Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 469 A Phenomenal Population Storm
It was late at night for America.

With the highly anticipated release of "STAY", Alovers around the world launched a massive promotional campaign, and many streamers with ties to the music industry also had a team-building event.

Many streamers who received PR fees from Global Times, or simply wanted to ride the coattails of the World Men's Champion title to attract more viewers and increase their livestream subscribers, have already changed their livestream names to:

[AS×JB! A genius collaboration of top pop superstars! The explosive success of "STAY" reveals the secrets of contemporary internet fame!]

[Predicting a huge hit for STAY! Current World No. 1 vs. Former World No. 1! If you missed JB at 20, then you absolutely mustn't miss Alex Shen at 20!]

[The fastest lyrics analysis of "STAY" on the entire internet + hidden Easter eggs in the MV revealed, showcasing Alex's creative talent!]

[Insider information! Why did Alex insist on collaborating with JB? A music industry insider reveals shocking details, possibly stemming from a basketball game!]

[Take the challenge of listening to "STAY" on repeat 100 times! Comment with lyrics in the live chat for a chance to win a signed CD (Hats and sour grapes stay away)]

Everyone's advertising for STAY.

After all, he wasn't called the world's number one man for nothing.

Global's marketing matrix wasn't built for nothing.

As the world's largest music group, Universal can quickly promote a song or a person to the world if it wants to.

Shen Juan and "STAY," which were of exceptional value in their eyes, undoubtedly received such treatment.

Not only did it easily top the Twitter global trending list and trending in multiple countries, but it also became the headline news in the local entertainment sections of several European, American and East Asian countries, successfully breaking through the barriers of different circles and attracting more casual listeners to listen to the song, thus generating hype for Shen Juan and his highly anticipated AS3 album!

For example, on the YouTube platform.

A Black man sat in front of his computer wearing headphones, watching the music video playing on the screen with a look of utter awe.

"Brothers! What a wonderful day!"

"I, Shaq, am finally going to make a reaction video for Alex! Do you know who I'm talking about?"

"Alex Shen!"

"Winner of the 62nd Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Record of the Year! World Tour Box Office Record Holder! Currently the hottest pop superstar! Perhaps one of the greatest songwriters in history! The man with the most streamed singles on Soprano, Alex Shennnnn!!!"

"Oh my god! I, Shaq, am back to my old self! I can even make reaction videos for singers of this caliber!"

As the opening scene of the music video, in which Shen Juan is suspended in mid-air with time frozen, ends, Shen Juan's singing voice immediately begins.

The black man immediately pressed the pause button.

They went wild in front of the viewers in the live stream!
"I'm not kidding you!"

"I'm totally captivated by this guy's voice. If I went on a picnic with him, I wouldn't even focus on the food, man! If you had his face and his voice, you could just strike up a conversation with those girls and they'd strip naked and join you."

"Absolutely! Alex only needs to sing just one note, just one note! And your girl will be his! You know what I mean? This guy's voice is absolutely outrageous! Damn! Alex, you better stay away from my wife! I don't want to go into the octagon and fight with a superstar with over 100 million fans worldwide, because those Alovers will definitely tear me apart! I guarantee it! They'll definitely twist my head off and shove it into my beryllium salts! Then they'll shit, piss, and spit on my still-bleeding neck! Damn!"

After listening to another segment, the Black man pressed the pause button again and then excitedly stood up from his chair.

“Holysh”

"If your girlfriends heard this singing, they would definitely run off with him! I'm not joking, and I'm not flattering you. If your girlfriends could meet Alex in person and hear him sing in real life, they would absolutely betray you. Believe me, I, Shaq, never lie!"

"So if you want to know if your girlfriend is absolutely loyal to you, this is what you need to do!"

"Take her to listen to Alex's songs, take her to Alex's concert, and if she doesn't get excited and scream the whole time, then God bless you! You've found the perfect girlfriend! Forget all those plans, just kneel down and propose to her! That's true love!"

"But nine times out of ten, I'll feel sorry for you, bro, because it's just too hard not to fall for someone else! This guy can conquer every girl with his voice! Alex ShenDamn! This guy is the kind of guy who drives women crazy and leaves men feeling frustrated!"

"So never let your girlfriend or the person you like listen to Alex's songs, and never let them go to Alex's concerts, or it's all over. They will definitely fall in love with Alex! This is my motto for 2020: stay away from Alex, and your love will be stable!"

After the music video ended, the screen went completely dark.

The feeling of wanting more wasn't just in the mind of the excited black man who was already flushed, but also in the hearts of all the viewers in the live stream. So they started spamming "W" to express their appreciation, amazement and recognition of the song and the two singers.

