Trần Thu Hà, otherwise known as HàTrần (born 26 August 1977), is a Vietnamese singer and producer.
HàTrần is the daughter of Trần Hiếu and Và © Thúy Huyá»Ân. Trần Hiếu was known as a People's Artist and was an opera teacher who served as the former Dean of the Singing Department at Hanoi National Conservatory of Music. She died from cancer when HàTrần was 14. Growing up, HàTrần's main influences included her brother Trần Và © Hoàng, a painter and Dean of the Fine Arts Department at Hanoi College of Arts, and her uncle, the songwriter and singer Trần Tiến.
As a child, she was enrolled in dance classes. HàTrần applied to learn elementary singing with her aunt at the Hanoi College of Arts at the age of 11 and obtained her bachelor's degree from Hanoi National Conservatory of Music in 2000. Hàearned many awards during this period including: "Most potential" in the contest Best Voice of Hanoi (1993), "First Class" in the National Student Singing Festival (1994), and she earned third place at the Oriole Voice (Giá»Âng hát Vàng Anh), held by Japan NHK Television and Horitro Productions (1995). She later won gold in the National Professional Singer Award in 1995 and the Best Recording Artist award by the Vietnam Musician Association in the following year (1996).
In 1998, HàTrần signed a contract with Youth Pictures (Hãng Phim Trẻ), which marked her beginning as a professional singer.
HàTrần's first studio collaboration with Bằng Kiá»Âu Wake up eglantine, produced by Hãng phim Trẻ (Youth Pictures) in 1998, includes songs composed by Dðáng Thụ, Bảo Chấn, Trần Tiến, and Ngá»Âc Châu http://hatranmusic.com. The album gained them both recognition throughout the country and made HàTrần one of the best-selling new artists at the time.
In 1999, HàTrần released her debut studio album Purity, which was produced by musician Quá»Âc Bảo. A series of hits from this album established her pop star status including "Purity" (Quá»Âc Bảo), "Lá»Âi ru cho con" (Lullaby) (Xuân Phðáng â theme for drama of Cá»§a ÃÂá» dành (Inherit)), "Tóc gió thôi bay" (Trần Tiến), "Ngày em ÃÂến" (Từ Huy) and these earned her the title "Person of The Year" among the most high-profile entertainers.
In 2000, her second solo album Love Songs For Beauty, co-produced by Quá»Âc Bảo, included the songs: "ÃÂêm cô ÃÂán" (Lonely night), "Hãy yêu nhau ÃÂi" (Love to love) a duet with Diva Thanh Lam, "Dấu phá» em qua", "Em vá» tóc xanh", and "Chá» em nái thá»Âm trÃÂng". Both of her albums received positive critiques and became best-selling albums of all-time under her label Youth Pictures. However, she later departed from them and went freelance, releasing other collaborations with her uncle Trần Tiến. Tá»± há»Âa (Self-portrait), became a national best-selling record, which opened a new chapter of her career, marked by records like: "Em vẫn nhð ngày xða" (Forever young), "Dòng sông mùa thu" (River and the Fall), "Phá» nghèo" (Old Town), "Tóc gió thôi bay", "Sắc màu" (Colors), "Chá» tôi" (My sister), and "Thành phá» trẻ" (City of the Youth).
In April, Hà's live performance in FM Blue Wave Awards of the song "Colors" led to its success in sales. She was voted Top 10 Singers by radio program of FM Làn sóng xanh (Blue Wave Awards) from 1998 to 2001 and also won the title "Most Favorite Singer" of Mai Vàng (Golden Orchid Awards), 2000. Later that year, HàTrần took part in a live concert Chiá»Âu HàNá»Âi (Hanoi evening) created by musician Và © Quang Trung to promote their previous jazz collaborations. Lullaby for Your Eyes (1999) features saxophonist Trần Mạnh Tuấn. Many songs were performed by HàTrần, including "Tiếng mða", "Lá»Âi cuá»Âi tình yêu", and "Anh yêu em." These expanded her influence as a multi-style soloist.
During 1998âÂÂ2001, HàTrần participated in other collaborations including: Môi há»Âng ÃÂào 1,2,3 (Red lips); Nghe mða 2 (Listen to the rain) (with songs composed by Bảo Chấn and Dðáng Thụ), Thanh Tùng Love songs 1 & 2, Vừa biết dấu yêu (Puberty), series of Quá»Âc Bảo's albums (Ngá»Âi hát ca bá»Ânh bá»Âng, Vàng son) and ứa featured in many popular concerts such as Duyên dáng Viá»Ât Nam, ÃÂá»Âng Vá»Âng Bá»Ân Mùa, Dòng thá»Âi gian, Mai Vàng Awards, etc.
