Sonam Wangchen - Bhutan’s Favorite Singer

Sonam Wangchen is one of Bhutan’s youngest and most popular singers. He was Born in February, 2002. He sings mostly in Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language. His 2015 song, "choe thom da", was a super-hit, propelling him into the limelight. Since then, Sonam has written numerous hits, performed at national events and charitable concerts, and worked on original soundtracks for movies.

Sonam is beloved by Bhutan’s younger population. He takes every opportunity to encourage children and teens to study, believe in themselves and follow their dreams. In his role as UNICEF Youth Ambassador, Sonam will use his singing, his popularity, and his large social media following to engage with young people and empower them to speak about the issues they face.

https://www.humansofthimphu.com/stories/sonam-wangchen

“I used to sing before I even started school. My mother once recorded me singing ‘charo, charo’. She’d always play the video and marvel at my voice. I soaked in her praise and continued singing, gradually improving my vocal skills. Living in Thimphu, I got a few opportunities. My debut song came out, followed by a song that became pretty huge – ‘Gang Ghi Khaw’. When my songs received overwhelming love from people, I felt like music really must be for me. I used to sing with my friends, but as we went to different schools and my voice changed with puberty, I decided to go solo. I didn’t have proper musical guidance. When I started as an amateur singing with co-artists, we’d often sing on the same scale and our voices would be indistinguishable. But even with the lack of a proper platform, my parents were always supportive. And that’s how I’ve made it this far.

As a musician, I’ve had a few highlights. One is having a song featured in a film by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, and performing at a private screening for the film in Delhi. I also received invitations to places like New York. But I was in school and didn’t go. Now that I’ve finished high school, the pandemic has made opportunities like that scarce. I sometimes wish I’d taken them when they’d come. But I know why I didn’t. A musical career has limited scope here. I’m always trying to find new ways to sustain myself as a musician.

Yeshi Lhendup Films

We have immense musical talent here, we just need to be more creative. There are so many competitive, driven, and unique new artists. My style of songwriting and singing is also different. It all depends on our sources of inspiration. There are struggles such as copyright infringements. But a career in what you love is worth it. I advise all aspiring artists to have determination if they truly want to make this their career.

We all need support, and the audience is immensely important to artists like me. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me and loved my music, within Bhutan and around the world.”

Yeshi Lhendup Films

Sonam Wangchen's musical journey hasn't been limited to Bhutan alone. His talent and passion have taken him to various international stages and festivals, where he has shared the beauty of Bhutanese music with the world. His performances have been celebrated not only for their artistry but also for their ability to bridge cultural gaps and foster cross-cultural understanding.

In addition to his live performances, Wangchen has also ventured into recording music, making his songs accessible to a global audience. This step has not only expanded his reach but has also given him the opportunity to collaborate with artists from different corners of the world, further enriching his musical repertoire.