Inclusive Media Initiative Creator Q&A: Chloe Tang
Pixability’s Inclusive Media Initiative amplifies the voices of diverse creators, fostering representation and connection across digital media. By showcasing YouTube creators from varied backgrounds and identities, we aim to challenge stereotypes and celebrate inclusivity.
In honor of the last day of Lunar New Year (called the Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie in Mandarin Chinese) we are honored to introduce Chloe Tang.
What happens during the Lantern Festival?
- People light lanterns throughout the streets
- Children carry lanterns around the neighborhood at night
- People write poems and riddles to share
- People eat traditional foods like tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), fagao (prosperity cake), and yusheng (raw fish and vegetable salad)
Why is it called the Lantern Festival?
- Yuan means beginning, and xiao means night
- The festival marks the end of the weeks-long Lunar New Year preparations and celebrations
Chloe Tang is a rising star in the music industry and a shining example of the diverse talent that IMI is proud to support. We are thrilled to announce the release of her highly anticipated new single, “Inspiration”.
Chloe’s music is a unique blend of genres, cultures, and experiences. Her sound is a testament to the power of diversity and the importance of giving voice to underrepresented artists.
Theresa: Are there specific cultural elements or traditions that inspire your music and YouTube content?
Chloe: It’s funny because on the surface I don’t think there is an obvious answer to this for me. Growing up in the US as a Chinese American allowed me to pick and choose which elements I wanted to adopt from each culture, which was such a privilege. My music is very driven by self confidence, emotional awareness, and personal growth. These are all things I strive for because of how I was raised. I got my work ethic from my family but my conviction from my American idols. My kindness and strength from my parents but my relationship with my feelings from being exposed to therapy (which is much more common in America). Although some of my content may seem surface level (for laughs or pure entertainment), everything I create has a purpose. Everything I post has a message and it all comes from a place deep inside me that was developed through both cultures.
Theresa: What message do you hope to share with other AAPI creators or young people who look up to you?
Chloe: The message I try to convey through everything I do is that passion comes first. It may feel unnatural to take risks with your life because of what you’ve been told about what life is supposed to look like but if you lead with passion, everything else will fall into place.
Theresa: What role does your YouTube channel play in building your community and showcasing your creative process?
Chloe: For me, YouTube is a place where all my biggest visual projects go. It’s where my music videos, visualizers and interviews live. It’s pretty common for some artists to hand over creative control when it comes to visual aspects of their art because they would prefer to stick to making music but for me, visuals is where I have the freedom to explore and go crazy with ideas. YouTube is such an amazing space to give my audience a visual perspective on my music. I’ve done song breakdowns, acoustic live sessions, behind the scenes montages, and even vlogs to give listeners an opportunity to see what kind of work goes into being an artist.
Theresa: Congratulations on your new release! What was the creative process like for this release?
Chloe: This one was so fun to build a world around because it is such a fun, flirty, sexy song and there were so many possibilities when it came to visuals for the rollout. I initially heard the beat from Luis (Najera) and immediately fell in love with the early 2000s guitar. Then Tima (Dee) and I started this topline knowing we wanted it to be light hearted and take it in a pretty traditional pop r&b direction. Once the song was finished I had a pretty specific vision for the visuals. I loved the idea of using a house that reminded me of my grandparent’s house growing up because it felt so nostalgic and reminded me of a time when I was listening to Jojo and Avril Lavigne. By styling it in a modern way I think we really accomplished the goal of making the sound and visuals feel like an updated version of something familiar to everyone.
Theresa: Does this album incorporate themes or stories tied to your personal experiences or cultural identity?
Chloe: This song definitely reflects real experiences I’ve had many times. The song is a reminder to me that inspiration can come from many different places and experiences-no matter how big or small they may seem. As a creative, the worst feeling is not being able to activate your creativity and oftentimes I have to find new ways to do so. Not every song has to be about a 3 year long relationship that ended..it can be about someone you met once or even a stranger. We have to remember people don’t listen to music because it states facts. They listen because they want a unique perspective. This song will always be a reminder of that.
Theresa: What advice would you give to aspiring artists and content creators who want to share their stories authentically?
Chloe: I would tell them to focus more on the people they will reach than the people who won’t care. The reality is that being in the spotlight isn’t about people liking you- it’s about building a community of people who think like you do..so if you’re trying to cast a huge net to gain followers who don’t care that much, your purpose becomes lost. I have a hard time with this because I grew up having “people pleaser” tendencies. It’s hard for me to accept that I can’t have everyone’s approval but I have to remember that’s not the goal anyway.
To learn more about Pixability’s Inclusive Media Initiative, or to sign up, see below.