In 2002, HàTrần and musician Ngá»Âc ÃÂại performed NháºÂt thá»±c (Solar eclipse) live show throughout Vietnam to promote their album, also named NháºÂt thá»±c (Solar eclipse). Songs on the album were written by Ngá»Âc ÃÂại and with lyrics from poems of Vi Thùy Linh. Composer ÃÂá» Bảo also contributed, along with singers Minh Anh â Minh ÃÂnh (2M band). The live show was created by choreographer Quỳnh Lan, vision director Viá»Ât Tú and the stage decorator Trần Và © Hoàng (Hà's brother).
NháºÂt thá»±c faced a number of issues upon release. There was a copyright dispute between Hàand Há»Âng Nhung for the song "Det tam gai" (Weaving Tam Gai). In December 2001, the Performance Administration raised concern that the lyrics on the album were such that they may "cause bad effects to the culture and ethic of Vietnamese music" (Mr. Lê Nam â Director of the Administration). Therefore, the album was delayed, so that the artist could revise the track listing and make amendments to some lyrics.
After settling the above matters, the show took place in April 2002, and then NháºÂt thá»±c, the album, was released in May. It includes seven songs: "Nghi ngại" (Shadow of doubt), "ÃÂừng hát tình ca du mục nữa" (Don't sing the nomad's love song), "PhÃÂa ngày nắng tắt" (Other side of sunset), "Dá»Ât tầm gai" (Weaving Tam Gai), "Tiếc nuá»Âi" (Regret), "Ảo ảnh" (Illusion), "NháºÂt thá»±c" (Solar eclipse). Two songs "Má" (Dreaming) and "Tá»± tình" were removed, reducing the album from originally nine to now seven songs, and "Cây nữ tu" was changed to the new name of "Ảo ảnh". NháºÂt thá»±c was promoted as a concept album, with a completed story of seven songs expressing seven stories told by a girl in love expressing feelings of desperation, doubt, regret and obsession.
Right after its release, NháºÂt thá»±c shocked Vietnam's music scene with its strange and new trend, including lyrics, melody, performance art and arrangement. The show became a special music event, and was then voted by presses as one of the most important cultural phenomena of 2002, a landmark of innovation in music in terms of its original style and performance in Vietnam. In addition, the existence of NháºÂt thá»±c oriented the music audiences in Vietnam to be interested in music harmony, arrangement and mix of an album. NháºÂt thá»±c was also an important step in the career of HàTrần, causing prominent development of her style: Stronger, Special and Diversity. As from NháºÂt thá»±c, Hàwas called as one of 4 divas of Vietnamese music.
Nevertheless, after success of the first show, dispute arose among the members of the show, Ngá»Âc ÃÂại â Trần Thu Hàâ Vi Thuỳ Linh. As a result, after NháºÂt thá»±c 1, Trần Thu Hàannounced to the press that she had quit Nhat thuc. Ngá»Âc ÃÂại continued with his own NháºÂt thá»±c 2 in 2003, without HàTrần and Vi Thuỳ Linh, but there were many stars of Vietnam such as: Thanh Lam, Há» Quỳnh Hðáng, Linh Dung, Tùng Dðáng, Khánh Linh, Ngá»Âc Khuê... However, "Nhat Thuc 2" live concert and the album (sold at special price of VND 6000, equal to about US$0.5 at the time) was not as successful as the first one.
In October 2002, HàTrần and Mỹ Linh went to San Jose, California, USA for a charity show. The show was held by Vnhelp to raise a fund for the poor students. HàTrần not only performed her hits but also sang many prewar songs, such as "Yêu" (To love) (VÃÂn Phụng), "Hðáng xða" (Memory of Incense) (Cung Tiến)... At the same time, a famous rock band of Vietnam The Wall noted that they would only invite HàTrần in their show, but she could not participate.
In November 2002, HÃÂ performed with Ian Shaw in the special show held by British Council.
In 2003, her voice appeared on vol.3 of Quoc Bao â Bình yên (Peaceful) with the songs: "Bình yên, Gió" (Windy), "Tình ca" (Love Song), "Làyêu chða từng yêu" (To love as the beginner), "Tình ái" (Dearest). "Bình yên" a duet song with her father â Trần Hiếu â received many supports and good complements from the audience. Her voice in the song of "Làyêu chða từng yêu" was taken in to Hotel Vietnam album of Japanese musician, Makoto Katoba.
In April 2003, she appeared in the second live show of The Wall band with the song "Khám phá" (Discovery) as a female rocker.
