This is MC is a studio album by Hong Kong singer MC Cheung, released by Warner Music Hong Kong in January 2023. The album reached the number one spot on the Hong Kong Record Merchants Association weekly album chart. It features three chart-topping singles, "Caution Wet Floor", "A Gentleman's Guide to Old-Fashioned Dating", and "The One For U". To accommodate the album's release, Cheung held a three-day live concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
Background and release
Following the release of his debut EP in December 2021, MC Cheung proceeded to unveil a series of standalone singles throughout 2022, all of which were subsequently incorporated into the album alongside other new songs. This is MC was digitally released on January 20, 2023, with the physical album following on March 15, 2023.[1][2] The album is said to highlight Cheung's exploration of new experiments, diverse themes, musical styles, and visuals.[3]
Singles and composition
"Caution Wet Floor" is a rock-oriented song that explores the theme of karma, tracing the transformation of a kind-hearted individual who, faced with unjust consequences, undergoes a dark evolution filled with resentment. Cheung deliberately executed the song with "a contrasting and intense mood", particularly towards the end, to amplify the detestable tone inherent in the lyrics.[4] The lyrics, penned by Wyman Wong, draw inspiration from the anger-driven rock music and Wong's personal life disappointments. Despite the words carrying a sense of raging anger, Wong revealed that the initial inspiration for the title "Caution Wet Floor" stemmed from a vision of two individuals skating together, sharing a sweet moment. The term "floor" in the lyrics represents the numerous life traps, cautioning against the ubiquitous challenges and hidden dangers.[5] The song peaked at number one on the Hong Kong Songs chart.[6]
"A Gentleman's Guide to Old-Fashioned Dating" is an attempt to blend R&B and traditional Chinese sounds. During a collaborative songwriting session with Goo Chan, Cheung stumbled upon his demo, leading them to complete the song together. Its concept involves incorporating elements of "time travel" and introducing traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng in the chorus to enhance the song's depth. The lyrics align with this concept, depicting a bittersweet love story that transitions between the "modern" era before the chorus and shifts into the "ancient" era during the chorus. Also written by Wyman Wong, the lyrics draw inspiration from a prose piece by the late Taiwanese author Weijing Li.[7][8] The song also peaked atop the Hong Kong Songs.[9]
"Overkill" is characterized as an EDM track infused with a K-pop-influenced flavor, featuring rhythmic beats and sharp synths. The lyrics are highlighted by phrases like "Going non stop / Every time the beat drops / Going non stop / I can hear no pin drops". The music video presents Cheung as a character of both righteousness and wickedness, demonstrating his dancing skills for the first time.[10][11]
"The One For U" is described as a R&B track,[12] with an additional duet version featuring Kiri.[3] With Wyman Wong serving as the lyricist for the third time, the song expresses a deep and devoted love, emphasizing the importance of being the number one in someone's heart and the joy of having that special person by your side.[13] The original version reached the top position at number one[14] while the duet version peaked at number 12 on Hong Kong Songs chart.[15] Its music video also topped YouTube Hong Kong's year-end list.[16]
Promotion and reception
The album peaked at number one on Hong Kong Record Merchants Association weekly "Best-selling albums" chart, maintaining a position in the Top Ten for eight weeks.[17][18] To accommodate the album release, Cheung held three consecutive sold-out live concerts titled This is MC at the Hong Kong Coliseum on January 20–22, 2023.[19][20]
^ ab林得懿 (16 March 2023). "MC張天賦為新碟激罕露臂 出道3年繼續朝音樂創作人進發" [After three years since his debut, MC Cheung continues to strive towards becoming a music creator, showcasing his rare sleeveless look for his new album]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
^陳芷穎 (14 April 2022). "MC張天賦首度跟黃偉文合作 新歌唱出因果報應：最最最難唱嘅一首" [MC Cheung showcases his talent by collaborating with Wyman Wong for the first time; The new song sings about karma and its consequences; The most difficult song to sing]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
^劉傳謙 (15 April 2022). "小心地滑｜黃偉文用歌詞談因果報應 珍藏歌名原來出自甜蜜橋段？" ["Caution Wet Floor" Wyman Wong discusses karma through the lyrics – the cherished song title originally inspired by a sweet scene?]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
^關穎賢 (21 July 2022). "MC張天賦挑戰港式中國風 新歌《老派約會之必要》MV兩造型成焦點" [MC Cheung takes on the challenge of creating a Hong Kong style R&B song, with the music video featuring two distinctive looks that steal the spotlight]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
^關穎賢 (16 August 2022). "樂壇核數師｜MC新歌撼低MIRROR Beyoncé強勢回歸帶起復古熱潮" [Music Industry Auditor: MC's new song shakes the music scene, Beyoncé's strong comeback sparks a retro trend]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
^"張天賦拍新歌MV扭傷腳 自言性格all in or nothing幾喪 (16:43)" [MC Cheung injured his foot while filming the music video for his new song. He described his personality as "all in or nothing"]. Ming Pao (in Traditional Chinese). 27 November 2022. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
^"MC張天賦推出冧爆新歌《世一》 搵華納新女Nancy拍校園MV" [MC Cheung releases his new song "The One For U" and collaborates with Warner's new female artist, Nancy, for a school-themed music video]. AM730 (in Traditional Chinese). 20 January 2023. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
^林綸詩 (8 June 2023). "現代歌名詮釋大全：為何「全死角」、「世一」又是什麼？｜林綸詩" [Comprehensive Interpretation of Modern Song Titles: What are the meanings behind some of the recent songs]. HK01 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
^"YouTube十大排行榜︱鄭裕玲人氣奪冠 張天賦《世一》MV登頂" [YouTube Top 10 Chart: Dodo Cheng Wins Popularity, MC Cheung's "The One For U" MV Tops the list]. Ming Pao (in Traditional Chinese). 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
"Made In Hong Kong Episode 879521". Made in Hong Kong (in Chinese). 28 April 2023. 29 minutes in. RTHK. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
^faichung (24 January 2023). "現場直擊／MC 張天賦「This is MC」：由街頭到演出殿堂 重新定義「MC」" [Live Coverage: MC Cheung Tin Fu 'This is MC': Redefining 'MC' from the Streets to the Performance Hall]. KKBox (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
