Once Felt… “Scared” of Being Known as Trinh Cong Son’s Nephew
Singer The Thien confessed that there was a time when he felt intimidated by the title of being Trinh Cong Son’s nephew. However, after some time in the public eye, the singer now sees it as something to be proud of and no longer feels burdened by it.
“The title of being Trinh Cong Son’s nephew will probably stick with me for a long time (laughs), so I’m not scared anymore. I am his nephew, and that is something to be proud of. I hope that, regardless of how people come to know me, my music will still be appreciated,” The Thien shared.
The singer also revealed that he is the only member of the second generation to follow in the footsteps of the late musician Trinh Cong Son. As such, he receives immense support from his family. He said, “When they learned I was pursuing a singing career, everyone was thrilled. Family members even came to the set where I filmed my MV to cheer me on.”
Not only that, after releasing his debut album Trần Thế (Mortal World), the Gen Z singer humorously disclosed that his family are his biggest fans, attending nearly all of his performances to show their support.
The album Trần Thế consists of 10 tracks, including classic compositions by Trinh Cong Son like Diễm Xưa and Hồn Trai (which samples Một Cõi Đi Về, featuring vocals from Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh – The Thien’s mother).
When discussing his ideas for the songs with his mother, The Thien expressed gratitude for her respect for his individuality and creative freedom in music. “When I asked to use my mom’s voice from Một Cõi Đi Về to open Hồn Trai, she was very excited and supported me wholeheartedly,” The Thien recalled.
The singer admitted that in the past, he couldn’t fully grasp Trinh’s music. But as he gained more life experiences and was encouraged by his mother to interpret Trinh’s songs in his own way, he developed a deep connection with his uncle’s music.
According to him, growing up in a family with artistic traditions and being exposed to music from a young age, he understands and values the advice given by his family to avoid pitfalls on his artistic journey.
“I deeply appreciate my family’s advice. However, due to my personality, I prefer learning through my own experiences and mistakes. Still, I always listen to others to minimize risks and avoid costly lessons,” the singer explained.
Sharing memories of Trinh Cong Son, The Thien particularly remembered being punished often as a child for his mischievous behavior.
“When I was little, I was very naughty and got punished by my uncle many times. Back then, I felt resentful, but now I realize how much he cared for me,” The Thien reflected.
Explaining his decision to pursue music under his real name, the singer said, “The name Tigrebia has been associated with my work as a stylist. So, I wanted to create a fresh start on my musical journey with a new identity.”
The late musician Trinh Cong Son named him, which means “a heavenly entity amidst the mortal world.” Having such a unique name, The Thien shared that he used to feel embarrassed about it during school and would often hide his real name because it felt unusual.
“As I grew older, I began to feel more connected to my name. Music has been my childhood dream, so I wanted to use the name I was given at birth to introduce myself to the public. It’s also a way to pay tribute to the person who inspired my love for music and poetry—Trinh Cong Son,” he added.
“I Admire tlinh’s Talent and Unique Musical Style”
In his debut album Trần Thế, The Thien collaborated with tlinh and Orange. Notably, the track SAIGONTEY featuring rapper tlinh unexpectedly became a TikTok sensation, sparking a dance and “transformation” trend with millions of views.
“tlinh and Orange are incredibly talented artists whom I deeply admire. Both were very enthusiastic and supportive of my musical journey. When I invited them to collaborate, they immediately agreed and quickly wrote their parts,” The Thien recounted.
He also mentioned that this was the first time he heard Orange sing in the studio. “Listening to Orange’s voice gave me goosebumps—it was truly amazing,” he said.
During this collaboration, The Thien revealed that tlinh offered valuable advice and encouragement, helping him gain more confidence in his artistic path. “I admire tlinh’s talent and unique style in music,” The Thien expressed.
Currently, the singer is focusing on honing his musical skills, including singing, dancing, songwriting, and music production.
Although he achieved significant success as a stylist, the 1998-born artist admitted that he viewed styling as just a phase in his life.
“Fashion came to me by chance. I’m grateful for the opportunities and successes I had as a stylist. But after five years, I realized it was time to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a musician, so I decisively ended my career as a stylist,” The Thien explained.
From a young age, The Thien dreamed of becoming a singer: “I sang all day long, and at 13, I started taking vocal, piano, and dance lessons.”
The Thien emphasized that music isn’t just a fleeting interest but a lifelong journey. “From a shy boy who loved music quietly, I’ve grown into the confident The Thien of today, ready to share my music with the audience,” he said.
Speaking with Dân Trí, the singer shared that his music blends the past and present, maintaining the spirit of electronic music while infusing new energy into Trinh’s classics.
Looking ahead to 2025, The Thien revealed he is working on the physical and deluxe versions of his debut album Trần Thế. He also expressed hopes of collaborating with more talented artists in the future.
About Singer The Thien
The Thien (born 1998) is the youngest son of singer Trinh Vinh Trinh, the younger sister of the late musician Trinh Cong Son.
In 2012, he participated in Vietnam’s Got Talent and reached the semifinals.
After the competition, The Thien put his musical aspirations on hold to study theatre and performing arts in Canada for four years.
Before returning to music, The Thien gained recognition as a stylist under the name Tigrebia, working with artists like tlinh, Suboi, Chau Bui, Duc Phuc, and My Anh.
