Zhao Muyang

Campus ballads enjoyed brief prosperity in the middle of the nineteenth century, during which  time commercial society was experiencing a boom in China. However, the musical language of the ballad didn't truly attain independence until after the year 2000.

The most distinguished representatives who have combined ballads with national music are Zhang Shuan and the feral child band led by Xiao Suo. Influencing many other artists, they set an example by taking inspiration from western folk songs and exploring new forms of folk music. Zhuang Shuan, Xiaosuo, and their friends launched a bar in March 2003.

Su Yang, who is one of the pioneers of rock music in Ningxia, later switched his focus to processing and exploring folk songs. In addition, Zhao Muyang, also from Ningxia, has integrated western songs and styles formerly in vogue with his singing.

Wan Xiaoli, who has deep roots in popular music and rock music, has been greatly influenced by popular music in Hong Kong and Taiwan and ballads on the mainland. Another mainstream ballad representative is Zhou Yunpeng, who is a wandering singer and also a blind poet. His work named Chinese Children, classified in the category of critical realism, triggered a sympathetic response from a wide range of people.

Hu Ma is a representative of the alternative ballad, and creates music similar to artists like Weird Folk and Free Folk in America and Europe. The most outstanding representative is Xiao He, whose music differs greatly from countryman Wan Xiaoli.

Jumping on the Olympic bandwagon, the Beijing Ballad will definitely herald rosy prospect.Infinite possibilities are just beginning.

Editor:Hu Zhicheng