Tanya Chua Is Taking Her Unadulterated Identity To New Heights

It has taken rejection, failure and a leap of faith into a new city for Tanya Chua to be comfortable with her own success. Today, she is taking her unadulterated identity to new heights.

- Lynette Kee 

Morning comes around and I can’t wait to see my sunny island,” the Singaporean musician Tanya Chua sings at the beginning of “Where I Belong,” a sprightly lilt that easily evokes a nostalgic sense of pride and belonging in most Singaporeans. It was at the 2001 Singapore National Day Parade when Chua, together with a redand-white-clad audience, belted out the words, “where I belong / where I keep my heart and soul / where dreams come true for us.” Written and composed by Chua almost two decades ago, the song was a rousing tribute to the modern state of Singapore, which, despite being in its infancy, had become one of the most prosperous nations in the world.

In the official music video, the camera follows a pensive young Chua as she rides in a taxi out of the Singapore Changi airport, before scenes of the metropolis start to unfold. The images translated are not the typical glossy skyline but intimate glimpses into humble everyday life on the island — the school bus, neighbourhood strays, colourful high-rise buildings and provision shops. Without the need for swelling orchestral undertones, the song manages to exact an emotional response, and channelled a sense of unity among Singaporeans. Not surprisingly, it became a de facto anthem shortly after its release and still stands as one of the most iconic national theme songs today.