You know how people on the Chinese internet describe the 2000s Mandopop music scene as 神仙打架的年代, literally, “an era where the gods battled each other”? With artists like Jay Chou, David Tao, Stephanie Sun, and JJ Lin all dominating at the same time, it’s hard to argue with that description.
But what about today? Well, if you spend enough time on the Chinese internet, you’ve probably come across another phrase: 华语乐坛完蛋了, meaning “Chinese music is doomed.” But is it, though? Maybe you’re unlikely to see another Jay Chou anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean Chinese music has stopped producing a new generation of excellent artists.
Well, here are eight Chinese musicians you might not have heard of yet, but they are definitely carving out a space for themselves in the Chinese music scene.
裘德 Jude Chiu
Fresh off winning this year’s Golden Melody Award for Best Composer, Jude Chiu has become one of the most exciting names in contemporary Mandopop. After debuting in 2018, Chiu quickly built a following on NetEase Cloud Music (China’s largest music streaming platform) before venturing into the mainstream through music competition shows.
Take a listen to his 2021 album The Last Aquarium, where Chiu balances his lullaby-like voice with theatrical songwriting in a concept album where water becomes a metaphor for vulnerability, change, and power.
窦靖童 Leah Dou
If Leah Dou’s name doesn’t ring a bell, her parents probably will. Her mother is Mandopop icon Faye Wong, while her father, Dou Wei, is one of the pioneers of Chinese rock. But Leah isn’t just a nepo baby, and she rarely relies on her family name. She’s built a sound that is unmistakably her own, weaving dream pop, alternative R&B, and psychedelic rock into music that is effortlessly cool.
Her first entirely Mandarin album, Spring Outing, which features the hit single “Monday,” is the perfect place to start.
吕彦良 Matt Lv
Born in 2002, Matt Lv is the youngest artist on the list, but he’s been releasing original music online since he was just 15. By 19, he had already received a Golden Melody Award nomination for Best New Artist. Early in his career, Lv declared that he’d win a Grammy before turning 25. But after appearing on numerous music competition shows and collaborating with artists he once admired from afar, he laughed off the bold prediction as “putting the cart before the horse, and it shouldn’t be taken seriously.”
The same self-awareness runs through his latest album, ME?, a coming-of-age story that explores identity and ambition through a mix of funk, R&B, soul, and hip-hop. The Grammy may have to wait, but he’s definitely on the right track!
黄之仪 Kyra Zilver
If there’s one artist on this list who deserves far more international attention, it’s rapper Kyra Zilver. She made her first public appearance on The Rap of China 2022, where she quickly stood out thanks to her unique aesthetic. Rather than following conventional hip-hop trends, Kyra leaned into shimmering synth-pop tunes, Y2K nostalgia, and retrofuturism.
Check out her collaborative album APEX: 2045, released with APEX MUSIC, which perfectly captures what it’s like to go for a midnight joyride in a cyberpunk city.
夏之禹 Young Shar
It’s misleading to call him a rapper; Young Shar is just as much a poet as he is a musician. His writing talent is almost above his talent for composing catchy tunes. So, to understand the magic of Young Shar, you’d first have to understand Chinese. Since his earliest releases, he has approached hip-hop as a storytelling medium, creating concept-driven projects that refuse to conform.
His 2023 album Young Fresh Chin II is arguably his finest work yet. A deeply moving portrait of ordinary lives in small-town China, it is filled with quiet frustrations and perseverance. Unsurprisingly, it’s not unlike watching one of Jia Zhangke’s films.
郑润泽 Runze Zheng
Among the artists on this list, Runze Zheng is probably the closest thing to a mainstream star. Since debuting in 2018, he’s collected multiple music awards and completed nationwide sold-out tours. His breakout single “于是” became an instant hit on NetEase Cloud Music and currently has over 50 million streams. With heartfelt serenades about youth and first love wrapped in catchy, polished productions, you can definitely hear echoes of the 2000s Mandopop giants in Runze Zheng’s music.
棱镜 Prism
The only band on the list, Prism has earned respect from both indie audiences and mainstream listeners. Their singles “这是我一生中最勇敢的瞬间” and “总有一天你会出现在我身边” became massive hits thanks to their delicate melodies and lyrics. Sonically, they occupy a territory that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Midwestern emo record.
While those hit singles introduced the band to a wider audience, their debut album 偶然黄昏见 (Unexpected Twilight) is where their songwriting truly shines, capturing the uncertainty of young love with remarkable tenderness. Doesn’t listening to Prism feel like soaring through misty clouds during a sunshower? Well, fun fact: Prism’s lead vocalist is also a professional aircraft mechanic.
陈婧霏 Jingfei Chen
Last, but certainly not least, is Jingfei Chen, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Chinese music. Rather than recalling the god-tier 2000s musicians, Chen’s music feels more like an echo of the ’90s Cantopop stars. There’s an old-school warmth to her voice, with an unadulterated authenticity. Her voice is smoky and sultry, like a cup of sweet fruit tea.
Chen’s music journey is just as compelling. After graduating from Tsinghua University with a degree in finance and completing a master’s program in Spain, Chen began pursuing a music career from scratch at age 27. Her self-titled debut album, released in 2020, immediately solidified her as one of China’s best rising singer-songwriters, with each track unfolding like an arthouse film.
If you’ve been following Chinese music, you might’ve noticed that all of the artists above are NetEase Cloud Musicians, artists who have signed exclusive distribution agreements with the platform. NetEase has become one of China’s largest incubators for emerging musicians. As of 2025, it hosts more than 800,000 registered musicians, from superstars to indie newcomers, and even AI-generated musicians.
In other words, China’s music scene isn’t running out of talent; it’s evolving. With the rise of music competition shows, streaming platforms, and social media fandom culture, aspiring musicians have more ways to build an audience without following the traditional industry playbook. The golden age of Chinese music may be over, but a new generation of artists is making a strong case for the beginning of a diamond age.
Cover image via @黄之仪KyraZilver/Weibo
