Kate Yong, better known by her stage name TINC, is more than a DJ. A singer-songwriter since the age of 14, she has evolved into a vocalist, music producer and live performer, combining these different disciplines to create an experience that goes beyond the conventional DJ set.
From becoming the first DJ to perform at Singapore’s National Day Parade to taking her music internationally, Kate has built a career around embracing what makes her different. Today, as a single mother, entrepreneur and founder of TINC DJ Academy, she hopes to nurture the next generation of DJs while showing her son that ambition and parenthood do not have to be opposing choices.
You are not only a DJ, but also a vocalist, songwriter and music producer. How does bringing these different elements together allow you to create a more distinctive live experience?
I actually started my career at 14 as a singer-songwriter before becoming a DJ at 19, so singing and storytelling have always been at the heart of what I do.
I don’t perform like a typical DJ who simply plays one track after another. I incorporate live vocals over my own productions and remixes, reinterpret familiar songs, and move between different styles of music in ways that reflect both my background and the audience in front of me.
Combining singing and DJing allows me to build a show with a stronger emotional journey. At one moment, the audience might be dancing, and at another, they might be singing along.
People don’t just come to hear a DJ set; they experience a performance that combines DJing, live vocals, original music and storytelling. That combination is still relatively uncommon within the DJ space, and I believe it has helped me develop a distinctive identity both in Singapore and internationally.
You became the first DJ to perform at Singapore’s National Day Parade. What did it mean to represent Singapore on such a significant national stage?
It was an incredible honour because National Day is one of Singapore’s most significant events, watched by millions across the country.
Being the official DJ was especially meaningful because DJs had not traditionally been represented so prominently at the parade. It showed that DJing and electronic music were increasingly being recognised as serious forms of live performance.
I felt I was representing not only myself, but also Singapore’s growing electronic music community. It was one of the strongest acknowledgements of my career and gave me greater confidence to continue developing my artistic identity.
You have performed both in Singapore and internationally. What have been some of your most memorable performances or career milestones so far?
The National Day Parade will always be one of my most meaningful milestones because I felt I was representing other Singapore DJs as well. Another was being selected as the closing act for a major Marina Bay countdown alongside artists such as Adam Lambert and Wang Leehom.
It showed that DJs are no longer confined to clubs but can play significant roles at major televised events.
Performing internationally in places such as Valencia, Chicago and New York has also shown me how music crosses language and cultural boundaries.
Creating my own original shows has been another major step. By combining live vocals, original music, remixes, production and creative direction, I can create a complete artistic experience rather than simply being seen as a DJ.
If you had the opportunity to perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
That’s a difficult question! As a singer and live performer, I would love to write and sing with Rosé from BLACKPINK. I think she’s an amazing singer-songwriter who has broken through her own boundaries.
Within electronic music, I would love to work with Armin van Buuren. I admire his longevity and what he has achieved in the industry.
Both are artists I respect, and I would love the opportunity to perform or create something with them one day.
You have also established your own DJ studio and academy. What can someone expect when they learn from you, whether they want to become a professional DJ or simply experience DJing for themselves?
I established TINC DJ Academy to create the kind of environment I wish I had when I started — a welcoming space without politics, where people learn not only the equipment but also how to think and perform like an artist.
Beginners learn how DJs listen to music, understand song structure and create transitions. For those pursuing DJing professionally, we go deeper into musical identity, techniques, programming and stage presence.
Today, we welcome around 30 to 50 new students each month, with about 10 DJs developing under our label. I want to share my professional knowledge, create opportunities and help develop the next generation of Singapore artists and DJs.
Given your success and recognition, how do you juggle your career with life as a single mother?
It’s definitely challenging, and there isn’t a perfect balance every day. There are times when my son needs me more and others when my career requires more attention, so I’ve learnt to be intentional with my time.
When I’m working, I’m fully focused, but when I’m with my son, I’m present. I don’t work on weekends, and I put my phone away.
Motherhood has also influenced my work. My recent original song, Starlight, was written for my son, and becoming a mother has made me more disciplined and resilient.
I don’t believe motherhood means giving up your dreams. It’s about prioritising, planning and having the right support. I hope my son sees that you can pursue an ambitious career while being a devoted parent, and that he is one of the reasons I have become stronger.
Looking back at your career, is there anything you regret doing—or not doing?
I believe everything I have experienced helped shape who I am today. But if I could change one thing, I would have trusted my artistic identity earlier.
For a long time, I felt pressured to fit into one category — DJ, singer or songwriter. Eventually, I realised that combining all three wasn’t a weakness; it was what made me distinctive.
I only fully embraced being a DJ who sings in 2024, and since then, I have held sold-out concerts and created my own events instead of waiting for clubs to understand what I was doing.
I stopped waiting for permission and simply did it. If I have one regret, it’s that I didn’t do that sooner.
What is your vision for Singapore over the next five years?
Singapore is already recognised as a destination for international entertainment, but I would also like us to become a place that develops and exports original artists.
We have incredibly talented musicians, producers and creatives gaining international recognition, but Singapore’s small market means artists need stronger pathways overseas and more collaborations across Asia.
Over the next five years, I hope to take my own music and performances to more international stages while growing TINC DJ Academy across Southeast Asia. Ultimately, I want overseas audiences to recognise that Singapore artists can create culturally distinctive, authentic and commercially relevant work inspired by our own experiences.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
Definitely teleportation! I travel a lot, and as a single mother, my life involves constantly moving between performances, meetings and home.
If I could teleport, I could finish a performance and immediately be home with my son. I might even be able to perform two shows in one day!
Efficiency is very important to me. Teleportation would allow me to perform overseas without losing so much time travelling or sacrificing time with my son. Time is extremely precious to me, which is why I would choose teleportation.
Connect with Kate: Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
