Sa Ding Ding

Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor


name = Sa Ding Ding
caption =
tradchinesename = 薩頂頂
simpchinesename = 萨顶顶
pinyinchinesename = Sà Dǐng Dǐng
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birthdate = birth date and age|1983|12|23
birthplace = Inner Mongolia
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occupation = Singer, composer,lyrics writer,record producer, choreographer
genre = Electronica, pop, folk
instrument = Guzheng, horse-head fiddle
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label = Universal
yearsactive = 2001–present
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website = www.sadingding.co.uk
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Sa Ding Ding is a Chinese folk singer and songwriter. She is of mixed Han and Mongolian ancestry, and sings in languages including Mandarin, Sanskrit, Tibetan, a near-extinct tongue Laghu, as well an imaginary self created language to evoke the emotions in her songs [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2008/2008_sa_ding_ding.shtml "BBC - Awards for World Music 2008 - Asia/Pacific"] , broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four television.] . She also plays traditional instruments such as the "guzheng" and "matouqin" (horse-head fiddle).

Biography

Born in Inner Mongolia, Sa Ding Ding was influenced by the music of the ethnic minorities while living with her grandmother in Inner Mongolia until the age of 6 [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/my-secret-life-sa-dingding-singer--musician-25-823509.html "The Independent - My Secret Life"] ] . She also became interested in Buddhism and taught herself Tibetan and Sanskrit. Later on, she moved to Beijing to study philosophy and music at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music.

By the time she turned 18, she released her first album entitled "Dong Ba La" under the name 周鹏 (Zhou Peng), awarding her with the title of China’s Best Dance Music Singer.

In 2006, "Holy Incense" was used as the theme song for the movie "Prince of the Himalayas", directed by Sherwood Hu.

In mid-2007, she released "Alive", now available physically and as a download in many countries. The Hong Kong release of the album features a DVD containing music videos, a remix of "Alive", making of footage and a Chinese version of "Mama Tian Na", not featured on the album.

In 2008 she won the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for the Asia-Pacific region, as well as releasing a two track single called "Qin Shang" [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2008/winners.shtml "BBC - Awards for World Music 2008 - Winners"] , broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four television.] .

Most recently, Ding Ding has appeared at Womad and the Harrogate Festival in the UK. She is currently working on another album, possibly due out by the end of 2008 [ [http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6624/1/ "Variety - China Calls Upon Sa Ding Ding"] ] . On October 6, her official English website was updated with information about a European tour, going from November 7th to 17th, making stops in Germany, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Las Palmas [ [http://http://sadingding.co.uk/ "Sa Ding Ding Official English Site"] ] .

Discography

Albums
* (2001.xx.xx) "Dong Ba La"
* (2007.08.28) "Alive" (万物生)

Singles
* (2008.07.30) "Qin Shang"

References

External links

* [http://www.sadingding.co.uk/ Official UK website]
* [http://blog.sina.com.cn/sadingding/ Official blog] (Chinese)
* [http://www.universalmusicworld.jp/sa_ding_ding/ Official Japanese website] (Japanese)
* [http://www.new.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=38762659000&ref=ts Unofficial Fans Page on Facebook (English)]

Interviews

* [http://www.globalrhythm.net/WorldMusicFeatures/SaDingding.cfm Sa Dingding interview] from "Global Rhythm" magazine, August 2008

News articles

* [http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/09/ta.dingding/index.html "Sa Dingding: China's New Age chanteuse"] "CNN"
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/made-in-china-the-singer-poised-to-sweep-the-globe-803547.html "Made in China: the singer poised to sweep the globe"] "The Independent"
* [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3805225.ece Sa Ding Ding, the Asian Bjork.] "The Times"
* [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2268360,00.html "The Guardian", Friday March 28, 2008]
* [http://www.universalmusicworld.jp/sa_ding_ding/bio.html Biography from Universal Music]
* [http://www.bangkokpost.com/230508_Realtime/23May2008_real002.php]
* [http://music.news.livedoor.com/person/biography?person_code=461925]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/07/20/st_sadingding.xml]
* [http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6624/1/]