CHINA // INDUSTRY NEWS
// EDITOR’S NOTE
These newsletters are shared at the end of each month to email subscribers only, and posted here on the blog weeks later. Link here to subscribe for free: http://newsletter.groovedynasty.cn/
// INVESTMENTS INSIDE AND OUT OF CHINA
There is a kind of generic press-release-y brand of news that hits the music industry news sites often – ‘XYZ’ invests in China, so-and-so label opens a new office, etc. Although this newsletter is not in the habit of regurgitating boring news, I often share these stories because it’s helpful to see what the major players in the space are doing in China. Unlike other regions, most who are active locally are doing so very deliberately, usually meaning they’ve hired a company to handle their work in China or are in a new collaboration. So label deals, signings, and other announcements often signify a big investment in China, and analyzing them can reveal more information about the world they happen in.
As such, there are a few recent announcements of note, highlighting expansions in local companies, getting China’s catalog to the world, or vice versa. First is distributor Believe expanding further into China with new hires and other expansions. They already have a sizeable footprint in the country, and do good work for their distribution locally, I would guess this expansion is aimed at a few competitors who have lightly dipped into China recently. In other news of just the last month or so, Chinese label Cheerful Music scored a global deal with Universal Music, K-Pop label JYP is getting distribution through NetEase Cloud Music, and Tencent Music has bought 10% of Thailand’s GMM Music.
MBW // Believe Vows ‘Continued Expansion’ In Greater China
Digital Music News // NetEase Cloud Music Adds JYP Entertainment Catalog
Reuters // Tencent Music to pick up 10% stake in Thailand’s GMM
Bandwagon Asia // Universal Music Publishing Announces Global Deal With Cheerful Music
// CHINESE FANS AND DJS PARTICIPATE IN DJ MAG VOTING
Since the 90s, UK-based DJ Mag has been ranking the best DJs in the world into their own list, the coveted ‘Top 100 DJs’. China has had an interesting history with the list – Carta was the first DJ to enter the ranks in 2017, since then each year usually includes a handful of Chinese DJs. A few years after that first Chinese entry, I attended a press conference in Shanghai welcoming the brand officially to China. This would take a few different forms over the years, there have been Top 100 DJ festivals, translated magazine editions and articles, social media accounts, club rankings, and most recently a dedicated Chinese-language website where locals can vote.
When I first started working in the music industry in China, the Top 100 DJ list was *the thing* that got you booked in China, to the point where artists were investing in campaigns in the hopes of making the list for that purpose specifically. As electronic music expanded in the country over the years, genre tastes diversified, and agents started looking at a more holistic approach to booking, like music popularity, social following, etc. Overall, a healthier approach to the market, that still respects the list while recognizing fans’ diverse habits.
Answering a few questions that some artists and managers have asked me in the last few days:
– Do Chinese fans care about DJ Mag? Yes.
– Do Chinese fans vote? Yes.
– Can we do a campaign for China? Yes, but I’d recommend in conjunction with a global campaign, not focusing on China only. Easy version is translated posters or videos to post, more dedicated campaigns could include custom videos/content, or working with Chinese influencers and creators to recommend voting for a specific artist to their fans, highlight music or events, or other direct content.
– Can you use this [shortened] link in the campaign so we can track clicks? Probably not. China has its own voting site we should link to, and social media sites often block link shorteners or any direct links in posts. Usually best to just include QR codes or instructions on how to vote.
– Can you buy votes for us? Just kidding nobody has ever asked me that, please don’t.
// QQ MUSIC JOINS APPLE VISION PRO
App censorship in China happens on multiple levels. ‘The Great Firewall’ gets most of the headlines, but the country can also easily control platform access by working directly with app stores or publishers. For example, the official (Apple) App Store doesn’t include Spotify or any VPNs, locally bought gaming consoles can only download locally released games, etc. This makes for interesting (and sometimes delayed) product launches, like Apple Vision Pro coming to Chinese Apple Stores months after the global release. As the product has its own app store, it needed local partners to get audio and video platforms on board with compatible apps. Introducing QQ Music, now in VR! I have to say, the app seems pretty well integrated and looks like a cooler experience than I would have guessed, I linked a tweet below that shows it off. Headsets are somewhat popular in China for gaming, I don’t expect Apple to move the needle much in this space.
V2XR on X // “more like a meditation app”
音乐先声 on WeChat // QQ Music Taking The Lead In The Era Of Virtual Listening
SPOTLIGHT // CHINESE MUSIC
This section highlights local Chinese artists, DJs, and labels.
// VESK GREEN – LULLABY
The Canadian electronic music label Monstercat has a healthy amount of releases with Chinese artists, dating back many years. This week there was a new release from VESK GREEN, a harder, bass-heavy tune with English lyrics that fits right in with the label’s style. From the artist’s bio: “VESK GREEN is a music producer and DJ from Guangzhou! With over a decade of music production experience, he boasts an astounding 1 billion plays on Chinese music platforms. His style encompasses EDM/Techno/Bass Music, but he’s primarily known for his atmospheric and high-energy dance tracks.” Editor’s note: yes, MC is a client, no it’s not why I like this track. Also the cover art is absolutely adorable.