The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), a nonprofit representing the recording industry’s interests worldwide, recently announced the recipients of the 2022 Global Recording Artist of the Year Award. Among the likes of Taylor Swift and BTS was the ‘King of Mandopop,’ Jay Chou.
Coming in ninth place, Chou has become the first Mandarin-language act to make the list.
As part of its mission to be a voice for the international music scene, the IFPI releases an annual list of the world’s top-performing artists. Artists are evaluated based on the physical sales and digital streams of their entire discography over the year, among other factors.
Life and Career
Jay Chou was born on January 18, 1979, in Taiwan. He began taking piano lessons at the age of 3 and started to write songs when he was in high school.
Chou incorporates a blend of traditional Chinese music, R&B, and modern pop into his sound, allowing the singer-songwriter to distinguish himself from other Mandopop artists.
One of his most famous songs, ‘Qingtian’ (‘晴天,’ ‘Sunny Day’), is a perfect example of his signature style that merges guitar balladry and rock elements.
Beloved throughout Asia, Chou enjoys a massive fan base in Taiwan, the Chinese mainland, and Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore. He has sold over 30 million records and has more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Recent Releases and Recognition
Last year, Chou released his first album in over six years, titled Greatest Works of Art.
Despite mixed reviews, the album enjoyed much commercial success, with 5 million copies sold during its first week in the Chinese mainland and the title song’s music video hitting 5 million views on YouTube in just 24 hours.
Future of Mandopop?
In recent years, there has been a massive increase in the visibility of Asian musicians worldwide. K-pop, in particular, has taken the globe by storm, with three Korean boy idol groups — BTS, Stray Kids, and Seventeen — also making the IFPI list.
Jay Chou’s placement in the ranking may bring more awareness to the Mandopop genre and its potential for internationalization in the future.
“It is exciting to see […] the increasingly diverse spectrum of music available to music fans today,” wrote IFPI in a press release.
Congrats, Chou. We can’t wait to see how this honor will advance Mandopop’s popularity among global audiences.
Cover image via Weibo