In August 2003, she was invited as a judge of Sao Mai Singers' Contest (former name: National Music Festival of VTV) when she was 26, the youngest judge in the history of the national music contest to date.
In October 2003, Hàheld a live show in the series of ÃÂm nhạc vànhững ngðá»Âi bạn (Music and friends show) with theme of Colors. This show was supported by Vietnam Television and live broadcast on VTV3 channel with the participation of Ha's friends: Trần Hiếu, Trần Tiến, Thanh Lam, Phðáng Thanh, Nguyá» n Ngá»Âc ÃÂnh, 5 Dòng Kẻ, etc.
In 2004, Hàcooperate with her friend, Thanh Lam, to release the album Thanh Lam â HàTrần. The album included songs written by Trá»Ânh Công Sán, ThuáºÂn Yến, Kim Ngá»Âc, Niels Lan Doky, Lê Minh Sán and Thanh Lam (Thanh Lam wrote some songs for this album). While most of the songs were duets, HàTrần had 3 solo songs "Sao ÃÂá»Âi ngôi" (Kim Ngá»Âc), "Chạy trá»Ân" (Lê Minh Sán) and "Trái tim lang thang" (Thanh Lam). At the same time, Hàalso participated in Nghiêng nghiêng rừng chiá»Âu album of Nguyá» n Cðá»Âng with 2 songs "Cho tình yêu bay lên bá»Âng bá»Ânh" and "ÃÂá» em má".
In October 2004, HàTrần participated in the Lá»Âi cá»§a giòng sông â Trá»Ânh Công Sán and guitar. The album included 5 classic solo guitar song and 8 songs with singer and guitar, in which HàTrần sang 4 Tình xa, Tình nhá»Â, Mða há»Âng, Xin trả nợ ngðá»Âi.
Ha was married in 2004 with a person of Vietnamese heritage in the United States. She later moved to the United States with her husband.
Since moving to the United States, Hàhas collaborated with Thúy Nga and had some performances in Paris By Night.
In 2005, Hàrelease HàTrần 98-03. The album included remixed versions of HàTrần's hits from 1998 to 2003: Mùa xuân gá»Âi, Phá» nghèo, Dòng sông mùa thu, Sắc màu, Chuyá»Ân tình thảo nguyên (Trần Tiến), Lá»Âi chða nói (Xuân Phðáng â theme of drama PhÃÂa trðá»Âc làbầu trá»Âi), Mða tháng giêng (Viá»Ât Hùng â Nguyá» n Viá»Ât Chiến), Tình ca, Em vá» tóc xanh, Em vá» tinh khôi (Quá»Âc Bảo), Hoa gạo (Ngá»Âc ÃÂại â Phan Huyá»Ân Thð). The album was released in the USA under name of Sắc màu â Tình ca by Thúy Nga, with an additional song Tiến thoài lðỡng nan. The album has 3 tracks recorded with some American musicians in 510 Studios, Fremont, California.
In July 2005, she performed in Miss Vietnamese USA Contest. In November 2005, Hàcame back Vietnam to perform as main actress in the musical Mythology Night dedicated to Trinh Cong Son by Phuong Nam Film. She sang three songs: Nắng thuá»· tinh (duet with Quang Dà ©ng), Lá»Âi thiên thu gá»Âi, Tá»± tình khúc (with 5 Dòng kẻ).
In September 2006, Hàreleased the 5th album Communication 06 (ÃÂá»Âi thoại 06). This album was the first album produced by HàTrần Productions (a company found by HàTrần since 2005) implemented with her coordinators: musician Trần Tiến, Nguyá» n Xinh Xô, Thanh Phðáng, Ben Doan (her husband), and 2 American sound engineers John Vestman and Max Neutra. The album was recorded at Kingkong Music Group (North Hollywood), Sound Matrix and Vestman Studio in Orange County, California and was published by Viết Tân Studio. The album was also released in the US, and was sale on some website, such as CD Baby, Amazon, Target.
Communication 06 was released as a conversation between Eastern (Vietnam) and Western music (The USA), as well as between 2 musical generations, Nguyá» n Xinh Xô and Trần Tiến. It was released by an independent label under the ambient/trip hop/electronic genre, and included songs by Trần Tiến (Ra ngõ màyêu, Bình nguyên xa vắng, Mða bay tháp cá»Â, Lữ khách sông Há»Âng and Quê nhà) and Nguyá» n Xinh Xô (Giấc má lạ, Nðá»Âc sâu). There were 3 instrumental tracks: Tiếng gá»Âi (The Calling) by Ben Doan & HàTrần, outro Quê nhà(Nolstagia) by Thanh Phðáng and Without by Ben Doan & HàTrần.
