Li Ni, Bilibili’s deputy chairwoman and chief operating officer, said: “Rap music is popular among our users. We want the show to reflect Chinese rappers’ mindsets and their lives. We also want to break the stereotype about hip-hop music, which used to be associated with rebellion and profanities.<\/p>\n
“This Western art form has been localized in China, with rappers talking about their lives and expressing their views on issues of public concern.”<\/p>\n
Rap for Youth, directed by Yan Min, has made its mark by featuring young competitors whose music addresses issues such as mental health, campus bullying and prejudice against women.<\/p>\n
A promising rapper to appear on the show is Zhong Qi, better known by his stage name TangoZ, who comes from Hangzhou<\/a>, capital of Zhejiang province, and raps in the local dialect.<\/p>\n He won applause for one of his songs, Love Paradise, which is about the city. He wrote it in 2018, when he decided to take part in a rap competition staged by a local radio station.<\/p>\n “I wanted the opportunity to perform at an outdoor music festival\uff0dand I made it,” TangoZ said.<\/p>\n He wrote the song using a combination of the Hangzhou dialect and English because he wanted it to be different.<\/p>\n “There are rappers performing in dialects from Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces, but it’s rare for someone to rap in the China Hangzhou<\/a> dialect,” he said.<\/p>\n “I grew up with the dialect, which has unique tones, articulation and rhythm. It’s very interesting to rap in it, which is different from rapping in Mandarin.”<\/p>\n He added that it is good to see more people who appreciate rap in dialect, which is keeping local culture alive.<\/p>\n Tang Huan, a fan of Rap for Youth, who is also from Hangzhou, said: “I’d never listened before to anyone rapping in the Hangzhou dialect, which is so cool. This rapper really cares about the culture.”<\/p>\n TangoZ, 32, first listened to hip-hop at middle school. A big fan of Taiwan pop star Jay Chou, he is impressed by the way Chou raps in his songs.<\/p>\n “I vividly remember learning to sing one of his hits, Nunchucks, and imitating his rapping over and over again,” he said.<\/p>\n After graduating from Civil Aviation Flight University of China with a major in air traffic control, TangoZ works by day as an air traffic controller in Hangzhou. He wanted to quit his job and become a professional rapper, but changed his mind because he could not make a living from it.<\/p>\n Although his parents have no idea about rapping, they support their son’s passion for the art form.<\/p>\n TangoZ, who now has some 50 original songs to his name, is good at observing life and committing whatever inspires him to lyrics.<\/p>\n “For example, when I take a bus and see people on the streets, I think of verses in the Hangzhou dialect and write down the good ones,” he said.<\/p>\n Before TangoZ took part in Rap for Youth, winning the competition was his priority. However, now he enjoys spending time with other rappers and focusing on new material.<\/p>\n “What I love about the show is that it not only showcases rappers’ skills, but also values the messages we deliver through our work,” he said.<\/p>\n Media Contact<\/span>
Company Name:<\/strong> The Information Office of Hangzhou Municipal Government<\/a>
Contact Person:<\/strong> Cai Jingwen
Email:<\/strong> Send Email<\/a>
Phone:<\/strong> 0510-68559077
Country:<\/strong> China
Website:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.ehangzhou.gov.cn\/<\/a><\/p>\n