Benjamin Kheng
Benjamin Kheng | |
---|---|
金文明 | |
![]() | |
Born | Benjamin Kheng Wen Ming 15 August 1990 |
Education | Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) Singapore Sports School Republic Polytechnic |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2012–present |
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1] |
Spouse | Naomi Yeo (married 2021 - present) |
Relatives | Narelle Kheng (sister) |
Musical career | |
Genres | Indie pop |
Labels | Sony Music Singapore |
Website | thesamwillows |
Benjamin Kheng Wen Ming (born 15 August 1990) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, and former national swimmer.[2][3] Kheng made his music debut with the Singaporean band The Sam Willows, which debuted in 2012.[4][5][6]
Early life and education
[edit]Kheng was a former national youth swimmer,[7] having trained since he was 6. He attended Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore Sports School[8] and has a diploma in Arts and Theatre Management from Republic Polytechnic.
Career
[edit]Kheng is the keyboardist, rhythm guitarist and vocalist for The Sam Willows. After announcing their hiatus in May 2019, he has since pursued his solo career.[9]
Besides music, Kheng co-created “The BenZi Project,” an online comedy sketch series on YouTube with Singaporean YouTuber Hirzi Zulkiflie.[10][11]
Kheng is an advocate for youth and social causes, Benjamin has also been invited to speak at TEDxYouth to share his experience in overcoming depression and anxiety disorder with synesthesia.[1]
In August 2021, Kheng collaborated with a virtual influencer, Rae; writing the song they sang together, Worlds.[12]
In 2024, Kheng was chosen to sing the theme song for Singapore's National Day Parade, "Not Alone," which he also wrote the lyrics for. He was joined by members of the Music and Drama Company.
Personal life
[edit]Kheng has a younger sister, Narelle Kheng, who is also part of The Sam Willows.[13][14][15] He is married to Singaporean model and 987FM host, Naomi Yeo.[16]
Filmography
[edit]Movies
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Young & Fabulous 最佳伙扮 | Jay Lee | [17] | |
2017 | Wonder Boy 音为爱 | Richard Dick Lee | [18] |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Unnatural | Jake | Season 3 Episode 2 | [19] |
2014 | Mata Mata | Ringo | [19] | |
2014 | Code of Law 2 | Benji | [19] | |
2015 | Love is Love - Fat Hope | Pete | [1] | |
2016 | The Breakup List | Luke | [1] | |
2017 | TrendSetters | Ken Beng | [1] | |
2018 | FAM | Jayden Tan | [1] | |
2019 | The Intruder | Adam | [1] | |
2019 | After Love | Ryan | [1] |
Variety
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Do It Yourself | Himself | A magazine infotainment variety show and a mockumentary sitcom | [20] |
Theater
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Ah Boys to Men: The Musical | Ken Chow | [19] |
2015 | The Emperor's New Clothes | Tailor #2 | [21][22] |
Discography
[edit]Extended plays
[edit]- A Sea That Never Stops (2020)[23]
Singles
[edit]Year | Title | Format | Album | Other notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | "Wicked"[24][25] | Digital download, streaming | A Sea That Never Stops | Solo debut |
2020 | "Find Me"[26] | |||
"Lovers Forever"[27] | ||||
"Make Do" | ||||
2021 | "Fresh Feelings" | Digital download, streaming | ||
Baby Mama | Digital download, streaming | |||
2022 | Good For A Time (feat. Bea Lorenzo) | Digital download, streaming | ||
Panadalian / Good For A Time (feat. Bea Lorenzo) | Digital download, streaming | |||
2023 | Rock Bottom Blues | Digital download, streaming | Gloomy Boogie Vol. 1 | |
Shared Trauma (feat. Keenan Te) | Digital download, streaming | |||
2024 | Not Alone | Digital download, streaming |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "BENJAMIN KHENG 金文明". fly.com.sg. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
- ^ "Sam Willows singer Benjamin Kheng apologises for offensive pose in magazine". straitstimes.com. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ "Singapore 'not that crazy rich', says The Sam Willows' Benjamin Kheng". asiaone.com. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Meet the weeping Sam Willows". tnp.sg. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- ^ "MTV ASKS: THE SAM WILLOWS OPEN UP ABOUT THEIR EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP + ANSWER BURNING FAN QUESTIONS". mtvasia.com. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Home-grown pop quartet The Sam Willows' second album a result of 'confusing' times". straitstimes.com. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ "10 Narelle Kheng Facts That'll Make You Fall In Love With Her". mustsharenews.com. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ^ "Personal life". Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "The Sam Willows Are Taking A Break: "I Wish I Had More Drama For You But We're All Still Good Friends"". 8 Days. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^ "How Benjamin Kheng And Hirzi Made The Smartest & Funniest Show On The Internet". 8days.sg. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Singapore's Most Talked-About Siblings - Benjamin and Narelle Kheng". magzter.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "SG singer Benjamin Kheng collaborates with virtual influencer Rae for music video". www.marketing-interactive.com. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ "5 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Benjamin & Narelle Kheng". 8days.sg. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ^ "HERE'S WHY THE KHENG BROTHER-SISTER DUO HAVE A STRONG, UNBREAKABLE SIBLING BOND". herworld.com. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ "WATCH: BENJAMIN AND NARELLE KHENG ON WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE THEMSELVES". herworld.com. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "Benjamin Kheng on Instagram: ""YES." "will— i think i need to ask the question first." * squats down * "you're not gonna stand? ah okay." … (long nervous love ramble…"". Instagram. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^ "Young & Fabulous is S'pore's first cosplay-themed film". todayonline.com. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "Benjamin Kheng to play music personality Dick Lee in new film Wonder Boy". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Exclusive Interview With Benjamin Kheng". bloom.com.sg. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
- ^ Seah, May (29 August 2014). "My awkward moment: Benjamin Kheng". TODAY. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "The Emperor's New Clothes pantomime has audience in stitches". straitstimes.com. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- ^ "Review: The Emperor's New Clothes". youth.sg. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ "Benjamin Kheng - Make Do (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "Kheng goes solo with his debut single "Wicked"". buro247.sg. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ "Benjamin Kheng releases debut solo single 'Wicked'". bandwagon.asia. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ Davies, Hayden (28 February 2020). "Introducing Singapore's Benjamin Kheng, who makes swirling R&B with Find Me". Pile Rats. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
- ^ "Benjamin Kheng on Instagram: "𝑳 𝑶 𝑽 𝑬 𝑹 𝑺 𝑭 𝑶 𝑹 𝑬 𝑽 �� 𝑹 🚀 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 12AM on all streaming platforms (LINK IN BIO)"". Instagram. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
External links
[edit]![](http://178.128.105.246/content-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website at The Sam Willows Band
- Official website at Fly Entertainment
- Benjamin Kheng at IMDb
- Benjamin Kheng on Instagram
- Benjamin Kheng on X
- Benjamin Kheng on Facebook
- Benjamin Kheng on TikTok
- Benjamin Kheng's Official Fan Club on Instagram
- 1990 births
- Living people
- Singaporean male actors
- Singaporean jazz musicians
- 21st-century Singaporean male singers
- Singaporean pop singers
- Singaporean singer-songwriters
- Singaporean male singer-songwriters
- Singaporean Hokkien pop singers
- Jazz guitarists
- Jazz pianists
- Jazz fusion musicians
- Jazz bandleaders
- Male jazz pianists
- 21st-century pianists
- 21st-century guitarists
- 21st-century Singaporean male actors
- Male jazz musicians
- The Sam Willows members