This melody is just too damn catchy!
They hadn't heard such an exciting, danceable, and exhilarating song in a very, very long time!
Shaq's expression had changed from Li Kui to Guan Yu, but he was still rapping like crazy, showcasing his racial talent to the fullest!

It wasn't until long after the music video ended that he came to his senses, his tone full of admiration and praise: "Oh my god!"

"Although everyone has different standards for judging songs and different aesthetic preferences, this song 'STAY' is definitely the most awesome song I've heard this year! It may not be the best produced, nor the most ingenious, but it is absolutely the most awesome!"

"I, Shaq, am absolutely blown away, okay?!"

"Alex and JB are absolutely amazing! I can't even calmly describe these two men."

"So this song was written entirely by Alex? JB only wrote the lyrics for his verse?"

"Damn!!!"

"What kind of genius is this?!"

The barrage in the live broadcast room was also scrolling wildly.

[My dog ​​bowed down to the speakers the moment Alex opened his mouth! That voice is absolutely a gift from God!]

【This nigga W！！！】

[Shaq, your face is as red as a lobster! I seriously doubt whether it's you or your wife who gets horny just seeing Alex.]

Shaq said Alex's voice could drive women crazy, but all I see now is a black guy yelling.

[Alex, whom JB met through the NBA All-Star Game, is definitely the most valuable friend he's ever made!]

“This song will be played on the radio all spring and summer from now on.” Shaq replied to this comment he saw: “It’s definitely not just this spring and summer. By the time this song is out of fashion, we’ll probably all be going through menopause, buddy. You know what I mean?”

"I knew this song was going to dominate radio and streaming the moment it started! Plus, Alovers has download support."

"Holyshxt!!!"

"Guys, we might be witnessing the birth of another hit song that rivals 'Blinding Lights'!"

And the other side.
A black anchor who had previously gained fame for his excessive admiration for Shen Juan was also watching the "STAY" music video.

"Brothers in the live stream, I've been waiting for this moment for so long! So do you guys remember how crazy I was when I listened to 'Blinding Lights' last time? I was absolutely ecstatic! And that reaction video is now my most viewed video to date! Thanks, Alex!"

"The pre-release promotion for 'STAY' was just as good as 'Blinding Lights'! It was even bigger than the pre-release hype for the first few AS3 singles, which shows how high Alex's expectations were for this song!"

"God damn it Alex Shen! And damn Justin Bieber, what two names that are so catchy! 'STAY,' the official music video, I can't wait to see it! So what are we waiting for? Let the fuck release the video already! Let's scream!"

"Beats! Could this be a product placement ad from one of the major brands? I seem to remember that Alex was Beats' global ambassador. I think he even filmed an ad for Beats with Boze Malone. If any viewers know, please mention it in the live stream. I can't quite remember."

The prelude begins.
"I can't take it anymore, this is too much!"

The live stream chat was also flooded with W messages.

When the weary voice appeared
The streamer, ImDontai, was so excited he was almost crying. He even rolled his eyes as he slid off his gaming chair, saying, "Screw it! Alex, you can't look at me like that! How can you look at me like that! I have a girlfriend, and so do you! You can't do that!"

“O~M~G!!!”

It's safe to say that he's a veteran actor; even Zhang Yimou would probably be shocked to see this.

"I can't do it! Brothers, I can't do it!"

ImDontai was both crying and laughing, clutching his heart tightly, looking agitated as if he was about to die from a heart attack.

"Why is he staring so intently at the camera? Doesn't he know there are many people around the world like me who would go crazy for him? Doesn't he know he was ranked number one on some shady website's 2019 must-eat list? This guy is so annoying!"

"He's radiating his charm without any restraint!"

"Alex, Alex Shen, shame juan"

"I really want to punch you in the face!" "How can you be so amazing!"

"Of all the songs he released this year, 'STAY' is definitely my favorite! Although I haven't even listened to it all the way through yet, that's the definitive conclusion I can draw! Sorry, 'INDUSTRY BABY,' this guy is just unbelievable! He's not human!"

"This beat is absolutely blasting!"

"JB's voice is absolutely amazing!"

"These two are absolutely my favorites!!!"

This is the case for most live streaming rooms on major platforms.

Meanwhile, celebrities from various countries who are also paying close attention to this new song have also given their feedback.

Justin Bieber, who has been carried by Shen Juan several times (MoodSTAY), naturally thanked Shen Juan for taking the initiative to invite him to participate in the production of this song. He believed that Shen Juan's actions were the greatest respect and recognition for him, and a testament to their extraordinary friendship!
He excitedly posted on Instagram: "From '10000 Hours' to 'Mood' to 'STAY,' @alexs always takes me to outer space! When he says, 'JB, let's do something tough,' I know history is about to begin! Some people say I'm always playing a supporting role to Alex? Fxxk it! It's an honor to be a supporting character to a genius of this caliber! Finally, I must say to all the Beliebers and Alovers: You've made my collaboration with Alex soar to new heights! Thank you all for your support and love! I love you all!"

