HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 446 [446] Warner: It's reasonable to spend a few million dollars to make Daddy happy, right?
Qi Yuan handed over eleven new songs from his second English album, along with some simple demos, to Warner Music.

Zhou Jianhui personally called Qi Yuan; "Yuan, isn't this a bit too wasteful? The Americans think your first album is a bit of a waste, as it often gets stuck with its own album during the charts."

Zhou Jianhui places great importance on content, and Warner has professionals in this field.

Zhou Jianhui asked some people to evaluate the songs, and then combined that with his own experience, he would know the quality of the songs.

In his opinion, the quality of the second album was much higher than that of the first album, giving people the impression that Qi Yuan was planning to retire from the entertainment industry after releasing the second album.

Even if any superstar were to arrive, he wouldn't dare to be so extravagant!

"It won't be wasted. Next year will be different from this year. The music scene in Europe and America will be very competitive next year."

Qi Yuan said firmly.

There must be a reason why he put such a lavish amount of resources into his second major in English.

The American music scene in 01 was really not that great; the strongest album was actually The Beatles' "1".

This is a compilation album featuring 27 Beatles hits that topped the UK and US singles charts, evoking nostalgia among longtime fans.

This compilation album has sold over 3100 million copies worldwide, which is quite impressive.

This also shows how influential the Beatles were among audiences in Europe and America.

Aside from this compilation album, other artists' new albums aren't quite up to par, which is why the American music scene and media last year put Destiny's Child out to compete with Kris Wu.

The Chosen One was considered quite impressive last year.

Originally, the second half of the year should have seen some phenomenal albums, but due to the impact of those two buildings, no tough guys dared to release a new album from September to December.

Qi Yuan got a great deal; his album "23" became the best-selling new album of 01.

Next year will be different; it will be a true free-for-all between the gods.

Norah Jones, the jazz diva, is coming.

This year, Norah Jones released her debut EP, which successfully reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Although she didn't have much of a presence under the shadow of Qi Yuan and Destiny's Child, she had already begun to make a name for herself in the American music scene.

She will release her debut studio album, "Come Away With Me," the day before the Grammy Awards next year.

This album set a record for the most Grammy Awards in a single year, leaving Avril Lavigne, the "alternative yeast" from Canada, empty-handed and experiencing a psychological journey from being full of confidence to breaking down completely.

Her debut album sold an astonishing 2700 million copies worldwide.

Did you think that was all? No, there are still experts out there.

After two years of preparation, American rap king Amy Nam will release his fourth album, "The Eminem Show," next year, along with his film debut, "8 Mile."

"The Eminem Show" also sold over 2700 million copies worldwide and was certified by Guinness World Records as the 'best-selling rap album in the United States'.

Aside from those two outrageous contestants.

Avril Lavigne will release her debut album, "Let Go," next year.

Justin Timberlake, the core member of the boy band *NSYNC,* has officially announced his solo career and released his first solo album.

These four alone have already blown the Western music scene up the charts for next year, not to mention other singers releasing new albums.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, next year will be the most competitive year for Qi Yuan since her debut.

Zhou Jianhui has traveled to the United States several times this year and has had a lot of contact with people at Warner Music's headquarters.

Qi Yuandu has already ventured into Europe and America, and he has been collecting the latest news from the European and American music scene. He also knows that the American music scene, which has been quiet for a year, will most likely see a surge next year.

He didn't try to persuade Qi Yuan any further; he suggested turning the eleven new songs and "Happy" into a new album. The second album was of great significance to Qi Yuan; whether he could become a Western superstar and a global superstar depended on this album.

It's better to have excessively high damage than to have insufficient lethality.

In addition, the recording equipment and conditions in mainland China are relatively backward compared to those in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Qi Yuan usually chooses to go to Hong Kong and Taiwan to record new songs.

This year is a special case. The Taiwanese side wants Qi Yuan to apply, but Qi Yuan doesn't want to deal with them and doesn't plan to go to Taiwan.

In fact, Warner Music Taiwan's recording equipment is not as good as that of top recording studios in Europe and America.

Warner Music Taiwan's recording equipment was purchased from overseas in the 1990s, and after internal strife, it has not undergone any major upgrades or updates to this day.

It would definitely be considered top-tier domestically, but not top-tier globally.

"I have gained something new from this trip to the United States. I'll give you a surprise: you won't need to come to Taiwan or the United States to record new songs anymore."

In the first half of the year, you were suppressed by some people in Taiwan, and Warner Music was unable to provide you with any assistance. I helped you secure compensation.

We will purchase a complete set of the latest, top-of-the-line recording equipment, which will be placed in the recording studio at our Beijing branch. You'll need it when recording your new album.

Zhou Jianhui said with a smile.

"Oh?"

Qi Yuan was somewhat surprised.

This gesture really puts a lot of face on people.

Judging from Zhou Jianhui's tone, the entire set of equipment would cost several million US dollars.

In my previous life, Warner wouldn't have been willing to import such expensive equipment to China at this point in time.

Even if we manage to bring it back, we'll keep it in Taiwan, since Warner Music's domestic headquarters is in Taiwan.

This time, Warner made an exception for Qi Yuan and placed the equipment in Beijing for his convenience.

After all, Qi Yuan is the eldest son and the god of wealth, and he has made a lot of money for Warner in the past four years.

What's wrong with them spending a few million to make their dad happy?
Besides, isn't the purpose of placing this top-of-the-line equipment in Beijing to make Daddy more motivated to work and thus help them earn more money?

As for the artists signed by Taiwan and Warner Music in Hong Kong?

We've all been accommodating our father, can't you all be too? From now on, you can just go to Beijing to record your songs.

Not convinced? You guys, just like Big Daddy, brought in over $6 million in revenue for Warner, so we can acknowledge you as Big Daddy too.

……

This news caused an uproar in the entire Chinese music and media industry.

Some people in Taiwan have lost their composure.

Based on their experience, Qi Yuan would definitely choose songs from Taiwan as his first choice for recording his new album.

As long as Qi Yuanren goes to Taiwan, they will find reporters to take a few photos of him, put him on the Taiwanese entertainment news, and praise him a bit.

They could then claim that they didn't suppress Qi Yuan or demand that "Meteor Garden" enter the mainland market.

And Warner Music, you bastard, actually fawned over Qi Yuan like that, building him the best recording studio in the country in Beijing?
Qi Yuan just made you a little more money, is that really necessary? Where did your high-and-mighty attitude as one of the world's top five record companies go? You didn't treat Taiwanese artists like this before.

(End of this chapter)