Famous C-pop artists such as Jay Chou, G.E.M., and Jackson Wang are renowned worldwide. These artists blend creative lyrics, bold fashion, and diverse music styles to create a unique sound. Their talent and innovation are giving Mandarin and Cantonese songs a fresh global appeal.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- C-pop is a popular music genre from China.
- C-pop blends traditional Chinese sounds with modern genres, such as pop, R&B, and hip-hop, creating a unique and globally recognised sound.
- Some of the most talented and influential C-pop artists include Zhang Li-Yin, Jay Chou, and Eason Chan.
- Popular Chinese pop singers are redefining the industry with their creativity, emotional storytelling, and diverse musical styles.
Famous C-pop artists
Thanks to its talented and attractive Chinese performers, C-pop has become a global phenomenon. Below are some of the most popular Chinese pop singers who are making waves around the world.
1. Zhang Li-Yin
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Zhang Liyin
- Date of birth: 28 February 1989
- Age: 36 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Chengdu, China
Zhang Liyin is a Chinese singer and songwriter. She sings in Mandarin and Korean, becoming the first foreign artist to win the Best Newcomer award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. She has released two studio albums, I Will (2008) and The Tide of Life (2023), as well as 22 singles and four soundtrack appearances.
Some of her singles include:
- Timeless
- Moving On
- Not Alone
- Heaven
- Agape
2. Jay Chou
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jay Chou Chieh-lun
- Date of birth: 18 January 1979
- Age: 46 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Linkou District, Taipei, Taiwan
Jay is a Taiwanese singer-songwriter, actor, director, and businessman of Hoklo descent. Both of his parents were secondary school teachers. As a child, he loved recording sounds and songs with his tape recorder and became interested in music theory and cello lessons in third grade.
He was an only child who enjoyed playing the piano, imitating TV actors, and performing magic tricks. His favourite composer has always been Frédéric Chopin. Jay is widely recognised as one of the most influential figures in the Chinese-speaking world and is known as the King of Mandopop. Some of his singles include:
- Hair Like Snow
- The Promised Love
- All the Way North
- Failure at Love
- Still Wandering
3. G.E.M.
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Gloria Tang Sze-wing
- Date of birth: 16 August 1991
- Age: 34 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Shanghai, China
Gloria Tang Sze-wing, known as G.E.M., is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Hong Kong. She was born in Shanghai and grew up in Hong Kong. She is well-known for her strong voice, personal lyrics, and diverse range of musical styles.
She is recognised as a leading figure in Chinese popular music and one of the most prominent artists in the Greater China region. G.E.M. began her career in 2008 under Hummingbird Music with the release of her self-titled extended play in Cantonese.
Throughout her career, she has endorsed several international and regional brands, including Calvin Klein and CrossFire. She is also a devout Christian who has released Christian songs, including Gloria, Heartbeat, and Walk on Water. Her other singles include:
- Where Did U Go
- Long Distance
- Light Years Away
- Walk on Water
- The One and Only
4. Eason Chan
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Eason Chan Yick-shun
- Date of birth: 27 July 1974
- Age: 51 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: British Hong Kong
Eason Chan is a Hong Kong singer and actor. He is known as one of the most popular and influential artists in both C-pop and M-pop. Chan went to England at the age of 12 to study and train in vocals at the Royal Academy of Music, earning Grade 8 vocal certifications.
He has won the “Ultimate Male Singer – Gold” award ten times and frequently receives recognition at Asia’s music awards. He has also won multiple prestigious Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan. Some of Eason Chan’s albums include:
- Shall We Dance? Shall We Talk! (2001)
- Listen to Eason Chan (2007)
- L.O.V.E. (2018)
- Special Thanks to .. (2002)
- Black, White, Gray (2003)
- Don’t Want to Let Go (2008)
5. Silence Wang
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Silence Wang
- Date of birth: 17 September 1989
- Age: 36 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Shenyang, China
Silence Wang is among the famous Chinese music artists and record producers. He debuted in 2010 with the album Dreams Come True. He has since released 11 albums. Silence is known for his diverse musical styles; he is one of the most-streamed Mandopop artists from mainland China on Spotify and is of Manchu descent.
Wang showed a strong interest in music from a young age. He began studying classical music in junior high and later attended the Middle School of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music during his high school years. Some of his studio albums include:
- Dreams Come True
- Gravitation
- Legendary Movement
- Control Monster
- The Greatest Showman
6. Jolin Tsai
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jolin Tsai I-lin
- Date of birth: 15 September 1980
- Age: 45 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Taipei County
Tsai was born in Hsinchu City, Taipei County, Taiwan, and has an older sister. She is a Taiwanese singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress, widely known as the “Queen of C-Pop”. She is also one of the most influential figures in Chinese-speaking pop culture.
