‘I’ve made it here’: Hong Kong singer MC shares why he held free concert at his old busking spot in Tsim Sha Tsui

The performance was a way for the artist to pay tribute to his humble beginnings.

“It reminded me of those tough times when I was busking on the streets, where I could be dismissed at any time, without even being able to earn enough for my transport,” he said in an interview after the show.

“It’s incredible to see so many people who have come to watch me sing tonight.”

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In Cheung’s opinion, singing at the open-air piazza is the pinnacle of Tsim Sha Tsui’s street performer scene.

“In the beginning, I was only singing in the passageway. As I gained a bigger audience, I levelled up and sang near the payphone, and later by the pier. Now, I’ve made it here,” the Cantopop artist said.

During the one-hour concert – with the scenic harbour night view as its backdrop – Cheung performed nine tracks, followed by two more during the encore.

Besides singing his chart-topping pop hits “The One For U” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Old-Fashioned Dating”, the artist also brought back some of his busking classics, including Khalil Fong’s “Love Song”.

But one song he performed by American singer Bruno Mars holds a special place in Cheung’s heart: “Talking to the Moon”.

He had said in a previous interview that this soulful track reminded him of his late father, who passed away when the Cantopop artist was a candidate on ViuTV’s talent competition show, King Maker II.

“I have longed for a stage to sing this song. During the talent competition show, I wanted to sing it in the finale, but I could not. Being able to sing it at this familiar spot this time has truly fulfilled my wish,” Cheung said.

Before he became part of a new wave of Cantopop artists reviving Hong Kong’s music scene, the self-made artist was a member of a busking team called “Nothing Special”. He would perform with the group for passers-by in popular spots from Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui to Tai Po.

Cheung’s journey to stardom began in 2019 after winning second place in ViuTV’s talent competition show, King Maker II, which had also produced the colossal success of the local boy band, Mirror.

Despite his success on the show, Cheung turned down the broadcaster’s offer to join a boy band.

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Instead, he chose to pursue his dream as an independent solo artist. Though he lacked access to resources, Cheung relied on social media to make his name known and posted videos of his cover songs.

In 2020, he decided to sign with Warner Music Hong Kong, a record label that gave Cheung the support he needed to launch his career.

The following year, he made his debut, capturing Hongkongers’ hearts with his R&B single “Good Time” and his breakout hit, “Pillow Talk”, a ballad about a painful break-up. The viral song has been streamed more than 25 million times on Spotify.

At the 2021 Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation, Cheung won the gold award for best new male singer.

In January, he performed three sold-out concerts in the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom, becoming the first solo artist from ViuTV’s talent show to make it to the coveted stage that seats 12,500 people.

According to Spotify’s 2023 round-up released last week, Cheung’s first full-length album, This Is MC, was the most popular album in Hong Kong. Fifteen of his songs were featured on Apple Music’s year-end chart of 2023’s top songs in Hong Kong and Macau.

At his show in Tsim Sha Tsui last week, Cheung noted his appreciation for fans who stuck with him since his early days also made it to the show: “one of them was the former administrator of my fan club.”

Cheung’s show at the piazza was not the first time he returned to street busking: last year, Cheung did a surprise busking session in Mong Kok, where he performed some of his biggest hits.

But Cheung noted that because of his growing popularity, surprise shows were no longer feasible as he needed staff to help maintain order at his performances.

Still, the star has not forgotten the importance of cultivating spaces for up-and-coming singers in the city. In 2021, he posted an Instagram story of a sign banning musical performances in public spaces and voiced his support for new busking spaces in Hong Kong.

After his recent concert, he said: “In Taiwan, buskers could apply for permits to perform in designated areas ... If Hong Kong allows certain areas for people to play music, it would be a great support for busking and street culture.”

Cheung also dug into his busking roots – when he used to sing for five or six hours straight – for the perseverance to deliver a stellar performance despite feeling a bit sick that morning.

“My throat was slightly swollen, and my voice was a little hoarse. But it does not matter. I will still do my best to sing. That’s how busking is, after all,” he remarked.

Asked if he would do another free show, the singer said after the success of this performance, he would consider doing more at other popular busking spots.

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“This show has given confidence to the company, and I hope we will have another one in the near future,” he said.

Ahead of the Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation to be held in January, Cheung noted that “awards don’t really matter” and that his night at the piazza was the “biggest prize”.

“Compared to awards, it’s enough for me when the audience listens to my songs and sings along with me,” he shared.