Who is Lan Lao? Chinese rapper topples Jay Chou to become most-streamed Mandarin singer
Advertisement
In 2024, the 27-year-old, who also goes by Skai IsYourGod, released his second album Ba fang lai cai – or Stacks from All Sides in English – which went viral on mainland China's TikTok-like platform Douyin. Today, his fame has spread to Hong Kong, Taiwan and other parts of Asia.
Here is what you need to know about Lan Lao.
Who is Lan Lao?
After graduating from university, Lan Lao took up odd jobs while creating music in his free time. Photo: Instagram/skaiisyourgod
The star's real name is unknown – Lan Lao is a nickname. In an interview with Hong Kong's East Week magazine, he claimed the name Lan Lao came to him in a dream.
Born in Huizhou, in China's southern Guangdong province, the rapper has said in interviews that he grew up strongly influenced by Lingnan, or Cantonese, culture.
After graduating from the Sichuan University of Media and Communications, he took up odd jobs while creating music in his free time. His first known creative appearance is a Douyin video in which he was promoting
Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce, according to fans.
Advertisement
His love of rap comes from influences such as Chengdu rapper Wang Yitai and global hip-hop stars Drake and Young Thug.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
China's first Legoland opens in Shanghai
A giant 26-metre (85-foot) Lego figure named Dada welcomed visitors to the new Legoland resort in Shanghai. The resort, which opened on July 5, is the first in China. It is one of 11 parks worldwide and was built with 85 million Lego bricks. Among the main attractions is Miniland, which replicates well-known sights using Lego bricks. It features landmarks across China, like Beijing's Temple of Heaven and Shanghai's Bund waterfront. There is also a boat tour through a historic Chinese water town built with Lego bricks. 'My first impression is it is a good recreation, like a real fairyland of Lego,' said Ji Yujia, a Lego fan who visited on opening day. The resort was developed in conjunction with the Shanghai government by Merlin Entertainments and the Lego Group. The resort also features performances by Legoland characters. Tickets start at 319 yuan (HK$349 or US$44).
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Labubu dolls boost Chinese toy doctors' businesses, with 1 fixing 100 in a month
The craze for the plush Chinese toy Labubu has boosted the careers of so-called toy doctors in China. A Shanghai 'toy doctor' nicknamed Heartman said he had fixed 100 Labubu toys in the past month and had to ask his wife to help and move to a bigger studio. He said repairs were 10 per cent of the price of the toy, which is considered fair because an ordinary Labubu toy retails at 99 yuan (US$14). Under repair: A 'toy doctor' sets about fixing one of the hugely popular creations. Photo: Douyin However, they sell for hundreds of yuan on the second-hand market. Rare versions can cost thousands of yuan. Labubu is a character of The Monsters family created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Chinese toymaker Pop Mart began working with Lung in 2019. Last year, The Monsters series became Pop Mart's most popular series, seeing a 726.6 per cent increase in revenue that reached 3.04 billion yuan. One of the reasons behind the craze is K-pop group Blackpink's member Lisa, who expressed her love for the toy. Another reason, according to Pop Mart's investor Wei Zhe, is the toy's portability.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Labubu dolls boost Chinese toy doctors' businesses, with 1 fixing 100 in a month
The craze for the plush Chinese toy Labubu has boosted the careers of so-called toy doctors in China. A Shanghai 'toy doctor' nicknamed Heartman said he had fixed 100 Labubu toys in the past month and had to ask his wife to help and move to a bigger studio. He said repairs were 10 per cent of the price of the toy, which is considered fair because an ordinary Labubu toy retails at 99 yuan (US$14). Under repair: A 'toy doctor' sets about fixing one of the hugely popular creations. Photo: Douyin However, they sell for hundreds of yuan on the second-hand market. Rare versions can cost thousands of yuan. Labubu is a character of The Monsters family created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Chinese toymaker Pop Mart began working with Lung in 2019. Last year, The Monsters series became Pop Mart's most popular series, seeing a 726.6 per cent increase in revenue that reached 3.04 billion yuan. One of the reasons behind the craze is K-pop group Blackpink's member Lisa, who expressed her love for the toy. Another reason, according to Pop Mart's investor Wei Zhe, is the toy's portability.