Tsai rose to fame in 1998 after winning a singing competition organised by MTV Mandarin. Her debut album, 1019 (1999), established her as a teen idol with a large teenage fanbase. Here are some of Jolin Tsai’s songs.
- Say Love You
- Marry Me Today
- Sun Will Never Set
- I Won’t Last a Day Without You
- The Great Artist
7. Wang Leehom
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Wang Leehom
- Date of birth: 17 May 1976
- Age: 49 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Rochester, New York, United States
Wang Leehom, also known as Leehom Wang, is an American singer-songwriter, actor, producer, and film director. His music blends hip-hop and R&B with traditional Chinese sounds.
Wang was born to a Taiwanese American family. He graduated from Williams College. Since his debut in 1995, he has released 25 albums, selling over 60 million copies. He has also won four Golden Melody Awards from 19 nominations.
Wang is also an environmental activist who dedicated his album Change Me to raising eco-awareness among Chinese youth. He serves as a longtime ambassador for World Vision in Taiwan and Malaysia. Wang Leehom’s songs include:
- The People of the Dragon
- Mistakes in the Flower Field
- Need Someone By Your Side
- Lose Myself
8. Faye Wong
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Faye Wong
- Date of birth: 8 August 1969
- Age: 56 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
Faye Wong is among the famous female Chinese pop stars known for their great talents. She was born in Beijing and moved to British Hong Kong at the age of 18. Wong debuted with the Cantonese album Shirley Wong in 1989. She became known for blending alternative music with mainstream Chinese pop.
Since the late 1990s, Wong has primarily recorded in Mandarin, with a few songs in English and Japanese. She has also released many Buddhist-themed songs. Her famous singles include:
- Eyes on Me
- One Step Away
- Forever Young
- My People, My Country
- Qing Ping Diao
9. Xu Ziyin
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Xu Ziyin
- Date of birth: 6 May 1996
- Age: 29 (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Xiamen, China
Xu Ziyin, also known as Roada Xu, is a Chinese singer, songwriter, and actress signed with T Entertainment. She is best known for taking part in the girl group survival shows Youth With You Season 2 and Girls Planet 999.
Xu began singing at a young age and has shared many song covers on the music platform 5sing since 2008. Her soundtrack appearances include Love Letter and Say Yes.
10. Liu Yu
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Liu Yu
- Date of birth: 24 August 2000
- Age: 25 (as of 2025)
- , Jing County, Anhui, China
Liu Yu is a Chinese singer, dancer, and model, best known for finishing first on the final episode of Produce Camp 2021. He became a member of the Chinese boy group INTO1 and made his solo debut on 22 November 2020, with the single Docked.
Liu Yu grew up under his father’s care after his parents divorced. He studied dance and was admitted as the 26th-ranked student in the country to the Beijing Dance Academy. However, he had to withdraw due to injuries that prevented him from attending. Liu Yu has released several singles, including:
- Sleepless Flight
- Willow-Leaf Saber
- Be at Ease
- Thousand Years Old
- A song that I used to hum when I was young
FAQs
C-pop artists are renowned for their talent, creativity, and ability to seamlessly blend traditional Chinese sounds with modern music styles. Here are some fast facts you should know.
What exactly is C-pop music?
C-pop is a genre that originated in China and includes songs sung mainly in Mandarin, Cantonese, or other Chinese dialects. It combines elements of traditional Chinese music with modern styles, such as pop, R&B, and hip-hop.
What does C-pop stand for?
C-pop stands for Chinese pop music. It refers to popular music produced by Chinese artists and performed mainly in Mandarin, Cantonese, or other Chinese dialects.
Wrapping up
C-pop artists continue to grow and share Chinese music with audiences worldwide. Their creativity and hard work demonstrate how music can unite people across cultures. Their voice and choreography have elevated their performances on global stages.
Tuko.co.ke has shared an article about the youngest K-pop idols and their career growth over time. Stars like BoA, Jang Wonyoung, Kang Ji-young, and Kim So-hyun began their careers as children or teenagers and underwent years of rigorous training.
Even with a tough start, many of them have become successful in music and acting and are now famous around the world. K-pop companies often train young people from the age of ten, a common practice in the industry that helps create skilled performers.
Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
