This rather unique project contains six pieces of rap lyrics – a less prevalent literary form – meticulously written for submission.

This (half of a) rap collection, Hong Kong Daze, summarises my personal observations and reflections of the city since my late childhood. Some of them reinterpret my memories and the past, while others are open observations of the conflicting occurrences in our dazzling metropolis. The longest of these lyrics, Need for Sleep, is an introspective look at one of our most common struggles in life while evoking the senses and feelings of a delusional, hallucinating person in that half-conscious state of being prior to rest. It starts with purely random, whimsical and satirical musings, but the song slowly spins into philosophical reflections of life associated with other connotations of sleep, such as the confusion of time zones and spatial dimensions, dreams and goals, existential crisis, death, and artistic escapades…encapsulating what actually happens before sleep slowly arrives to relieve ourselves.

For 15 years I have called the city my home. I find it necessary to contemplate the relationship between myself and the place where I grew up in, as any writer ought to do. Rap is an intellectually challenging literary form that allows me to engage readers while introducing my own ideas and initiating their discussion. Like its rhymes and themes, one may feel free to break limits, or simply feel refreshed in coming up with creative alterations – thinking outside the box – within the given limits. It is therefore my hope that my lyrics invites readers (or rather, listeners) to remain observant to minute details and “read between the lines”, and maintain an open mind in the society we live in.

Throughout my studies and while compiling Hong Kong Daze, I had a lot to think about creatively and critically. Even though Covid-19 has rather severely interrupted my ambitions here, learning and thinking about the different perspectives of countless writers, genres, and situations has been most beneficial and fruitful for me, and I am definitely excited and passionate about the art of lyricism that I taught myself. I look forward to promoting this genre in the future in my career or in other opportunities I may encounter.

I would also like to thank both presiding  professors (Dr Suzanne Wong & Prof. Eli Park Sorensen) at my presentation and Prof. Li Ou for inspiring countless thoughts on my journey of discovery in respective classes in addition to being knowledgeable as well as some of the most pleasant professors I have met in the Chinese University of Hong Kong.