It is obvious that after experiencing so much darkness, chaos, and the ups and downs of popularity, he has realized his position and knows what he really wants. Therefore, he has given up the idea of ​​climbing up and is willing to play a supporting role for his former little brother.

Popularity or status.

None of this matters.

Making money is his top priority right now!
He even recently contacted Shen Juan, wanting him to represent LV in a collaboration with his streetwear brand Drew House.

It can only be said that not everyone in this world is unwilling to accept that younger generations will surpass them, and not everyone is unwilling to accept that their era has passed. When encountering someone with greater talent than themselves, some people will choose to avoid or even suppress them, while others will choose to cooperate. Bieber is undoubtedly the latter.

He latched onto the most powerful patron.

Li Na grabbed Shen Juan and started playing the flute vigorously, further solidifying her image as an "Alex follower." However, what's funny is that because of his sexual orientation, he was called the number one flute player under Wa Juan by domestic haters, who also said that he wasn't from Guangdong but from Chengdu, thus offending tens of millions of people at once.

Ariana Grande released a humorous version of the music video for "I Really Like You," which she filmed at home with Justin Bieber and his wife, among others. She said that they are closely connected through the internet and that their relationship has gone beyond friendship, making fans who ship them exclaim how sweet it is!

Next, Master Lay continued to market his claim of promoting the power of China, attempting to make this rhetoric resonate with people.

The mob has found a new source of amusement, but Master Lay thinks, "People laugh at my madness, but I laugh at their ignorance."

Who says a simp can't get a house?

I'm determined to lick everything I can get!
I'm going to become the king of simps!

After signing with 88rising, Wang Jiaer plans to expand overseas, so the hype surrounding Shen Juan will only be greater than before.

Kun Kun feels that he is still too inexperienced, and because Shen Juan has forcibly raised the musical standards of the domestic audience, many singers, including himself, can no longer boast as much as before. Therefore, he plans to take a break and stabilize his domestic base with the upcoming release of "Lover".

Then there are also the indispensable Xue Zhiqian, Deng Ziqi, Da Zhangwei, Li Ronghao, Lu Han, Cheng He, Tao Zhe, Han Hong, Na Ying, and others.
Even Zhang Ruoyun, whom I met just last month, reposted the "STAY" MV on Weibo and showered it with compliments.

When Shen Juan releases a song now, it's basically a nationwide phenomenon.

After all, many artists owe him favors in order to secure the opportunity to perform in that global charity concert a while ago.

In short, the combination of multiple positive factors has led to a surge in the song's exposure and online popularity.

Whether in East Asia or Europe and America.

Whether it's Alovers or Beliebers.

Whether it's celebrities, internet influencers, or music critics/bloggers.

Almost everyone is praising Shen Juan Bieber and his song "STAY," which has received almost maximum pre-release promotion.

After all, Shen Juan, with 9000 million monthly listeners on The Voice, and Justin Bieber, with 6000 million monthly listeners, are the embodiment of internet traffic!
So, what if you want to attract traffic to your website?

Want to make like-minded friends?
Then join the STAY praise group!

Believe in Alex, support Alex, admire Alex.

He can do everything.

He can do anything.

(Data from Soundwave in December 2021)
Noon on May 1st, China time.

The results for the first day of STAY are in!
It goes without saying that it topped authoritative music charts like iTunes, South Korea's Melon, and Japan's Oricon.

As the undisputed number one male in the world, Shen Juan can easily achieve full coverage of the world's eight major music markets!
We won't talk much about music reviews.

In order to adapt to the streaming media era and make money to survive, music review websites are increasingly succumbing to singers like Shen Juan, who have a large number of fans and explosive online data.

After all, if they just say a few nice words, fans will respond enthusiastically and provide them with traffic and clicks. So why would they need to go against the public and gain traffic by criticizing others?
Moreover, no matter how much they oppose, belittle, or suppress Shen Juan, his achievements are undeniable.

Other male singers of the same period couldn't even come close to him, let alone compete with him on the PK stage.

Given this prevailing trend, mainstream music critics have virtually no chance of resisting the public's pessimistic and weary sentiments!
In the streaming media field
"STAY" garnered a staggering 1907 million effective plays on its first day, including 850 million in the US.

