Jack – J97

Trịnh Trần Phương Tuấn, known professionally as Jack – J97, is a Vietnamese singer, songwriter, and rapper. He's one of the most streamed artists in Vietnam, blending rap, pop, and traditional melodies into a sound that resonates with millions. His hits like "Hoa Hải Đường" and "Sóng Gió" have dominated charts and streaming platforms, earning him a devoted fanbase across Southeast Asia.

Jack's career is marked by impressive accolades: three Green Wave Awards, four Zing Music Awards, the Best New Asian Artist of Vietnam at the 2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards, and Best Southeast Asian Act at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards. He also won the 26th Golden Apricot Blossom Award for Best Light Music Male Singer in 2020. As of 2026, he continues to be a major force in Vietnamese pop culture, though his journey has been punctuated by controversies that have tested his public standing. [edit]

Born in Bến Tre, a province in the Mekong Delta, Jack grew up in a modest household. His passion for music emerged early; he started writing songs as a teenager, often drawing on the folk tunes his grandparents sang. He moved to Ho Chi Minh City to pursue music, taking on odd jobs while grinding in the local hip-hop scene.

His first real break came when he joined the hip-hop group G5R, where he honed his rap skills and learned the ins and outs of the industry. But he felt constrained by the group's direction, so he struck out on his own. In 2018, he released his debut solo single "Hồng Nhan," a melancholic rap-ballad that quickly went viral. That track, along with "Đom Đóm," put him on the map, but it was his 2019 collaboration with K-ICM, "Sóng Gió," that truly exploded, racking up hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and cementing his status as a rising star. [edit]

After the massive success of "Sóng Gió," Jack became a household name in Vietnam. He followed up with a string of hits, including "Hoa Hải Đường" in 2020, which not only topped charts but also earned him the distinction of being the first Vietnamese artist to win an Asian Television Award for Best Music Video Act. His YouTube channel grew at an explosive rate; in April 2020, it was ranked among the top 50 fastest-subscribed channels globally.

He continued to release music that blended modern beats with traditional Vietnamese instruments, earning him critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. In 2023, he denied rumors that he paid Lionel Messi $2.5 million for a cameo in a music video, clarifying that the video was filmed during a promotional event. However, his career hit turbulence in 2025 when he faced legal issues with his ex-girlfriend over parental rights, and his company was named in a tax debt scandal. By October 2025, he canceled shows and temporarily suspended activities after working with authorities, but discussions about his potential return have been ongoing. [edit]

Jack is known for his charismatic stage presence and his ability to connect with fans through his music. His style blends modern streetwear with traditional Vietnamese elements, often incorporating áo dài-inspired details into his outfits. He's active on social media, where he shares behind-the-scenes moments and interacts with his fanbase, known as "Jackers." Despite his controversies, his fans remain fiercely loyal, often defending him online. His music videos are cinematic, often telling emotional stories that resonate with viewers. [edit]

Jack – J97 has cultivated a massive, digitally-native following that transcends traditional fan club structures. His audience, often referred to simply as Jackers in online communities, is defined by its sheer scale and rapid mobilization capabilities rather than a formalized moniker or structured hierarchy. With hundreds of millions of likes across Facebook and TikTok, his supporters have driven unprecedented growth for his YouTube channel, which once hit the global top 50 for subscription velocity. However, the narrative surrounding this fandom has shifted dramatically in recent years. What began as a celebration of viral musical hits evolved into a complex dynamic marked by intense public scrutiny and controversy. High-profile disputes involving personal conduct and legal battles have fractured the previously unified front of his support base, turning what were once moments of adoration into scenes of debate and backlash. The community now navigates a landscape where legendary rumors, such as the persistent but unverified story about a multimillion-dollar payment to Lionel Messi, coexist with serious allegations regarding family obligations. While the fanbase remains large enough to generate significant streaming numbers and keep his older catalog relevant, the organized rituals and positive lore that characterized his peak years have been overshadowed by a more critical public discourse. Despite these challenges, the digital footprint he maintains suggests an audience that is still deeply engaged, even if the nature of that engagement has become more defensive and fragmented. According to the iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluation conducted in August 2026, Jack – J97 is currently evaluated but does not hold a placement in the published rankings, meaning he is not ranked within the Global Top 1,000 or any specific scope list at this time.[edit]

Born Trịnh Trần Phương Tuấn, the artist adopted the stage name J97 to reflect his birth year of 1997 alongside his initial 'J'. He is instantly recognizable for his fashion choices, frequently pairing oversized hoodies and bucket hats with modern streetwear that occasionally nods to traditional Vietnamese aesthetics. A self-proclaimed anime enthusiast, particularly of Naruto, he has woven references to the series directly into his songwriting. His personal life includes a pet dog named Milo, who frequently appears in his social media updates, and a passion for video gaming, with League of Legends being a particular favorite. Beyond the music, a major piece of his modern legend involves a widely circulated rumor claiming he paid football icon Lionel Messi $2.5 million for a cameo in a music video; while Jack explicitly denied this fabrication in 2023, the story persists as a defining mythos of his wealth. More recently, his public image became entangled in severe personal scandals, including allegations of inadequate child support payments and a high-profile legal dispute with actress Thiên An over custody access, events that sparked widespread ridicule and reshaped his cultural standing from a viral sensation to a subject of intense cautionary discussion.[edit]

Jack has kept his family life relatively private, but he has mentioned his parents in interviews, expressing gratitude for their support. He has a younger sister, though her name is not publicly known. In 2025, he was involved in a legal dispute with his ex-girlfriend Thien An over their child, seeking to establish his parental rights. As of 2026, he is reportedly single and focused on his career. [edit]

Jack has collaborated with several notable artists, including K-ICM, with whom he created the massive hit "Sóng Gió." He has also worked with producers like DTAP and has been associated with the label Nomad MGMT Vietnam. His music videos often feature the actress Thien An, who was also his ex-girlfriend. [edit]

Jack's most public relationship was with Thien An, a hot girl and actress who appeared in several of his music videos. They began dating around 2019, and their relationship was widely covered in Vietnamese media. In 2021, they broke up, and Thien An later gave birth to a child, which Jack initially denied paternity. In 2025, Jack filed a lawsuit to establish his parental rights, and the court accepted the case. As of 2026, he is reportedly single, focusing on his career and legal matters. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Jack – J97's net worth stands at $10 Million as of 2026. This valuation reflects his sustained success through music sales, streaming royalties, and lucrative live performance circuits. A primary driver of this financial stability is his dominant position on YouTube, where a subscriber base exceeding 10 million generates substantial advertising revenue. Diversifying beyond audio content, he has successfully expanded into acting roles and secured various brand endorsement deals. Although recent controversies led to a temporary suspension of his professional activities, the enduring popularity of his catalog ensures a steady stream of income from his past hits.[edit]

Jack has won numerous awards, including three Green Wave Awards, four Zing Music Awards, and the Best New Asian Artist of Vietnam at the 2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards. He also won Best Southeast Asian Act at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards and the Golden Apricot Blossom Award for Best Light Music Male Singer in 2020. His music video for "Hoa Hải Đường" earned him an Asian Television Award, making him the first Vietnamese artist to achieve this. [edit]