Khalil Fong, the Hong Kong-based singer-songwriter, died on February 21, 2025, at age 41 after fighting an illness for five years. His record label FU Music announced his death on February 25.
“With unwavering optimism in the face of a relentless illness for five years, Khalil Fong gently and gracefully bid farewell to this world on the morning of February 21, 2025,” the company stated on Weibo.
The label did not name the cause of death. Reports indicated Fong had suffered from pneumothorax (collapsed lung) since 2010.
Fong was born on July 14, 1983, in Kauai, Hawaii. He grew up in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and settled in Hong Kong in 1997.
He signed with Warner Music Group and released his debut album “Soulboy” in 2005. This album introduced Chinese audiences to a blend of R&B and soul with Chinese-language lyrics.
Fong gained fame for bringing R&B and soul to the Chinese music market. His style drew from artists like Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. Many compared him to David Tao and Jay Chou.
His discography includes successful albums “This Love” (2006), “Orange Moon” (2008), and “Timeless” (2009). His hit songs included “Red Bean,” “This Love,” and “Special Person.”
In 2008, Fong won four awards at the Commercial Radio Hong Kong Ultimate Song Chart Awards, including best male singer. At Taiwan’s 2017 Golden Melody Awards, he won Best Male Vocalist – Mandarin for his album “Journey to the West.”
Fong’s health problems began in 2016 after releasing “Journey to the West,” forcing him to reduce his music work. Despite his illness, he continued creating music and graphic novels.
He released “The Dreamer” in 2024 while dealing with his illness. During an October 2024 interview, Fong said his condition changed his breathing, preventing him from performing.
His final public update appeared on social media on February 13, 2025, days before his death.
FU Music’s statement said, “The music and graphic novels he gifted to the world remain an eternal testament to his luminous spirit.”
Fong also wrote songs and produced for other artists, including Eason Chan, A-mei, and Fiona Sit.
