Jay Chou, hailed globally as the “King of Mandopop”, along with his record label, JVR Music, have signed with Universal Music Greater China.
The Universal Music Group division secured the global marketing and distribution rights for Chou’s music catalog and future projects. The deal will also support emerging talents from JVR Music, including artists such as Patrick Brasca and Young (Cao Yang).
UMG says the addition of Jay Chou to its artist roster, particularly following his placement on the IFPI’s 2022 Global Album Sales Chart, highlights its “commitment to elevating Mandopop music on the international stage.”
“It is with immense pride and excitement that we welcome Jay Chou, an icon of our times, into the Universal Music family. This partnership is more than a milestone for us; it’s a celebration of Jay’s extraordinary artistry and global appeal,” said Timothy Xu, the recently appointed Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Greater China.
“We are deeply honored to be entrusted with his musical legacy and are eager to help showcase his remarkable talent to a broader global audience,” Xu added.
“This partnership is more than a milestone for us; it’s a celebration of Jay’s extraordinary artistry and global appeal.”
Timothy Xu, Universal Music Greater China
Chou has been a key figure in the Mandarin music scene since his debut in 2000 with his self-titled album, JAY. He has since released 15 studio albums to date. Chou’s 2022 release, Greatest Works of Art, made him not only the first Mandarin artist to break into the top 10 of the IFPI Global Artist Chart, but also the first to top the Global Album Sales Chart.
During the course of his career, Chou has been on eight world tours, performing a total of 378 concerts across Asia, America, Europe, and Australia.
Chou is the record holder of 15 Golden Melody Awards. In 2003, Time Magazine named him the “New King of Asian Pop”. He has nearly 2.8 million subscribers on Spotify and 2.9 million subscribers on YouTube.
In addition to his role as a performing artist, Chou is also recognized as a songwriter, having composed and produced all his songs. Since 2013, Universal Music Publishing Group has been the global publisher for Jay Chou and JVR, managing their entire song catalog.
Jay Chou’s impact extends beyond music into film and art, with notable achievements in directing, acting, and collaborations with auction houses. His directorial debut, Secret, garnered multiple awards. Chou subsequently ventured into Hollywood with roles in The Green Hornet and Now You See Me 2. He has also collaborated with auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s as a curator.
“Aligning with UMG in this strategic partnership marks a new chapter for Jay and JVR towards our vision of elevating Mandarin pop music globally.”
JR Yang, JVR Music
In 2007, Chou founded label and artist management agency JVR Music with Vincent Fang and JR Yang.
Yang, the CEO of JVR Music, said: “Aligning with UMG in this strategic partnership marks a new chapter for Jay and JVR towards our vision of elevating Mandarin pop music globally. Leveraging UMG’s extensive global network enables us to amplify Jay’s artistic impact and the diversity of our artist roster on a global scale. We are excited about harnessing this alliance to transcend cultural boundaries and cement the international presence of our unique musical heritage.”
Adam Granite, Executive Vice President, Market Development at Universal Music Group, also commented on the partnership, saying, “Welcoming Jay Chou and JVR to the Universal Music Group is a strategic triumph and a cultural victory. This partnership further cements our commitment to nurturing diverse talents and introducing them to audiences worldwide. Jay’s exceptional artistry and JVR’s creative prowess align perfectly with our mission to enrich the global music landscape.”
UMG’s deal with Jay Chou comes as the major continues to expand its presence in the Chinese music scene. Last month, Universal Music Greater China renewed its contract with Chinese pop megastar Eason Chan, having already worked together for over 19 years.
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