We’re always adding to our playlists and soundtracks of our lives. This month’s cover of Athleisure Mag is Sơn Tùng M-TP who is a singer/songwriter, actor, and is the King of V-Pop. He recently launched his latest single, Come My Way with trap artist Tyga (Rack City, Ayo, Taste). This song blends Pop Rap, Afrobeats, and Amapiano with traditional Vietnamese folk music which makes it all its own!
We sat down with Sơn Tùng M-TP to talk about being an artist, where he looks for inspiration, his sound, and V-Pop’s landscape.
ATHLEISURE MAG: You are a singer/songwriter and actor. When did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?
SON TUNG M-TP: I think it started when I was around 13. I got really into underground rap and hip-hop, and I would spend hours on YouTube listening to beats and just making up melodies and lyrics for fun. I wasn’t thinking about becoming an artist back then—I just genuinely loved doing it.
When I was in 11th grade, I asked my mom to buy me a computer so I could start recording my songs, but she was afraid I would slack off on my studies so she didn’t buy it no matter how many times I begged (laughs). My uncle eventually bought me an old desktop PC instead. It was slow, noisy, and about as basic as it could get, but to me, it was everything. That’s where I recorded my very first songs. They were rough and pretty naive, but that was the moment everything became real for me. Once I started creating my own music, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
AM: What is the music scene like in Vietnam?
ST M-TP: I think Vietnamese music is in a really fun place right now. There are so many talented artists with their own sound, and everyone’s pushing things in different directions. That’s exciting to see.
For me, the most important thing is staying true to who you are. I’ve been doing this for over 13 years, and I’ve learned that trends come and go, but your identity is what lasts. The more authentic we are as artists, the more people will connect with our music, no matter where we come from.
AM: Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to creating your music?
ST M-TP: Honestly, inspiration can come from anything. It doesn’t always have to be something I’ve personally been through. Sometimes I’ll hear someone else’s story and it’ll really stay with me. Other times, it’s just my imagination. I’ll start picturing myself in a certain situation, thinking about how I’d feel, and that’s where a melody or a lyric starts.
I think I just naturally imagine a lot. Even random little moments can inspire me. I could eat something really good and suddenly hear a melody in my head. The other day, I was just sitting in the waiting room on set, drinking a typical Vietnamese iced coffee while waiting for the next setup, and a melody popped into my head out of nowhere. That’s kind of how it works for me. You never really know when an idea is going to show up.
AM: How do you define the Sơn Tùng M-TP sound?
ST M-TP: I don’t think I could define my sound in one sentence, because it keeps changing. Every stage of my life comes with different music that I’m drawn to, and I like giving myself the freedom to explore. I don’t really put limits on genres.
For me, it’s actually pretty simple. If a song moves me, if I think it’s good, then I want to share it with people. I don’t really stop and think, “Does this sound like Sơn Tùng M-TP?” I just follow what feels right at that moment. I guess I’ll leave it to the listeners to define my sound.
AM: You’re known for reshaping the V-Pop landscape through your sound, creative vision and international appeal. What does it mean to you to be one of the most influential figures in your genre!
ST M-TP: It’s honestly a little overwhelming to hear that. I don’t really see myself that way. I just make the kind of music I love and keep challenging myself with everyday.
If my journey gives another young artist in Vietnam a little more confidence to chase their own dream, then that means a lot to me. That’s probably the biggest compliment I could ask for.
AM: You have released 33 songs and built quite a catalog as well as collaborating with artists such as Snoop Dogg - what is your process when it comes to creating your music?
ST M-TP: Everything starts with a feeling, not a plan. Sometimes I’ll sit with an idea for weeks before I record anything. I never want to rush a song just because it’s finished. I’d rather wait until it really feels right.
Looking back, working with Snoop Dogg was one of the biggest moments in my journey and really changed the way I thought about everything. Seeing how people connected with that song made me start asking myself, “What if my music could reach even more people around the world?”
That question stayed with me for a long time. Eventually, I realized I didn’t want it to stay a question anymore. I wanted to find the answer, and that’s really what led me to where I am today.
AM: We’ve been enjoying the song and video of Come My Way. Can you tell us a bit of background about the song, why you wanted to blend Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop together?
ST M-TP: Come My Way wasn’t built around the idea of mixing genres. It was really about following what felt right to me.
People describe it as Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop, but I don’t really think about it that way. I don’t think V-Pop is a sound you can add to a song. It’s something you carry with you. The moment I write a melody and sing it in my own way, that’s already my identity.
As for Afrobeats, I fell in love with it because of the feeling of freedom and the energy it gives me. At the same time, there’s something about the melodies and the way people sing that reminds me of the Quan họ folk songs I grew up hearing as a kid in Northern Vietnam. Those are two completely different worlds, but somehow they connect emotionally for me. Come My Way is really just all of those feelings coming together naturally.
AM: How did Tyga become part of this song?
ST M-TP: Tyga and I have known each other for quite a while, and we’ve talked about making music together more than once. This year, everything finally lined up, and it just felt like the right time.
What made it even more meaningful is that he has Vietnamese roots. I think that gave the collaboration an extra layer of meaning for both of us. It wasn’t just about putting two artists on the same track. It felt like we shared something beyond the music, and I think that made the whole collaboration feel really natural.
AM: The video is amazing! Why did you want to approach it in this way?
ST M-TP: I wanted the video to feel like two worlds coming together. You have the energy of Los Angeles, but at the same time, you keep seeing pieces of Vietnam all the way through it.
We added things that are really close to me, like the Chim Lạc, the jade water buffalo, the Xuân Phả folk masks, and the landscapes of Tràng An. Even a lot of my outfits were designed with Vietnamese-inspired materials and details. One of my favorite moments is seeing the Chim Lạc parked right next to the DeLorean DMC, with Tyga and me standing there. I just thought it was a really cool image—almost like we each showed up in our own cultural icon.
Since the song is in English, I wanted the visuals to do the talking. Hopefully people watch the video, enjoy the music, and at the same time get curious about Vietnam because there’s so much beauty there.
AM: Tell us about your upcoming tour and what we can expect!
ST M-TP: I’m not really the type to talk much before doing something. What I can say is that I’m pushing myself in ways I have never before, and I think people are going to see a different version of me. Beyond that... you’ll have to wait and see. I’d rather let the stage and the music do the talking.
AM: When you’re not creating your music, how do you take time for yourself?
ST M-TP: My life is pretty simple. I think people expect me to have some crazy answer, but I actually enjoy really normal things.
Most mornings, I’ll go for a drive, grab a bánh mì and a Vietnamese iced coffee, then sit in the park with my dog, Chiko, and just enjoy the quiet. Later I’ll hit the gym or go for a run, and at night I’ll usually watch a good movie before going to bed.
That’s honestly enough for me. Those quiet moments really help me slow down and recharge before I start creating again.
AM: What are 3 workouts that you do to stay in shape?
ST M-TP: Lately, I’ve been challenging myself with pull-ups. They look a lot easier than they actually are. (laughs). I’m pretty proud that I can do around 10 in a row now with good form, but I’m still trying to get better.
I also spend a lot of time strength training, especially my upper body, because it makes me look good in tank tops (laughs).
And running has become a big part of my routine. I used to struggle to run for even 15 minutes. Now I can run for about 45 minutes straight without stopping, so that’s something I’m really happy about.
IG @sontungmtp
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Son Tung M-TP
Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see SON TUNG M-TP | TOP OF V-POP in mag.
