Gai's New Album ‘Dou Hong' Puts a Cyberpunk Spin on Chinese Rap
-
Loading... - Anika White
- 08 Jun 2022
- 270 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
2022 is shaping up to be a productive year for Sichuanese rapper Gai. In addition to releasing the introspective tune ‘Weiyuan Story’ in February and announcing his participation in the next season of Rap of China, the artist has dropped his fourth album, Dou Hong.
Its 13 tracks include two lauded singles: The aforementioned ‘Weiyuan Story’ and ‘Clouds in the Mountains,’ the latter of which was performed at New Generation: Hip Hop Project in 2021.
Combining Gai’s lush lyricism with futuristic electronic influences, Dou Hong is comprised of a diverse range of sounds, from dreamy autotuned tracks such as the album’s namesake song to darker, harder beats, like ‘Not Friendly.’
Speaking of which, May 7 saw the launch of the official music video for ‘Not Friendly.’ Mere weeks prior, Gai teased fans by releasing behind-the-scenes snaps of the MV, which is set in Chongqing, on Weibo.
Colloquially known as ‘Chtlanta (Chongqing + Atlanta)’ or ‘é‡ç‰¹å…°å¤§’, Chongqing is where Gai launched his rap career — hence the choice of setting for the music video, which also stars members of Chongqing hip hop label Go$h.
While showcasing the ‘gang component’ of Gai’s identity as a rapper, ‘Not Friendly’ gifts us with stunning aerial views of the city and neon-lit underground scenes. Read More...
