer and executive producer of Ho’s English album, due for release in 2009. In 2008, Ho was featured in an opening spot on Wyclef’s American and Canadian concert tour, and invited to appear in his music video, “Fast Car”, featuring his duet with Paul Simon. She also performed “China Wine” with Wyclef at the SonyBMG Europe Music Awards After Party.

Songwriter Diane Warren also composed the song “因為有你 (Because You Were There)” for Sun’s “Embrace” album.

Ho recorded a song for Olivia Newton-John’s benefit CD produced by Amy Sky, “Songs of Hope and Inspiration: Olivia and Friends”

For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ho worked together with music composer David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager to submit a song composition titled “The Light.”

Ho released her US single “Fancy Free” on 14 September 2009 and the director for the music video was Joseph Kahn. Her English album “Cause A Ruckus” is due for release in late 2009.