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Baiyu (singer)

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Baiyu
Baiyu in 2013
Baiyu in 2013
Background information
Birth nameBaiyu Chen
BornXiamen, China
OriginPrinceton
GenresR&B, pop
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, actress
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2006–present
Websitehttp://www.baiyuonline.com

Sara Baiyu Porritt, known professionally as Baiyu, is a Chinese-born American singer-songwriter and actress. In the early 1990s, her family moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland[1][2] where she was then given the American name of "Sara". Baiyu has appeared in several independent films and was a VJ for the mtvU show "The Freshmen" from 2006 to 2008.[3] She completed high school in three years' time, and later graduated from Princeton University in 2008 with a degree in Sociology.[4]

Early life

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Baiyu grew up in a musical family, as both of her parents were musicians. She resided in Xiamen, Fujian until the age of 8, at which point she reunited with her parents in the United States after having lived with her grandparents for 2 years.[5] Baiyu attended Quince Orchard High School where she was a member of the Track and Field team as well as a dedicated member of the school choir. She took the second semester of her junior and senior years off to pursue a career in music.[6]

College years

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While attending Princeton, Baiyu traveled to New York City in between classes and schoolwork to develop her musical talents as well as to be a VJ and host for mtvU's show The Freshmen. She sang in Princeton's jazz ensemble headed up by Anthony Branker and was a member and co-director of the school's hip hop dance company BAC. She sang at multiple functions and venues around campus and was often seen writing, referencing and recording music late into the night in the school's various common areas. She was a member of Colonial Club.[citation needed][4]

Music career

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2010–11: Career beginnings and B-Side & Fan Fair

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Baiyu released her first EP "B-Side" in December 2010. Most of the songs from this project were completed during her 6-month stay in Kauai, Hawaii where she also completed the filming for an independent film, along with a music video for the single "Sweet Misery". While in the mountains of Kapaa, Baiyu also recorded a remix of Ryan Leslie's song "When We Dance", for which a video was also released.[7][8][9]

In 2011, Baiyu donated all profits from her follow-up EP Fan Fair towards Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief.[10][11] Her single "Take a Number" featuring Fred the Godson received airplay on Hot 97 and multiple college radio stations.[10][12] Her music video for the second single "Together" premiered on MTV Networks' Logo TV in August 2011.[13] The video was also picked up by MTV UK,[14] MTV Latin America,[15] MTV Canada,[16] MTV España,[17] MTV Brasil,[18] and VH1 Latin America.[19] Fan Fair hit over 200,000 downloads via the Frostwire platform.[20]

2012–2019: Hunter, CW The Next, and debut album

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On June 13, 2012, Baiyu released the first piece of her project Hunter from her self launched label Shredded Music. Hunter is a 13-song album[21] that is accompanied by an animated short entitled "The Illuminators," whose heroine is based on Baiyu. Hunter features several artists including Los of Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records; Rotimi, best known for his role on the show "Boss" from the Starz Network; Barbadian soul singer Hal Linton; and Paul Kim of American Idol.[22]

For the launch of the music portion of Hunter, Baiyu held a release event at the Custo Barcelona flagship store in SOHO.[23][24] The album's first single, "Invisible", is a collaboration with Rotimi. The music video for the single gained over 6 million views on WorldStarHipHop[25] and was on regular rotation on Canada's MuchMusic television station.[26] Upon release of the video, Vibe referred to Baiyu as "an industry one-to-watch."[27] MTV Buzzworthy named Baiyu's track "Journey of Souls" one of its "Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week".[28] Hunter was produced primarily by KQuick of Grand Staff LLC, who is known for his work with artists such as Ryan Leslie, Chris Brown, Fabolous, and Mýa.

In July 2012 Baiyu became an official brand ambassador for Sprayground, a line of backpacks and accessories, appearing in their Summer 2012 lookbook.[29][30]

Baiyu was one of four individuals highlighted on the CW Network show "The Next" by executive producer Queen Latifah. On the show, Baiyu was mentored by hip hop artist Nelly who spent 72 hours with Baiyu in preparation for her New York performance at The Paramount. The show premiered on August 16, 2012.[31]

In 2013, Baiyu was named one of Yahoo News' "Top 10 Musicians to Watch for 2013"[32] and one of UNSound Magazine's "13 Artists to Watch in 2013".[33] As a public figure often in the limelight, Baiyu took a divergent approach in 2013.[citation needed] Releasing a new single on the first of every month starting 1/1/13, she moved away from album covers that showcase her image and opted instead for artwork as a representation for her music.[citation needed] This is believed to be in an effort to encourage listeners to focus on her voice and message, instead of making assumptions based on her looks and heritage.[citation needed]

In July and August of 2013, Baiyu collaborated with Eckō Unltd. Canada as the soundtrack and model for one of their campaigns. In September, she worked with Complex (magazine) on their #oneofakindstyle campaign with Dr Pepper.

