HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 308 [308] American music scene debut, about to break into the Billboard Hot 100 singles?

A few days later, good news came.

American listeners who heard "Free Loop" started recommending the song to people around them, and word of mouth gradually spread.

The sales figures reflected this, rising every day, with sales reaching just over 20,000 on the last day of the first week, and a total of 88210 records sold in the first week.

For newcomers, this achievement means positive market feedback, and record companies are willing to invest more.

The positive cycle began, Warner Music America increased its promotional efforts, and the number of Americans hearing the song through various channels was surging. A significant portion of these people would buy the record and recommend it to their friends.

In the second week, Qi Yuan's single performed even better in the US market.

"Ah Yuan, congratulations, you're about to take off. 8.8 copies in the first week, you're already considered a rising star. According to data, your songs are gaining traction on radio stations across the US, and the number of people buying your records offline is also increasing."

Warner Music America predicts that your song could sell 10 to 20 copies in its second week. Do you know what that means?

This means your song has the potential to chart and become a hit in the US, and you might break into the Billboard Hot 100 in the week after next.

You will become only the second Chinese artist in history to reach the Billboard Hot 100, and the first Chinese male artist to do so.

Zhang Hao's voice trembled slightly.

So cool.

As expected of the artists he manages, Qi Yuan has achieved a good start in the plan to enter the American music scene.

With subsequent EPs following suit and steady progress made, Qi Yuan has the potential to transform from a Chinese pop king to a global superstar.

In the future, no superstar in the Chinese music scene can compare to Qi Yuan.

Regardless of their domestic success, Qi Yuan's fans' question, "Has your idol's music gained international recognition?" instantly ended the competition.

Qi Yuan, somewhat dissatisfied and slightly disappointed, asked, "Only 8.8?"

He thought he could break 100,000.

Zhang Hao almost vomited blood upon hearing Versailles's statement.

Dude, you've never even been to the US, so you're not even a newcomer in terms of initial popularity; you're practically a nobody.

Is 8.8 for a random passerby weak? That's pretty impressive.

Last year, Li Wen's English major album only sold tens of thousands of copies in the United States.

With increased promotional resources and positive word-of-mouth, the second week is sure to see a major surge.

Zhang Hao was certain that if those Japanese singers who had failed in their attempts to break into the US heard Qi Yuan's words, they would definitely beat him up.

You think 8.8 copies sold in the first week is not enough? We can't even sell half of what you sell in a week in the US.

Zhou Jianhui was overjoyed when he received the battle report and immediately contacted the media to release a press release praising Qi Yuan's achievements.

After reaching the pinnacle of the Chinese music scene, Warner Music's top star, Qi Yuan, did not rest on his laurels but instead forged ahead, venturing into the Japanese and Western music scenes.

Qi Yuan's first solo English album, "Free Loop," sold 52 copies in Japan and 17.3 copies in South Korea.

After entering the US market, it made rapid progress, selling nearly 10 copies in its first week and nearly two million copies worldwide.

In the future, this single will be released in more European and American countries... Qi Yuan is gradually becoming a globally renowned superstar.

It sold 8.8 copies in its first week in the US, so it's reasonable to round it up to nearly 10 copies, right? Anyway, Zhou Jianhui and Warner's publicity department think it's reasonable.

This news caused a stir in China.

What? Qi Yuan actually made it into the American music scene?

Isn't it said that it's hard to make it in the US? Look at Tao Ze and Wang Lihong, they went to school and grew up in the US, but neither of them made it in the American music scene.

Qi Yuan broke in so easily?
……

Alpha. Zhou Jielun had mixed feelings; he envied Qi Yuan's achievements in Japan and the United States.

"Wenshan, do you think I could be as successful as Brother Yuan if I sang English songs?"

Fang Wenshan: "..."

He didn't want to discourage Jay Chou; given her English level, the image of her singing English songs was too unpleasant for him to bear.

As Jay Chou's partner, Fang Wenshan understands Jay Chou very well. He knows that Jay Chou yearns for Western culture.

This can be seen from his later decision to start his own business.

During her time with Alfa and Holiday KTV, Jay Chou's album covers and music videos were aesthetically pleasing.

After going independent in 07, the aesthetic level of their albums plummeted, quickly becoming tacky and pretentious.

They often shoot music videos in small European towns.

His story was reported by Western media and widely shared on Instagram, revealing his deep desire for recognition from the West.

At this moment, Zhou Jielun felt that she was no longer living in Qi Yuan's shadow, but that Qi Yuan had become the person she longed for.

"Jelen, you need to improve your English first."

Fang Wenshan coughed lightly and made a comment.

The Western music scene is not easy to break into. Currently, there is only one person in the Chinese music scene who has successfully broken into it, Li Wen, and another person who is in the process of breaking into it, Qi Yuan.

Strictly speaking, there is only one Qi Yuan.

Li Wen's globally viral single was produced by Qi Yuan.

Fang Wenshan admires Zhou Jielun's musical talent, but he doesn't think she'll succeed in the European and American music scene or the Japanese music scene.

Jay Chou's popularity in China can be attributed not only to his exceptional musical talent and ability, but also to his early shy and reserved image and the effective marketing and promotion by his company.

Chinese culture is relatively reserved, and people like stories of underdogs achieving success against all odds.

If Jay Chou didn't have musical talent, he would just be the quiet, reserved guy next door, and people would feel close to him.

Foreigners don't buy into that. In Europe and America, they prefer sunny and confident men, and they like real men.

In Japan, in her previous life, Jay Chou tried to open up the Japanese music market with the popularity of "Initial D".

He released a compilation album called "Initial J" in Japan, which only sold 2917 copies, a dismal performance.

Fang Wenshan believes that there are different levels of genius, and Zhou Jielun is already amazing enough to be able to handle so many different musical styles.

Qi Yuan is a super genius who is even more talented than Jay Chou. He led R&B and hip-hop, created the Chinese style, and can perfectly master both Chinese and Western pop music.

A genius like Qi Yuan is one in a hundred years.

……

Qi Yuan set off to return to the mainland to film a music video, and also to take the opportunity to see the finished product of "Bouquet".

They were surrounded by Taiwanese reporters at Taoyuan Airport.

"Your first English single sold nearly 10 copies in its first week in the United States. Aren't you proud? You are the first Chinese male singer to achieve this in the US market. You have made history."

Qi Yuan stopped and said to the reporter, "Selling 10 copies a week and you're already proud? To be honest, I'm not too satisfied with this result. As for creating history for a Chinese male singer, I can only say that previous records were too low."

I returned to mainland China to complete the music videos for the other three songs on my English EP. I believe that once my first English EP is released, its success will be far greater than it is now.

Because the other three songs on my EP are all better than "Free Loop"!

The reporters around them felt a surge of excitement from the bottom of their spines to the top of their heads—big news! They'd gotten another big story.

(End of this chapter)