HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 340 [340] Chris Qi, the farcical performance of self-proclaimed king?
"Chris, aren't you being a little too confident? Are you saying that your goal in coming to America this time is to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100?"
My goodness, no Asian musician has ever achieved this before, including Coco, who is also from China and only reached number 9 at best.

The reporter was making blatant hints.

Warner slipped him a tip, and he regretted accepting it.

Fuck! If Chris's words were published verbatim in a magazine, it would be huge news.

In the eyes of the general American public, Chinese people are all docile. So when a Chinese person suddenly appears who is so confident that he is arrogant and says that he will take the number one spot on the Billboard charts, it is definitely big news.

Qi Yuan ignored the reporter's suggestion: "I wrote Coco's song. Last year I could create a song that ranked 9th, and this year I can create a song that ranks 1st on the Billboard charts. People can improve, can't they?"

Qi Yuan was not unaware that his words would cause controversy in the United States.

When he first arrived in the United States, what was terrible was the lack of exposure, and what was even worse was that his songs were famous but he himself was not.

If his arrogant words get out, Americans will definitely remember that there is a cocky Chinese singer who came to the United States to release an album.

Ordinary Americans will also remember that songs like "Free Loop," "Baby," "You're Beautiful," and "Sugar" were written by a Chinese man named Chris Qi.

First, make a big splash and let Americans remember his face, then gradually cultivate a loyal fanbase through his work.

In the American music scene, diss culture is prevalent.

Dissing competitors is a common marketing tactic used by American singers. It can quickly attract public attention and media buzz, thereby stimulating listener interest, boosting song popularity, and driving album sales.

If there's no benefit to them, why would these singers keep dissing each other? Do they really think it's satisfying to attack people for no reason?

In many cases, both sides have an unspoken understanding: I release an album and criticize you, and you release your next album and criticize me, just to create hype and gain fans together.

If Qi Yuan comes to the United States without making some big news, how can he compete with these American singers for exposure?
In the subsequent interview, Qi Yuan said some harsh things that Americans might find inconsistent with stereotypical views of Chinese people.

The reporter gritted his teeth and decided to return the writing fee to Warner.

Compared to the profits from the breaking news, the writing fee Warner gave was like giving alms to a beggar.

After the interview, Zhang Hao was a little confused: "Why did that foreigner return the money we gave him? What did you say to him?"

"It's nothing. I was just saying that I often come to the top of the list in China, and it's no exception in the United States!"

Qi Yuan answered truthfully.

"Fuck! You're insane."

Zhang Hao's eyes widened in disbelief.

Are you really not afraid of being attacked by Americans? There's already discrimination against Asians here, and Chinese people have a relatively low status among Asians in the US.

Zhang Hao could already imagine how badly Qi Yuan would be criticized by the Americans when he turned around.

"If you look at it from a different angle, after all this, haven't all the Americans who were criticizing me now remembered my face?"

Did I not get enough criticism from fans of Nicholas Tse and the Four Heavenly Kings back in China? Did it affect my chances of becoming an Asian superstar?

I'm not afraid of being criticized or becoming famous, I'm afraid of not becoming famous. As a Chinese person coming to America, I have to take an extreme approach.

"Just give an interview honestly, who wants to watch you? Here, people write their grudges into song lyrics and curse each other; the gentler approach you use back home doesn't work here."

Qi Yuan said in a serious tone.

In China, even a cheating scandal is considered major news in the entertainment industry, but here it's nothing! It doesn't even make a ripple.

To play well on the international server, you need to change your playstyle.

Zhang Hao nodded upon hearing this, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Qi Yuan's words made sense.

There are many examples of this phenomenon of "black fame," the most representative being Eminem, one of the most popular singers today. His lyrics are full of violence and hatred, and he particularly enjoys attacking his competitors. Marilyn Manson is another heavyweight; his rise to fame is seen as a phenomenon of 'moral corruption,' as his music touches on a whole host of sensitive topics, including darkness and sex.

Mainstream media have labeled Marilyn Manson a 'dangerous element'.

There's also Limp Bachett, whose music incites negative emotions among teenagers and has been fiercely criticized by music critics and moralists, yet his record sales are high and he has a strong appeal among young music fans.

In America, who wants to watch you do anything fancy?
Qi Yuan didn't incite anyone or criticize anyone; he was just making fun of himself. Compared to the singers here, he's already very civilized and moral.

If Li Wen had been a bit more audacious last year, her single would have sold even better.

When Li Wen went to the radio station to promote her work, one radio host directly discriminated against her, saying he thought she was an erhu player.

Li Wen chose to endure it, as the media and her colleagues here ostracized her quite a bit.

Since she'd get criticized no matter what she did, Qi Yuan decided to be a little more audacious.

"That makes sense, but if you make a big boast and your song doesn't top the Billboard charts, you'll be in a very awkward position. If you release an English album next time, they'll be chasing after you and mocking you."

Qi Yuan didn't care at all: "Isn't that even better? Next time I come, they'll still chase after me and curse me, giving me free publicity."

Zhang Hao: "..."

You're a true genius!
A few seconds later, Qi Yuan asked Zhang Hao what radio stations and promotional events he was scheduled to attend.

Having already made those boasts, Qi Yuan didn't want to be proven wrong if possible. He wanted to do everything he could to promote the song and boost its popularity.

……

In the coming days.

Qi Yuan visited several radio stations, including Rock and Top40, some in person and some by phone.

The United States is so big, it's impossible for Qi Yuan to fly to every city.

With Warner's arrangement, Qi Yuan appeared on the Tonight Show television program.

I've performed at numerous offline events, ranging from small music activities to large-scale music festival compilations.

Qi Yuan's travels in the United States have brought considerable exposure, and her record sales and radio rankings have both increased.

Of course, the most explosive news is the latest issue of Seventeen magazine.

It includes an interview with Qi Yuan, titled: 'Qi Yuan: I am a king in the Chinese music scene, and I am still a king in the American music scene!'

The release of this magazine caused a sensation in the American media and on the internet.

How dare a Chinese person like him!
The Chinese music scene is nothing more than a third-rate one, not even as good as the Japanese music scene. What's the point of claiming the title of king in the Chinese music scene? Haven't you seen how many Japanese bands and singers have failed in their attempts to enter the American market?

Those media outlets that already had prejudices against Asians began to launch a full-scale attack, just like they bullied Li Wen last year, harshly satirizing Qi Yuan and this arrogant Chinese singer.

The king of the Chinese music scene is like a monkey who defeats a group of monkeys and then proclaims himself king, without noticing the tiger and the pride of lions in the distance.

From stage to jokes, China's 'superstars' are putting on a stand-up comedy show for us.

[Chris Qi, the farcical self-proclaimed king]

……

Numerous media outlets are mocking Qi Yuan, while Qi Yuan himself and his four English songs are experiencing a surge in popularity.

On December 7th, an ordinary Thursday, the Billboard charts were updated.

(End of this chapter)