Latest news with #LanLao
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Chinese rapper Lan Lao topples Jay Chou as most-streamed Mandarin singer
GUANGZHOU: With over 3.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify and even more across various Chinese streaming platforms, Chinese rapper Lan Lao has dethroned the long-reigning Mandopop king Jay Chou as the most-streamed Mandarin singer. The Straits Times of Singapore reported yesterday that the 27-year-old, also known as Skai IsYourGod, released his second album, 'Ba Fang Lai Cai' (or 'Stacks From All Sides'), last year, which quickly went viral on mainland China's TikTok-like platform, Douyin. Today, his fame has extended to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia. Born in Huizhou, in China's southern Guangdong province, the rapper has said in interviews that he was significantly influenced by Cantonese culture while growing up. After graduating from the Sichuan University of Media and Communications, he took on various odd jobs while pursuing music in his spare time. His first notable creative appearance was a Douyin video promoting Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce. His passion for rap stems from influences such as Chinese rapper Wang Yitai and global hip-hop stars Drake and Young Thug. Lan Lao's songs resonate with those who are fed up with the daily grind and harbour dreams of striking it rich quickly. 'Da Zhan Hong Tu' (or 'Blueprint Supreme'), the biggest hit from his second album, is a prime example of his signature fusion of Cantonese folk music with American rap. The track, which opens with a famous Cantonese opera duet by Hong Kong divas Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin, is currently trending in Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong, partly thanks to its music video being filmed in the city. For a long time, rap was not viewed favourably in mainland China. However, the rise of reality television has led to the genre's explosive popularity across the country. In 2017, the Chinese rap competition show The Rap of China became a massive hit, garnering over 2.7 billion online views. Lan Lao's songs have also proven popular with Taiwanese-American rapper OZI and K-pop star Jay Park, who have collaborated on a rendition of 'Blueprint Supreme'.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is Lan Lao? Chinese rapper topples Jay Chou to become most-streamed Mandarin singer
With over 3.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify and even more on Chinese streaming platforms, Chinese rapper Lan Lao has toppled long-reigning Mandopop king Jay Chou as the most-streamed Mandarin singer. Advertisement In 2024, the 27-year-old, who also goes by Skai IsYourGod, released his second album Ba fang lai cai – or Stacks from All Sides in English – which went viral on mainland China's TikTok-like platform Douyin. Today, his fame has spread to Hong Kong, Taiwan and other parts of Asia. Here is what you need to know about Lan Lao. Who is Lan Lao? After graduating from university, Lan Lao took up odd jobs while creating music in his free time. Photo: Instagram/skaiisyourgod The star's real name is unknown – Lan Lao is a nickname. In an interview with Hong Kong's East Week magazine, he claimed the name Lan Lao came to him in a dream. Born in Huizhou, in China's southern Guangdong province, the rapper has said in interviews that he grew up strongly influenced by Lingnan, or Cantonese, culture. After graduating from the Sichuan University of Media and Communications, he took up odd jobs while creating music in his free time. His first known creative appearance is a Douyin video in which he was promoting Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce, according to fans. Advertisement His love of rap comes from influences such as Chengdu rapper Wang Yitai and global hip-hop stars Drake and Young Thug.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is Lan Lao? Chinese rapper topples Jay Chou to become most-streamed Mandarin singer
With over 3.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify and even more on Chinese streaming platforms, Chinese rapper Lan Lao has toppled long-reigning Mandopop king Jay Chou as the most-streamed Mandarin singer. Advertisement In 2024, the 27-year-old, who also goes by Skai IsYourGod, released his second album Ba fang lai cai – or Stacks from All Sides in English – which went viral on mainland China's TikTok-like platform Douyin. Today, his fame has spread to Hong Kong, Taiwan and other parts of Asia. Here is what you need to know about Lan Lao. Who is Lan Lao? After graduating from university, Lan Lao took up odd jobs while creating music in his free time. Photo: Instagram/skaiisyourgod The star's real name is unknown – Lan Lao is a nickname. In an interview with Hong Kong's East Week magazine, he claimed the name Lan Lao came to him in a dream. Born in Huizhou, in China's southern Guangdong province, the rapper has said in interviews that he grew up strongly influenced by Lingnan, or Cantonese, culture. After graduating from the Sichuan University of Media and Communications, he took up odd jobs while creating music in his free time. His first known creative appearance is a Douyin video in which he was promoting Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce, according to fans. Advertisement His love of rap comes from influences such as Chengdu rapper Wang Yitai and global hip-hop stars Drake and Young Thug.
