Sophia Chang (born 1965) is a Canadian-Korean music director, producer, manager, TV producer and author. Recognized as the first Asian woman in hip hop, Chang managed A Tribe Called Quest, Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip, and members of Wu-Tang Clan such as RZA, GZA, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Sophia Chang was born in Vancouver, Canada to Korean parents in 1965. [1] [8] Her father was a mathematician and her mother, a librarian. [9] She has one older brother, Heesok Chang. [8] [9] [10] Chang received her Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia in French literature. [9]
After graduating from the University of British Columbia, Sophia Chang moved to New York City to start her career in the music industry in the late 1980s. She worked with Paul Simon in the early days of her career. [11] She then worked at Jive Records where she first met RZA. [1] While at Jive, Chang signed Fu-Schnickens, members of Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, and worked with artists A Tribe Called Quest, UGK, and E-40. She later became the manager of RZA's label Razor Sharp Records. [5] At Razor Sharp, Chang worked with Ghostface Killah for his debut album, Ironman. In addition to managing RZA and Razor Sharp Records, Chang also managed A Tribe Called Quest, Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip, and members of Wu-Tang Clan such as RZA, GZA, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. [5] She produced the first season of Project Runway All Stars.
From 1995 to 2007, Chang was the manager of the USA Shaolin Temple in New York City and her then-partner Shi Yan Ming. [12] [13]
The USA Shaolin Temple is a martial arts and cultural center that teaches the philosophy and practices of Shaolin Kung Fu, as well as Chinese language, calligraphy, and music. The temple also hosts cultural events and performances, as well as offering classes and workshops to the public. [13]
As the manager of the USA Shaolin Temple in New York City, Sophia Chang was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the temple, as well as managing its events and programs. Chang's role as manager involved working closely with the founder of the USA Shaolin Temple, Shi Yan Ming, also her partner at the time, to develop and promote the temple's programs and events, as well as managing its staff and finances. [13]
In September 2020, Chang published her memoir, The Baddest Bitch in the Room, [14] which was released in print and by Audible in partnership with Reese Witherspoon’s media brand, Hello Sunshine. [15] [16] The memoir details Chang's experiences in the music industry, managing Wu-Tang Clan, and her personal life. The book won the Wavy 2021 Best Book Award. [14]
In September 2020, Chang launched the Unlock Her Potential [17] mentorship program for Women of color. [2] The program aims to provide mentorship and networking opportunities for women in the entertainment industry. In the first two years of the program, Chang recruited entertainment industry mentors such as Mona Scott-Young, Andre Royo, RZA, Jim Jarmusch, Bao Nguyen, 9th Wonder, Joey Bada$$, Ebro Darden, Michael Mann, W. Kamau Bell, Michael Ostin, and Pamela Adlon. [2] [3]
Chang has two children with her ex-partner, Shi Yan Ming. [4] [12] [18]
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