1. Welcome Tu P! Tell us a bit about yourself? I’m a doctor in family medicine and youth mental health, and an Australian-based Vietnamese hip-hop artist.
2. Your new track and video called ‘Coronavirus Brings Out The Worst (And Best) Of Us’ is very powerful. Tell us what inspired you to write this track? I saw a lot of misinformation about covid19 being spread, and disappointing responses from a number of world leaders, and also stories of human ingenuity which needed more coverage, and I thought I’d synthesise all of these into one double-track.
3. How does it feel to be a doctor during this time? It’s quite busy, and the other staff are overworked and stressed, and the patients are worried, though I’m blessed to still be working and have a role to play in this pandemic.
4. How has the Coronavirus impacted your musical career? Live shows haven’t really been happening. Though an artist like me who makes music based on the news cycle will usually have something to reflect on.
Tu P Interview
5. What message would you like to send to your fans/new listeners in this time? That the way we act now will be written in history.
6. We noticed that you posted a photo of yourself in your scrubs on Instagram saying ‘New Video, Coming Soon’. Do you have plans for a follow-up to ‘Coronavirus Brings Out The Worst (And Best) Of Us’? I have another double track “Love For My Team – When I Get Out” coming out soon, it will be about recognising my healthcare team for the work they do, and my plans for the future post-pandemic.
I have another double track “Love For My Team – When I Get Out” coming out soon, it will be about recognising my healthcare team for the work they do, and my plans for the future post-pandemic.
7. You are clearly a politically motivated artist – what is your take on the civil unrest in America right now? My heart aches for America – I have a lot of friends and family there. Many people are angry right now, due to the manifold effects of systemic racism, culminating in the death of George Floyd. Systemic problems need systemic change – that is how they are going to put this fire out.
8. Do you plan to play any live shows once restrictions are lifted? I hope so – it will be interesting to see how shows will be conducted in future.
9. What advice do you have for up-and-coming rappers out there? Network and learn from your influences, while also staying true to yourself. With the democratisation of music, if you use this approach for long enough, you’ll eventually find your tribe.
10. What is next for Tu P? About to release a follow up lyric video to “Save Our Seas” with Marx Sickmind, and I’m writing another track about international relations during the pandemic, policing and freedom of speech on social media. Lots more to come!
