It’s no question that the popularity of Asian pop is rising, both in Canada and across the globe. But listening to music in another language can feel intimidating to some, especially when you don’t understand the lyrics. In this article we’ll explore why it’s a good idea to dive into pop music in another language, specifically Chinese pop and the benefits of cultural explorations like these.
Chinese pop, or C-pop, is a genre of music that has become increasingly popular in recent years. With a growing number of international fans, C-pop has become a significant cultural export for China. In the next sections, we will explore some tips for getting into C-pop, from finding the right artists to understanding the cultural context of the genre.
Start With the Popular Artists
One of the easiest ways to get into C-pop is to start with the most popular artists. Some of the biggest names in the industry include Jane Zhang, Lexie Liu, Jason Zhang, Hua Chenyu and G.E.M. These artists have a massive following both in China and around the world, and their music covers a range of genres, from ballads to hip-hop. Listening to their music can give you a sense of the sound and style of C-pop, and can also introduce you to some of the key themes and topics in the genre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m67q1AA0mAI
Jike Junyi’s live performance of “Xinghuo” with unmatched production
Explore the Different Sub-genres
C-pop is a diverse genre that includes a range of sub-genres, from pop and hip-hop to songs with a fusion of both traditional elements/instruments and modern beats/EDM. Exploring the different sub-genres can help you find artists and songs that you enjoy. For example, if you are a fan of traditional Chinese music, you might enjoy the work of artists like Faye Wong and Teresa Teng. If you prefer modern pop, you might enjoy the music of Jackson Wang or Lay Zhang. By exploring the different sub-genres of C-pop, you can find the style that best suits your taste.
Learn About the Cultural Context
Like all music genres, C-pop has a cultural context that shapes its themes and styles. Learning about the cultural context of C-pop can help you understand the meaning and significance of the music. For example, many C-pop songs address themes of love, friendship, and family, which reflect the importance of these values in Chinese culture. Similarly, some C-pop songs draw on traditional Chinese instruments and melodies, which reflect the rich cultural heritage of China. By learning about the cultural context of C-pop, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the music and its significance.
Find Translations of the Lyrics
One of the challenges of getting into C-pop as a non-Chinese speaker is understanding the lyrics. Fortunately, there are many online resources that provide translations of C-pop songs. These translations can help you understand the meaning and themes of the songs, and can also help you appreciate the poetry and beauty of the lyrics. Some websites, like Genius, provide translations of C-pop lyrics, and there are also many fan communities that share translations on social media.
Watch Music Videos and Live Performances
C-pop is not just about the music – it is also about the performance. Many C-pop artists are known for their elaborate music videos and live performances, which showcase their talent and creativity. Watching music videos and live performances can give you a sense of the visual style and energy of C-pop, and can also help you appreciate the artistry of the artists. Some popular C-pop music videos include Jane Zhang’s “Dust My Shoulders Off”, Jolin Tsai’s “Ugly Beauty”, and G.E.M.’s “Passion”.
Connect With Other Fans
Finally, one of the best ways to get into C-pop is to connect with other fans. There are many online communities and fan groups that share information, translations, and opinions about C-pop. By joining these communities, you can meet other fans who share your passion for the genre, and can also learn more about the artists and their music. Some popular C-pop fan communities include C-pop Reddit and PopJustice’s C-pop section.
Artists to Check Out
My favourite Chinese artist is Jane Zhang 张靓颖, debuting in 2005 after placing third in a show called “Super Girls”, she’s been one of the pillars of the C-pop industry.
Jane Zhang 张靓颖
Jane has won just about every award in China, and internationally she was on Oprah and has been at the Grammy’s. She also has a host of Asian firsts being the first Asian artist to sing the global theme song for a Hollywood blockbuster. The song is called Fighting Shadows (ft. Big Sean) for the movie Terminator Genisys released in 2015. She became the first Asian artist to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2017.
Incredible Range
Jane Zhang is known for her super wide range and high head voice that is so high it sounds like a whistle. She utilizes it to great effect using it like an instrument. It’s one of her trademarks earning her the nickname “Dolphin Princess” early on in her career. But it’s not just high notes, she also has an incredibly solid lower register, with lots of tone and support and a darker tone in that range not many females have.
English Album
In 2019 Jane released her first English album aimed at the overseas market, with collaborations featuring Migos, the Chainsmokers, 50 Cent, Eminem, Ne-Yo, Steve Aoki, Timbaland etc. Some of the MVs like the one for her single “Dust My Shoulders Off” are incredibly innovative and the MV for DMSO had actually won a Red Dot Design Award for its creativity. Other songs like “Pull Me Up”, “Work For It”, “Adam and Eve” are bangers too.
G.E.M. 邓紫棋
G.E.M. is another super popular female artist and writes all of her own music. She has an impressive catalogue with sounds that range from pop to hip-hop, with songs and MVs like “City Zoo” that highlight the dark sides of the capitalist society we live in today, her work is also filled with deeper meaning.
Lexie Liu 刘柏辛
Lexie Liu is one of my favourite new artists in the C-pop scene, she also writes all of her own stuff and has a sound that’s like no one else’s. Her songs are super well produced and has a futuristic sound to them. Lexie just released her latest album “The Happy Star” not long ago, “Magician” is the standout song on the album for me and her older releases like “Manta”, “ALGTR”, “Shadow”, “Metropolis”, “Mulan” etc. are all absolute treasures.
Hua Chenyu 华晨宇
Hua Chenyu is one of China’s most popular male artists right now and he writes most of his stuff. His music is also unique in that he has his own distinct style. It doesn’t really sound like anything else out there. But more than just the studio versions, what impresses me the most is the way he is able to emote and pull you into a performance with unmatched dynamics, definitely check him out in person if you get a chance to.
Other names like Jackson Wang 王嘉尔 are certainly worth a look and listen, Jackson recently released an English album aimed at the international market and he actually just had a concert right here in Vancouver, as a stop of his “Magicman” world tour. His songs are super catchy and always feature insane visuals.
Getting into C-pop is a fun and rewarding experience. By starting with the popular artists, exploring the different sub-genres, learning about the cultural elements we can broaden our understanding of other cultures. C-pop songs and MVs are also just so damn good it’s bound to bring you endless enjoyment.