Some pop stars are groomed for success—professionally trained and primed for the limelight. But Taiwanese singer-songwriter-producer Bobby Chen earned his success the hard way. Although it took time before his earnest voice, melodic complexity and creative time signatures captured attention with his debut album in 1988, his career flourished with the launch of the New Formosa Band in 1992, blending pop with traditional Taiwanese folk. Chen's outspoken opposition to Chinese rule over Taiwan has cost him opportunities on the mainland, but it's also earned him that much more respect from local fans.