Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Dang
Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began singing very early in life, practically ever since I learned how to speak. I sang Vietnamese songs and oldies on my family’s karaoke machine in elementary school and eventually learned how to play piano, guitar, ukulele, and snare drum throughout middle school. I graduated high school and went through a break-up during the pandemic in 2020, so that catapulted me into my songwriting journey at the end of the year. I began experimenting with YouTube Beats and songwriting at home on my Macbook, then I gradually met producers/engineers who helped me record in their home studios and got me on track to release my music through distributors. I dropped by debut single “Last Time” in September 2021 and now have 11 original songs released (5 of my own and 6 features). My first time performing my original music live was in July 2022, from then until September 2024, I have performed in over 50 shows as an independent artist. Without the help of a manager or any team, I have received multiple media interviews through various platforms like online articles, magazines, radios, and podcasts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, for the most part! Music is a lifelong passion of mine, so I am always grateful for any opportunities to express myself creatively, showcase my music in front of audiences, and collaborate with fellow talented artists. The more tedious aspects would be social media promotion and staying consistent with posting content or booking shows. It seems that us rising artists tend to spend much more money on paying for studio time, purchasing beats, hiring a photographer/videographer, paying for performance slots, and investing in paid promotions than you actually profit. Although I am not struggling with operating as an independent artist, it does get overwhelming managing all aspects of your musical journey with no team that you trust to help relieve some responsibilities. A hardship that I do face is dating in the entertainment industry because it can be difficult to find genuine and trustworthy people in this field of work, or the partners I do find, end up feeling jealous and insecure because I am pursuing a career that is predominately run by males.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work? What are you known for? What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from others?
I am a singer/songwriter, musician, and overall entertainer. I do freelance modeling and reality acting on the side, along with photography and videography as hobbies. I primarily identify as an R&B artist, but I am most proud of my versatility. I commend my family for my wide range of music taste, which allows me to tackle any style of music that gets thrown my way. Being a Vietnamese-American female makes me a minority in most of the musical spaces I am in, so my appearance is easily distinguishable. However, what sets me apart from others musically is that my talent is multifaceted and my sound is adaptable to a multitude of genres like Hip Hop, EDM, Rap, Afrobeats, Dancehall, Reggae, etc. I play multiple instruments and was also President + Conductor / Assistant Music Director of my high school advanced choir, so that experience under my belt, along with my strong drive and passion for music, make me a force to be reckoned with.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Social media and authenticity are the key!!! The internet is a very powerful tool and should be utilized to its fullest potential. Since I am not consistent with recording content to promote on TikTok or Reels or YouTube Shorts, and I do not currently have the funds to pay for promotions, my growth is all organic and authentic. What works well for me is connecting online with fellow creatives who introduce me to other beneficial individuals, attending as many relevant events as I can to network, performing in different shows to get exposure to different audiences, and engaging with my supporters regularly. I think I make people feel appreciated and supported, so I receive that mutual respect in return. Being talented is one thing, but the way you connect with audiences and make an impact at each event you attend is what really resonates with people and helps push me in the right direction. It can be difficult to find a mentor who you trust, who aligns with your vision, who is not pre-occupied with managing other artists, and who has the adequate facilities or connections to benefit you. Therefore, instead of relying on others, I take matters into my own hands. Rather than hiring a photographer, I bought my own camera. Rather than hiring a videographer, I bring my own tripod to all my shows to record my performances. Rather than hiring a booking agent to get me gigs, I attend events and network with individuals who offer me opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/mlemusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emuhwee_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialmlemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@officialmlemusic