Her 2013 album Ayahuasca takes her fans even deeper into a journey of introspection as she chronicles her experience with the sacred brew.[34]

2019–present: HUR podcast and DEI work

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In August 2019, Baiyu launched a podcast called Hear Us Roar[35] featuring inspired conversations with fearless Asian women about how ideas and passions can ignite transformative journeys. She currently leads Diversity and Inclusion for OMD USA.[36]

Philanthropy

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In addition to donating the proceeds of Fan Fair to the Japanese Red Cross to aid in the tsunami relief efforts, Baiyu became a voice for DonorsChoose, working with its board of directors to raise funds for music programs in schools throughout various high poverty neighborhoods.[37] Baiyu has performed for the Sneakers for Scholars program, Camp Good Grief, and the Gala for the Homeless event. She is also a volunteer for New York Cares, and has been honored by Well Done! NYC as an outstanding individual who has "given back to various communities of New York City" as presented by the offices of Senator Chuck Schumer.[38]

Filmography

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Television appearances: as self

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  • 2012: CW's "The Next"
  • 2011: MYX TV's "MYX TV Top 10"
  • 2006–2008: mtvU's "The Freshmen"

Film: actress

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  • 2012: "The Illuminators: Division"
  • 2012: "The Chronicles of Elijah Sincere"
  • 2012: "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Kills You"
  • 2011: "Queen of Media"

Film: producer

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  • 2012: "The Illuminators: Division"

Discography

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Full studio albums

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Year Album
2013 Ayahuasca
  • Released: December 1, 2013
2012 Hunter
  • Released: June 13, 2012

Extended plays

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Year Album
2011 Fan Fair
  • Released: April 15, 2011
2010 B-Side
  • Released: December 7, 2010

References

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  1. ^ Tom Laventure. "Baiyu releases new EP". Archived from the original on April 21, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  2. ^ Baiyu Bio Archived December 26, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  3. ^ Baiyu Chen – IMDb
  4. ^ a b Wistar Wilson (March 9, 2006). "Sara Chen '08". Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2006.
  5. ^ "Baiyu releases new EP | Asian American Press". Archived from the original on April 21, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  6. ^ "Dailyprincetonian.Com". Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Ryan Leslie – When We Dance ft. Baiyu". Youtube. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  8. ^ Video: Ryan Leslie f. Baiyu, "When We Dance" « The FADER
  9. ^ "baiyu_bossip_press.jpg". baiyuonline.com. 2011. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  10. ^ a b iTunes – Music – Baiyu
  11. ^ Yodee. "BAIYU RELEASES NEW SINGLE "TOGETHER" AND ALL PROFITS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO JAPAN". Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  12. ^ 2/21/2011 Record Breakers Chart | Rapnetwork Record Breakers
  13. ^ "Baiyu – "Together"". Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  14. ^ "Together Video | Baiyu". Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  15. ^ "Together | Baiyu | Videos de música | MTVLA". Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  16. ^ http://www.mtv.ca/music/video_browse_play.jhtml?vid=673145&aid=3961587[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Baiyu | Biografias de Artistas, Videoclips, Noticias, Fotos | MTV España". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  18. ^ Baiyu | Together | 06/08/2011 | Vídeos | MTV Brasil Archived March 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Baiyu | Biografías de artistas, videos de música, noticias, fotos | VH1 LA
  20. ^ "Baiyu: Fan Fair – an amazing pop/hip-hop album featured on FrostWire". December 11, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  21. ^ "HUNTER | Baiyu". Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  22. ^ "BAIYU | Official Website » a night to never forget: hunter at custo". Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  23. ^ "Baiyu Celebrates the Release of Hunter at Custo Barcelona". June 19, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  24. ^ "Baiyu Celebrates The Release of Hunter at Custo Barcelona in NYC, Plus Download The Disc Now". June 18, 2012. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  25. ^ Video: Baiyu Feat. Rotimi – Invisible [Unsigned Hype]
  26. ^ Baiyu | Pictures & Songs | Baiyu 2013 Videos on MuchMusic.com
  27. ^ "New Videos: Streamz, Baiyu & Shaliek Rivers". May 15, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  28. ^ Brad Stern (June 19, 2012). "Cheryl, Eva Simons, Dawn Richard + More: Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week". MTV. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  29. ^ Sprayground Backpacks, Bags, and Accessories – Home Spring 2013
  30. ^ Celebs
  31. ^ Gabriel (July 27, 2012). "Fly News: Singer Baiyu Will Be On CW's 'The Next' w/ Nelly As Her Mentor". Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  32. ^ "Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Kenalsworld llc generates list". Archived from the original on February 11, 2013.
  33. ^ Tyson4kgc (January 26, 2013). "13 SO UNSOUND Artists to Watch in 2013". UNSOUND Magazine. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "New Album: AYAHUASCA". baiyuonline.com. November 30, 2013. Archived from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  35. ^ "Hear Us Roar: The Podcast". September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  36. ^ "Sara Porritt". September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  37. ^ "Baiyu's Giving Page".
  38. ^ "Well Done! NYC Award Benefit". Archived from the original on March 2, 2013.
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