music

China’s Dejected Youth Find a New Anti-Hero: a ‘Trashy’ Wannabe Rapper

Your questions, answered. In-depth interviews with the minds and makers shaping today’s China.

Q & A

Aspiring hip-hop star Big Sponge has few fans, fewer friends, and so little money that he has to collect recycling waste to make some extra cash. But his story — captured in the award-winning film “Trashy Boy” — has resonated with disaffected young Chinese.

Yuan Ye

KTV Operator Fined for Offering Songs by ‘Tainted Artist’ Kris Wu 

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

The Chinese-Canadian pop star was tried for an alleged rape at a Beijing court in June.

Luo Meihan

How a Choir of Miao Farmers Became a Viral Hit

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

The Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmer Choir has found success online, but viral fame comes with its own risks.

Yang Yalun

Shanghai Orchestra Fuses Folk Music With Contemporary Sounds

The second season of the traditional Chinese music concert will run through early September.

Trove of Discarded Cassette Tapes Brings Back a Lost Shanghai

Musician Philip Hsu has amassed a huge collection of mixtapes recorded by ordinary Shanghainese during the late 20th century. They offer a unique window into an era of dizzying change.

Philip Hsu

Did ‘God Songs’ Kill China’s God of Rock?

Quick, catchy, and inane, short video-optimized “god songs” have taken over Chinese music. Does anyone still have the patience for an old-school album?

Cai Yineng

Jay Chou Professes His Love for Art in New Music Video

Many Chinese art lovers say the Taiwanese singer helped develop their interest in Western art and culture through his music.

Wu Peiyue

TV Show’s ‘Positive’ Spin on Hit Lyric Draws Rebuke From Singer 

Zheng Zhihua said he is infuriated to see the changes made to his 1992 hit “Star Lighting” without authorization.

Ye Zhanhang

Acclaimed Chinese Lyricist Qiao Yu Dies at 94 

“My Motherland” and “Unforgettable Tonight” are among the songwriter’s most well-known works.

Wu Haiyun

He’s China's Most Famous Conductor. He Also Has Down Syndrome.

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Lü Xiao

Chinese Band Uses Lockdown Metaphors as Tour Titles

Backspace postpones domestic concerts amid the coronavirus outbreak with a fitting name for their rearranged tour: “Let’s Try Again.”

China’s Music Platforms Are Streaming Fake Tracks

NetEast and Tencent music are suing each other over copycat performers singing hit songs under almost-famous names.

The Shanghai Lockdown Rap: ‘Get Fed, Go on Get Tested’

The city’s fight to defeat COVID-19 — and to buy fresh vegetables — now has an anthem.

Chinese Label Debuts Its First Virtual Musician Amid Metaverse Hype

Modern Sky will also launch a virtual version of its famous Strawberry Music Festival featuring virtual artists this year.

China’s Push to End Market Monopoly Targets Music Industry

The new rule requires streaming platforms to end exclusive music licensing deals with artists and record labels.

Are Young Chinese Really Over Karaoke?

While the younger demographic is seemingly ditching KTV parlors for other activities, the elderly have stepped in to fill the gap.

Fan Yiying

Wild, Creative, Disturbing: Inside China’s ‘Hyperpop’ Music Scene

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

Young Chinese are creating a thriving underground scene for fast-paced, emotionally charged “hyperpop.” The music industry is baffled.

Bryan Grogan

China’s Newest Boy Band Called ‘Absurd’ for Being Too Young

Critics say minors shouldn’t be used as a tool to make money for companies.

The Feminist Rapper Who Refuses to Be Silenced

Hip-hop star Yang Yuzhen is striving to inspire China’s girls to stand up for gender equality. The price: a torrent of online abuse.

Du Xinyu

Chen Qi’an

Idol Kris Wu Denies Accusation of Sexually Exploiting Young Women 

A 19-year-old woman has claimed that the singer uses his fame to lure young women, some even underage.