Not only did it significantly break the previous record of 1600 million views on the first day, which was also held by Shen Juan's "Senorita", but it also swept the top spot in daily views for artists in more than 5 major countries and regions around the world, becoming the undisputed focus of attention on May 1st in terms of star power!
So how do we evaluate this result?
Comparing data from 2018 to 2019, its 1907 million first-day viewership was second only to Ah-Dai's 19.8 million first-day viewership for "Easy On Me".

Although the monthly active users of "Sound Breaking" are obviously far from those of 23, and many data records cannot be compared with those three years later, given Shen Juan's current huge fan base and popularity, achieving a version that surpasses the times is obviously not difficult.

Furthermore, STAY successfully dominated YouTube, forcefully taking over the territory that originally belonged to K-pop.

The music video garnered over 1.3 million views on its first day, significantly breaking the previous record held by "Senorita"!

Briefly mention the current rankings
Second place goes to Ariana Grande's "Senorita" with 1.1 million won; third place to Taylor Swift's "ME!" with 9200 million won; fourth place to Blinding Lights with 9000 million won; fifth place to Ariana Grande's "Rain On Me" with 8100 million won; sixth place to BTS' "Boy With Luv" with 6300 million won; and seventh place to BP's "Kill This Love" with 5600 million won.

(ME! gained over 20 million new followers because of Shen Juan, while BTS lost 10 million because Shen Juan drained their potential fanbase. By the way, YouTube data is becoming less and less important. K-pop is the group that pays the most attention to YouTube data globally, so K-pop groups' YouTube data is exaggerated.)
Major social media platforms have entered a state of frenzy.

[1.3 million plays on the first day! I suspect those streamers and music critics contributed 3000 million, hahaha! This song is truly a hit! A friend recommended it to me in the early hours of the morning, and I initially just wanted to give it a cursory listen, but I ended up listening to it on repeat until dawn! Just those few lines of lyrics and a few melodies repeated endlessly, it's so damn addictive!]

[I was in Tokyo, and within five minutes of stepping outside, I heard three stores playing "STAY." It instantly brought back memories of 18, when the whole of Tokyo was listening to Woj's "Pretender" on repeat! Stores these days really know how to keep up with the times to attract customers, haha! Even small shops are starting to play English songs.]

[If you watch nine videos on TikTok, at least ten will have "STAY" as background music. With this kind of spread, it's hard not to get addicted.]

If this momentum continues, it feels like "STAY" could very well become this year's double champion! A Billboard Hot 100-Year Champion + Soundwave Streaming Champion of the Year—unless AS3 releases an even bigger hit single than "STAY," it's highly likely that "STAY" is destined for the top spot.

[Why does AS3 seem even more explosive than AS2? I have to say, Juan is truly a genius at single-single releases, every single one he releases tops the charts. I don't mean to criticize or incite conflict, but I genuinely think Juan should pass on some single-single ...

[She says: "The first day's results are just the effect of Juanjuan's accumulated fame. Don't get too excited yet. Let's see how things go on the second day so the haters don't find anything to criticize." But inside she's thinking: "My husband is absolutely amazing! No wonder he's the man I love to death! I'd give anything for him!"]

AS3 will create a new peak in business!

[Has he run out of ideas? Not at all. You're constantly on the rise; he's our generation's Michael Jackson.]

I'm probably just a casual fan, but seeing him shine on stage really moved me. I felt he was so worthy of love. I can't believe how much a true fan could love him. His spirited and unrestrained personality is so captivating; he radiates boundless energy and dazzling light—he's like a god!

[From the moment I became a fan until now, I've witnessed so many glorious moments and miracles for Alex. Every time I see new achievements, I can't help but get excited and tearful. I still remember how green and inexperienced he was when he first debuted, taking each step steadily to reach where he is today. Every achievement he has now is the result of countless days and nights of hard work and dedication. Seeing him break his own records time and time again fills me with immense pride! Before, there were always people who doubted, slandered, and belittled him, but these achievements are the most powerful rebuttal. Alex Shen is the music industry!]

As many media outlets have previously stated:

After being nurtured and refined through two albums, Shen Juan has firmly established himself as a leading pop superstar in the contemporary music scene. He started from scratch and has transformed from an ambitious talent show contestant into a true king of contemporary pop music.

With the sudden yet natural and inevitable explosion of popularity of "STAY", Shen Juan's upcoming third album AS3 has been pushed to an unprecedented peak of anticipation. While becoming another hot topic of discussion, it has also become an important opportunity and key asset for Shen Juan to break through the peak of his career, break the shackles of the times and the public's inherent perception, and pursue legend and stand shoulder to shoulder with greatness.

Looking back?

He was already world-renowned.

Looking to the future.

He is ready to become a part of the times.

(End of this chapter)