It's difficult not to spot westernization in major cities of China. As a matter of fact you can find the influence of the Western world in almost every aspect of culture, especially when it comes to entertainment.
Yet today, Chinese pop music dominates the playlist on most Chinese iPods. Whether this is due to the popularity of KTV is up to the individual to decide. When discussing pop music in China, many people talk about musicians from Taiwan, but what makes Taiwan so special when it comes to music? Is it that they are just born good singers or do they have better structures to support aspiring talents in Taiwan?
Miss Qin is a music producer and a singer in Beijing. She explains, "In the music business in Taiwan they learn from Westerners many years earlier than mainlanders. So their music industry is developing better than it is on the mainland. In my childhood most of the music I heard was from Taiwan. Now many Taiwan music companies cultivate emerging singers from the mainland. The mainland singers can develop their careers in Taiwan. It's healthy competition."
In this case, the westernization, which can be found in the music business, means technical and economical progress. But also the sound of the music itself is influenced by many different music styles and artists from Western countries like the UK or the USA. Many Chinese people listen to foreign music and learn from it.
"If you ask me who influenced my music the most, will you laugh at me when I say Michael Jackson? No doubt his sound allowed me to realize the charm of rhythm."
Miss Qin, whose artist name is 'Nini', originally comes from Liaoning Province and started to produce music in 2006. Her aim is to combine traditional Chinese sounds and melodies with rhythms usually found in Western music.
"I like all styles of music, but R&B is my favorite. As a young Chinese woman born in the 1980s, I hope to mix the Chinese elements to it. I always try to find a way to mix the Chinese and foreign styles; what's more, it is accepted by ordinary people."
Chinese pop music was first influenced by Buck Clayton who was credited with bringing American Jazz to China. His music gained popularity in nightclubs and dancehalls across major cities in the 1920s. The influence of Western music gave more opportunities to musicians to express their feelings and ideas in many new and different styles.
Music could be seen as an international language. It connects people and countries and it reflects the positive and negative aspects of our society.
"In my opinion, music is the reaction of our lives and it is spiritual food. Besides I hope people will find the vitality of the Chinese young guys. Their ideas are open and they dare to think without losing the traditional spirit."
(CRI April 22, 2009)
