Singapore mourns pioneering artist and radio host Chris Ho

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  • The colourful personality played a formative role in shaping the country's underground band and electronic scenes.
  • Singapore mourns pioneering artist and radio host Chris Ho image
  • Chris Ho, a veteran and pioneer of Singapore's alternative music scene, died on Monday, September 27th, following a two-month battle with cancer. Ho, whose aliases include X'Ho and DJ Mentor, was admitted into hospital on July 7th, 2021, and diagnosed with stomach cancer. Though he was famously secretive about his age, he was estimated to be in his 60s. In his 1998 book Skew Me, You Rebel Meh?, he wrote that he wanted his obituary to read: "X'Ho. Age: Forever 27 (the real age is none of anyone's business)." A DJ, author, filmmaker, radio presenter and more, Ho was beloved for his unconventional style, dedication to local talent and outspoken personality. Singaporean artists routinely cite him as a major influence on their musical education and his contribution to building a local underground music community is considered immense. "A radio legend, music trailblazer and a gentle soul, Chris Ho is pretty much like the John Peel of Singapore, always championing the alternative and educating music lovers through the leftfield music he played during his shows," Robin Chua, who DJs as KiDG, told Resident Advisor. For many Singaporeans, Ho was their introduction to experimental electronic music and harder strains of rock. In 1979, he was the frontman for garage hard rock band Transformer and went on to sing for Zircon Lounge, widely considered to be Singapore's first new wave band, in 1982. Ho's years on the airwaves made him a household name in Singapore. In the 1970s, he joined Rediffusion, a private cable-radio station where he promoted homegrown alternative music. In the ‘90s, he joined the state-owned broadcasting company Mediacorp and helped program Gold 905's weekday Homestretch show that he ran until his death. Ho was also a presence at Radio Singapore International, Lush 99.5FM and 98.7FM, among other platforms. "Chris Ho was the essence of Singapore’s music subcultures," Vanessa Fernandez (AKA Vandetta), a singer who worked with Ho at the now-defunct Lush 99.5FM, told RA. "Progressive, tasteful and eloquent as an artist, selector and presenter, he was deeply loved and respected for being fiercely original and always insightful. We mourn the loss of a champion but we will always cherish and remember the legend that is X'Ho." As a DJ, Ho started several club nights in the '90s and '00s, such as Future Soul and Cyber-Tech. He was a resident at The Liquid Room and regularly played at established clubs such as Zouk, Ministry Of Sound and Café del Mar. Ho was also openly gay and paved the way for other members of Singapore's queer community to express themselves despite strict anti-homosexuality laws. His unfaltering commitment to challenging the status-quo, whether through his work or personality, earned him descriptors like "Singapore's original bad boy." Read some tributes from Ho's close associates and fans, collated for RA by Singaporean DJ and Midnight Shift cofounder Kavan Spruyt.

    KIAT (SYNDICATE)

    "Never one to live by the status quo in our conservative society. X'Ho has, and always will be the original critical creative rebel, a true original icon of Singaporean culture."

    Georgina Chang (Mediacorp, Lush 99.5FM)

    "Tattooed from top to toe with outrageous piercings, Chis was intimidating to sheltered conservatives. In truth, he was a gentle, kind and innovative artist who pushed boundaries. A consummate professional, his comforting dulcet tones made him an enduring radio voice. He showed us other experiences of humanity, and his legacy of edgy authenticity touched so many of us who loved and will continue to love this iconic legend."

    Cherry Chan (SYNDICATE)

    "He is such a rare artist in our society, so clever, brave, gentle and with an awesome, diverse body of works that made me think deep, dig deeper with a chuckle. He is also incredibly sweet-tempered with a presence that's just really healing for creative souls. There can only be one X'Ho. Thank you for all that you have given, you know you'll live on "forever 27" in all our hearts."

    Bernard Lim (SPH Radio, Kiss92 FM, One FM 91.3)

    "Chris roused my passion for the radio medium. As a music lover and DJ, Chris was always very experimental in his music tastes. From Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground to Romeo Void, REM etc. He generously shared his music knowledge on these acts which were not mainstream yet at that time ... He was always looked up as a pop icon at home. Living alone, Chris has always been a private person, who guarded his age secretly. (Even when he was stricken with stomach cancer, he kept it from many friends). Always perceived as a 'rebel-of-sorts' and anti-establishment type of a celebrity to the outsiders, he is truly a gentle, caring and soft-hearted person if you know him. Vastly knowledgeable in his music, deeply passionate in his craft, Chris has a fine balance of intellect, passion, principles and values in him. Always my mentor, inspiration in my career and passion in music." A wake is being held for Ho at the Singapore Casket's Ruby Room until this Thursday, September 30th.
RA