Hugo Chakrabongse, is an actor, model, singer and songwriter. He is one- eighth Thai, as the great-grandson of King Rama V of the Chakri Dynasty. His mother, Mom Rachawong Narisa Chakrabongse, a well-known publisher and author in Thailand, married his British father, but later divorced. Hugo was born in England, but raised in Thailand near the Chaophraya River. His wife, Tassanawalai Chakrabongse, is Thai. Currently, he is based in New York City and is signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. His musical style has been dubbed by Roc Nation as “gangsta-rock”. Hugo is the first Thai artist to take a debut international album, Old Tyme Religion, to the Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart, with two hit singles – “99 Problems” and “Bread & Butter”. He achieved recognition when his song “Disappear” was featured on Beyoncé’s album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, beginning a series of collaborations that led to a record deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label in 2010. He won a Mekhala Award, in 2002, for his performance in the drama Look Poo Chai Hua Jai Petch.
