Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong dies at 41

Hong Kong singer-songwriter. Photo from Fong's Weibo

Fong’s label Fu Music shared the news on Saturday via Weibo, as reported by The Straits Times.

"Khalil Fong peacefully and serenely left this world on the morning of Feb. 21, 2025, embarking on another realm of his life’s journey to continue his mission and dreams," the post read. "The music and graphic novels he left behind are eternal spiritual treasures."

The cause of his illness has not been revealed.

According to The New York Times, Fong first rose to prominence in 2005 when Warner Music Hong Kong released his debut album "Soulboy," a funky and syncopated record that marked his entry into the popular music scene. Over the next decade, he released eight albums and performed around the world in stadiums and large concert halls, often wearing his signature thick black glasses.

However, Fong’s career was cut short by health issues, including a 2010 diagnosis of pneumothorax, which caused chest pain and shortness of breath. In recent years, he largely retreated from the public eye, releasing only a handful of singles. His final performance took place in 2019 at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore as part of the Huayi–Chinese Festival of Arts.

His last album "The Dreamer" was released in Oct. 2024.

"My new album The Dreamer is literally a ‘sick’ album because it was recorded during various stages of illness," he wrote on Instagram at the time. "In my condition, it was both a challenge and a relief from the rather tedious circumstance I was in."

Born in 1983 in Hawaii, Fong moved to Hong Kong in the late 1990s after living in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Introduced to music early by his father, a professional drummer, Fong began playing drums at home before taking up the guitar at age 15. He drew inspiration from American music legends such as Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

In addition to his solo career, Fong made significant contributions to the Cantopop and Mandopop scenes, writing and producing for artists like Eason Chan, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, A-mei, and Fiona Sit.

In 2018, Fong released a six-book graphic novel series for children titled "Emi The Dream Catcher," which explores themes of lucid dreams. He had planned to release 30 titles over the following decade.