The music style of "Zhong guo feng", popularized by Jay Chou, has reversed the music market in China which was full of western style music.

"Zhong guo feng", which is literally translated as "China Wind", features traditional Chinese instruments and Western instruments, sometimes written in the Pentatonic Scale. Lyrics maybe in the form of Chinese poetry and discuss themes related with Chinese history and folklore. Each person has a different understanding about "China Wind", which gives us a feeling: when hearing the music, you will associate it with Chinese characteristics, Chinese elements and Chinese taste.

In the latest album of Ma Tianyu, a song named Qing Yi refreshes our mind with Chinese style. It originated from the famous play of Peking opera “Wu Jia Po”, and many characteristics of Chinese operas are combined in it. The most interesting thing is that in his MV, he plays two characters separately: Qingyi and Laosheng.

Hong Kong and Taiwan music field stirs up "China Wind"

These songs with Chinese-style are of course not the first. In the 1980s, there has been a "Northwest Wind" blowing in the Mainland. Several years ago, a singer named Dao Lang with his northwester style music was popular among Chinese. However, "China Wind" in the present Chinese music field mainly refers to Hong Kong and Taiwan musicians such as Jay Chao, David Tao, Lee-Hom Wang etc. After years of imitating and learning from western music like R&B and rap, they combine these western music elements with Chinese music elements and create a new style of music.

Jay: "A 'China Wind' song is a must in every of my album"

"A 'China Wind' song is a must in every of my album" Jay's promise is not a denial to his previous rap music, but meet the needs of current Chinese pop music market. Jay's "China Wind" music such as Faraway, Chrysanthemum Terrace always top the latest music download and CRBT download charts. From wife in his first album to Nunchucks and Drangon Fist, Jay let us know that Rap could be like this in Chinese way.

Jay's "China Wind" music cannot succeed without his lyricist Vincent Fang, who fill many of his melodies, such as Wife, Nunchucks, East Wind Breaks, Chrysanthemum Terrace, Faraway etc. In 2000, Chou began his singing career with his debut CD Jay. Since then, Fang has been responsible for more than half of the lyrics in all Chou's albums. Although Fang receives relatively little media limelight and he is known as "Chou's lyricist", the public recognizes Fang's individual talent. Fang said, "The ancient poetry flavor in lyrics is not accidental, one's characters and value are directly shown in his works. I have possessed a strong nationalist consciousness, always concerning about the subjects about nation, tradition and culture. When this cultural consciousness is combined with music, lyrics with so called "China Wind" element are naturally created.