Built from tradition

Zhou has built his career by fusing traditional Chinese music with contemporary pop. His songs frequently incorporate elements from classical Chinese poetry and centuries-old folk melodies. His work's signature feature is the integration of Chinese opera techniques into modern pop arrangements, a style that has become his trademark.

Zhou has been expanding his artistic approach by collaborating with international musicians. These cross-cultural projects maintain his characteristic Chinese roots while exploring new global influences.

During this year's Spring Festival Gala by China Media Group, Zhou's performance of Eagle and Orchid blended Chinese folk music with Peruvian melodies.

"I'm open to all opportunities to fuse our music and other cultures' styles. But these collaborations can't be forced. Our performance with Juan Diego Florez at the Gala was truly serendipitous."

The challenge was in maintaining the essence of both the Peruvian Song of the Eagle and China's Shaanbei (northern part of Shaanxi province) folk song Lan Huahua (Orchid) while creating harmony.

"We experimented extensively to preserve each piece's emotional core and melodic character. These distinct narratives shared enough resonance to blend beautifully," Zhou says.

"Such organic collaborations will naturally emerge when the time is right. I hope to share more Chinese music with global audiences, of which the first step of being heard is always worth taking," he says.

Born in 1992, Zhou grew up in a family from a mountain village in Hunan province. Up until the age of 6, he was often left at home by his parents when music became his most precious companion.

He describes himself as an introvert, which "isn't easy", he says.

He uses a metaphor about personal growth: "Many people feel like they become side characters in someone else's story, but everyone starts as a supporting character. You need to play those roles first before you can start writing your own script. You can't always be the side character. It's a slow process. I can't give you answers because I'm still searching too."

Zhou spent over 10 years going from being a "regular guy" to one of China's biggest music stars. He began his career by singing cover songs on social media. He gradually gained followers and caught the attention of The Voice of China, a spinoff of The Voice, the US television singing competition.

With his world tour sold out everywhere, Chinese fans abroad say the shows feel like they are celebrating Chinese New Year. "We haven't seen this many Chinese people together in so long," many concertgoers told him.

"To me, that's the highest compliment. In our culture, when someone sings or dances exceptionally well, people say 'You should perform at the Spring Festival Gala!' When audiences use this comparison, I feel incredibly proud," Zhou says.

After graduating from high school, Zhou was faced with family and academic pressures and he abandoned his musical aspirations to become a medical student in Ukraine. After a year, he decided to quit and applied to the Lviv National Music Academy.

The singer says he wants to "give people that feeling of home and warmth" through this world tour. "It's what I missed most when I was overseas. If I can be a small part of creating that warmth even for a brief moment, I believe it can plant seeds of comfort in their hearts and help them become their best selves," he says.

Contact the writer at minluzhang@chinadailyusa.com