RADII Interviews

A RADII Conversation with Novel Fergus, Hong Kong’s Hip Hop Poet

“Honestly, I don’t understand the mindset of the wealthy because I’m personally not one of them. So, I wrote a song using my identity as a performer and as an ordinary person like myself” — Novel Fergus.

Hong Kong rapper Novel Fergus, also the founder of record label Yack Studio, grew up in the working class neighborhood of Sham Shui Po, where he immersed himself in the city’s culture, from grassroots communities to local cinema. Spitting lyrical rhymes with authenticity and style, he makes music that combines his personal stories with the aesthetics of the Chinese language.

Novel Fergus’s sound has resonated with listeners, taking him from the underground music scene to the stage of AsiaWorld-Expo, one of Hong Kong’s major venues. Hong Kong’s hip hop poet sat down with RADII to share his lyrics and outlook before he performed at “852FES – Yu Lan Festival” on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Check out our written interview with him here.

Place, Time, and Purpose: The Genius of I. M. Pei

The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and the Louvre Pyramid in Paris have something in common that you might not be aware of! These iconic buildings, with their geometric forms of glass and steel, were both designed by Chinese American architect I. M. Pei. Celebrated as one of the greatest architects of the 20th and 21st centuries, his visionary designs have left an indelible mark on the skylines of major cities around the world. But what was his childhood like, and what inspired him to blend modernist principles with unique cultural elements?‘

I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture is on display at Hong Kong’s M+ Plus Museum until January 5, 2025.

In Conversation With: Lin Lin Jacobs of Jellymon and China Intl. Beauty Expo

Lin Lin is a designer, anthropologist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has spent time in London, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou all the while pioneering numerous innovative projects in experiential design, design, sustainability, beauty and wellness.

Previously a designer and anthropologist, Lin Lin has an impressive track record as a serial entrepreneur and creative. She was nominated and successfully completed the China Leadership Program at The Aspen Institute as the youngest fellow, endorsed by Davie Rubenstein in 2013.

She joined China International Beauty Expo in 2015, since then her contributions to innovation and sustainability efforts to the beauty industry have brought international awareness on the beauty industry in China. Lin Lin has been an active speaker and representative for China Beauty Industry around the world for several global conferences, such as the recent Chosun Asian Leadership Conference sitting on various entrepreneurship panels with distinguished leaders including Barack Obama and David Cameron. Interviewer: Brian Wong Videographer: Michael Ren + Leah Churchill Editor: Michael Ren RADII shares stories from the center of Chinese youth culture.

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CROSSxTALK: And the Oscar goes to… China?

This has been a surprising year for “Chinese” film representation during the Hollywood awards season — four movies with different types of ties to China have been stirring up conversation as they make the rounds of nominations and major awards.

So on March 25, we invited several industry experts to unpack with us the sometimes testy relationship between China and the global box office.

Now people who missed it on Clubhouse can listen in on our chat with producer Samantha Culp, science fiction award winner Chen Qiufan, and modern Chinese culture professor Michael Berry.

All three are also contributors to our mega movie list of 100 Movies to Understand China: https://radiichina.com/100-films/

Special thanks to: ➽ Samantha Culp (@samanthaculp), Chen Qiufan (@chenqiufan), and Michael Berry (@bairuiwen) ➽ Moderators: Brian Wong (@bwong), Jake Newby (@jake_newby), Greg Young (@gg.s.y), Mavis Lee (@mavylee) ➽ Host: Peggy Liu (@shanghaipeggy) and The China club https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/China

RADII shares stories from the center of Chinese youth culture.

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CROSSxTALK: China Hip Hop in Evolution

How important is hip hop music in China’s entertainment ecosystem?

We recently discussed this question with HARIKIRI — a producer known for his work with A-list artists such as Jay Park, Higher Brothers and Vinida Weng — and Wes Chen, long-time host of China’s most influential hip hop radio show, The Park.

The pair, who have been embedded within the Chinese hip hop scene for years, joined us us on Clubhouse last week to talk about hip hop’s underground roots, mainstream success and its uncertain future here in China.

Special thanks to:

➽ Wes Chen (@weschen24) & HARIKIRI (@harikiri)

➽ Moderators: Brian Wong (@bwong), Jake Newby (@jake_newby), Elaine Chow (@elaineis)

➽ Host: Peggy Liu (@shanghaipeggy) and the Inside Asia club

RADII shares stories from the center of Chinese youth culture.

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twitter_ https://twitter.com/RadiiChina

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In Conversation With: Peter Shiao of Immortal Studios

Peter Shiao has always lived one foot in the ancient world of Kung Fu, as the son of one of the most prolific and respected writers of the wuxia (martial arts) genre. After a career that spans politics, finance, and movie production, he has now decided to dedicate his energies to furthering understanding between the East and the West through Wuxia. Immortal Studios, of which he is the Founder and CEO, brings to life stories of martial arts fantasy and aims to create a media universe that will inspire people to cultivate the hero within.

Find out more about Immortal Studios and their modern wuxia storyverse here: https://www.immortal-studios.com/

RADII shares stories from the center of Chinese youth culture.

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instagram_ https://www.instagram.com/radii.china/

twitter_ https://twitter.com/RadiiChina

facebook_https://www.facebook.com/radiichina