Chinese rapper Kris Wu signs to Universal record label after historic deal
Hip-hop singer-songwriter is the first ethnic Chinese artist to join the famous label, whose recording artists include Kanye West, Eminem, and Lady Gaga
China-born singer-songwriter Kris Wu has been signed by Universal Music Group (UMG), becoming the first ethnic Chinese artist to join the prestigious international label.
Universal is considered one of the “big three” record labels, along with Sony Music and Warner Music Group, and is also home to the likes of Kanye West, Eminem, and Lady Gaga.
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UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge said: “Kris is an incredibly talented recording artist, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur. I’m thrilled that he is joining the UMG family and honoured that we will have the opportunity to build upon his remarkably successful career.”
Wu said: “It’s a pleasure to be part of this collaboration with Universal Music Group. I’m enjoying the opportunity to share my vision of music. As a singer-songwriter and producer, the album I’m working on now is being elaborately produced and I will keep working to deliver more beautiful works to my audience around the world.”
Wu, whose childhood was split between Guangzhou and Vancouver, made his debut as a member of K-pop boy band EXO, but left the group to start a solo career in 2014. Last year he served as a judge on Chinese reality show The Rap of China and positioned himself as a hip-hop artist, earning a huge following.
Cherry Leong from UMG told the South China Morning Post that under the new international agreement, Wu would soon be releasing singles recorded in different languages and a variety of styles. Depending on the style of the singles, distribution would be handled by UMG subsidiaries such as Interscope Geffen A&M, Island Records UK or UMG China.