After release, the album led to debates and controversies in Vietnam on the value of such music. The album also drew the interest of both audiences and music critics, with HàTrần going on to win for Best Album at the Cá»Âng Hiến Contribution Awards (a culture and sports newspaper).
In 2007, Hàparticipated in Paris By Night 90, 88, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 78. She had two duets with Bằng Kiá»Âu in his album: Vá lại tình tôi: Bây giá» tháng mấy (Từ Công Phụng) and Cho quên thu ÃÂau thðáng (Main dans la main). She acted as judge again in the PBN Talent Show. Hàwas also featured in the debut album of new singer Hòa Trần by duet song Lá»Âi ru cho con (Lullaby) (Xuân Phðáng). HàTrần, Thanh Lam and Tùng Dðáng also performed on the album for Trần Viết Tân â Biá»Ât.
In July 2007, HàTrần production cooperated with Thúy Nga to release album Tình ca qua thế ká»· (century of love songs). This album included prewar songs of Từ Công Phụng, Ngá»Âc BÃÂch, ÃÂức Huy, Tùng Giang, Trá»Ânh Công Sán, ÃÂoàn Chuẩn, Ngô Thụy Miên, Nguyá» n ÃÂnh 9, arranged by Thanh Phðáng, Nguyá» n Xinh Xô, Nguyá» n Nhân, Shane Barber. It included some live performances from Paris By Night: Tình khúc tháng 6 and ÃÂðá»Âng xa ðá»Ât mða â duet with Bằng Kiá»Âu (PBN82), Cô ÃÂán â Nguyá» n ÃÂnh 9 (PBN83), Giá»Ât lá» thiên thu â duet with Khánh Ly, guitar Thanh Phðáng (PBN84). The album was only published in the USA due to some political issues.
In 2008, HàTrần Production released album the first musician's album Trần Tiến. Beside HàTrần, the album included contributions by Tùng Dðáng, Hòa T. Trần and David Trần.
In September 2008, Hàperformed on ÃÂá» Bảo's albumThá»Âi gian ÃÂá» yêu. The songs "Bài ca tháng 6" (Song for June) and "Câu trả lá»Âi" (The answer) was popular with the Vietnamese audience right after its release. At the end of 2008, Hàdance and sang on PBN95 with song Ra ngõ màyêu (Leaving the alley).
In March 2009, the album Tran Tien was nominated for 2008 Best Album of Cong Hien Contribution Awards (culture and sports newspaper), with winners voted by music critics and newspapers/magazines in Vietnam. Tran Tien lost by 6 votes to first-place winner Do Bao album Thoi gian de yeu.
In 2009, Hàcontinued performing in some productions by Thúy Nga Paris By Night and travelled to Vietnam for several shows, including "Khúc giao mùa", "Bóng ai qua thá»Âm", "Duyên Dáng Viá»Ât Nam 21". She also worked on new material and collaborated with the electronic project Whodat (www.Myspace.com/whodatmusic), co-producing and singing 4 songs in English and Vietnamese. The result was a collective album called Minimal Beasts, and in December 2009, the first single Stroma won the people's choice prize of Bài Hát Viá»Ât show in Vietnam. This song was dedicated for the love of nature, describing the relationship between humans and the Earth. HàTrần Productions released Minimal Beasts in the U.S. in March 2010.
ÃÂá» Bảo â HàTrần: Chuyá»Ân cá»§a Mặt Trá»Âi, Chuyá»Ân cá»§a Chúng Ta was released in 2013 and garnered critical acclaim. The first impression of 2000 CDs were sold out within three days of its release. The album was produced over a period of 18 months via telecommunication with Do Bao in Ha Noi, Vietnam and Tran Thu Ha in Southern California, USA. The post-production took 10 days at a full-fledged studio in Boston. Some of fans' favorite are: Chuyá»Ân tôi yêu, ÃÂôi Giày Lðá»Âi, Thá»Âi gian ÃÂá» yêu, Kế Hoạch Làm Bạn, and Bài Ca Cây ÃÂàn. In December 2013, ÃÂá» Bảo & HàTrần organized a few concerts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with great success. In January 2014, ÃÂá» Bảo â HàTrần: Chuyá»Ân cá»§a Mặt Trá»Âi, Chuyá»Ân cá»§a Chúng ta was nominated for 4 Cá»Âng Hiến Awards, including Album of The Year, Singer of The Year, Concert of the Year, and Composer of the Year. The awards took place on April 22, 2014, in Hanoi.
On February 13, 2024, HàTrần released Những con sông ngón tay on YouTube channel for Trấn Thành.