Fame's still the right number for star Chou
Source: Agencies |
December 8, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE number 11 seems to be a lucky number for Mandarin pop's biggest star, Jay Chou.
Chou released "Wow," his 11th Mandarin album on 11/11/11 and 2011 marks his 11th year in show business.
In that time, he is said to have revolutionized the business and influenced a generation of musicians and songwriters who have followed.
Although his musical style is loosely categorized as R&B or pop, the 32-year-old Taiwanese singer/songwriter is a classically trained pianist who often injects classical music and traditional Chinese instruments into his tracks.
With "Wow," Chou says he is "getting back to basics" and making music for a younger audience.
"I believe that a musician should have a child's heart," Chou said.
"I've made a lot of more sophisticated tracks in the last 10 albums. There were a lot of songs that adults love. The 11th album is more for the kids."
Since becoming a huge star and developing a following across Asia, Chou has fallen victim to the growing paparazzi culture in Taiwan. He is often followed by photographers and reporters who go to great lengths to dig up stories about his personal life.
Chou doesn't hide his disdain for the paparazzi, and he vents his frustrations in lyrics - or in the case of the music video for the album's title track, by blowing up a fictitious paparazzi "office building."
It's an "immature" thought, he admits, but one he says will resonate with other celebrities. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way," he said.
Chou has also ventured into acting and directing. His directorial debut "Secret" in 2007 is a story about star-crossed high school sweethearts who reconnect, helped by a magic piano. He revealed that a sequel is planned for next year.
Playing Kato alongside Seth Rogen's "Green Hornet" gave Jay Chou his first big Hollywood break and more offers have followed.
But he's hoping "Green Hornet 2" gets the green light so he can reprise the Kato role. Until then, Chou can be seen in the "Viral Factor," co-starring Hong Kong actor Nicholas Tse, in January.
Chou released "Wow," his 11th Mandarin album on 11/11/11 and 2011 marks his 11th year in show business.
In that time, he is said to have revolutionized the business and influenced a generation of musicians and songwriters who have followed.
Although his musical style is loosely categorized as R&B or pop, the 32-year-old Taiwanese singer/songwriter is a classically trained pianist who often injects classical music and traditional Chinese instruments into his tracks.
With "Wow," Chou says he is "getting back to basics" and making music for a younger audience.
"I believe that a musician should have a child's heart," Chou said.
"I've made a lot of more sophisticated tracks in the last 10 albums. There were a lot of songs that adults love. The 11th album is more for the kids."
Since becoming a huge star and developing a following across Asia, Chou has fallen victim to the growing paparazzi culture in Taiwan. He is often followed by photographers and reporters who go to great lengths to dig up stories about his personal life.
Chou doesn't hide his disdain for the paparazzi, and he vents his frustrations in lyrics - or in the case of the music video for the album's title track, by blowing up a fictitious paparazzi "office building."
It's an "immature" thought, he admits, but one he says will resonate with other celebrities. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way," he said.
Chou has also ventured into acting and directing. His directorial debut "Secret" in 2007 is a story about star-crossed high school sweethearts who reconnect, helped by a magic piano. He revealed that a sequel is planned for next year.
Playing Kato alongside Seth Rogen's "Green Hornet" gave Jay Chou his first big Hollywood break and more offers have followed.
But he's hoping "Green Hornet 2" gets the green light so he can reprise the Kato role. Until then, Chou can be seen in the "Viral Factor," co-starring Hong Kong actor Nicholas Tse, in January.
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