HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 339 [339] I was number one in China, and I'll be the same in America.

The next day, February 12th.

After studying Korean diligently for an entire night, Qi Yuan led her team on a plane directly to the United States.

……

Warner Music, New York, USA.

"Fuck! Chris is so unruly. His record is selling like hotcakes in the US market, yet he's dragging his feet on coming to the US to promote it. Doesn't he want to earn dollars?"

A high-ranking official is swearing profusely.

In the United States, whether you're Michael Jackson or Britney Madonna, after releasing an album, you have to go to radio stations, television stations, and physical venues to boost sales.

All I can say is that Chrissy's non-local gang is incredibly rude and doesn't follow the rules of the American music scene at all.

At that moment, the assistant pushed open the door and entered the office.

"Chris's agent informed us that Chris boarded the plane in Seoul half an hour ago and is expected to arrive in New York between 9 and 10 p.m. tonight."

"Quickly arrange the best hotel and have someone pick up Chris tonight... I'll personally pick him up tonight."

The speed at which the higher-ups changed their tune left the junior assistant, who was new to the job, speechless.

You weren't like this just now, sir.

The higher-ups didn't see anything wrong with this change.

Who made Chrissy's records sell so well?
According to Warner Bros.' marketing department's sales forecast, "22" is expected to sell over 70 copies in its first week in the United States.

This result isn't too outrageous.

The Backstreet Boys' "Black & Blue" sold 160 million copies in the US in its first week.

Britney Spears' second album, released in May of this year, sold 131.9 million copies in its first week in the United States, immediately debuting at number one on the Billboard 5 albums chart.

There's also the controversial Eminem, whose "The Marshall Mathers LP," released this year, sold 176 million copies in the US in its first week.

Compared to true top-tier female celebrities in Europe and America, Kris's 70 copies sold in the first week doesn't seem that impressive.

But don't forget, Chris has an Asian market; China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia all contributed significantly to the sales of "22".

同样是华纳市场部预测，《22》全球首周销量预计可以达到220万~250万张，销售生命周期内有希望达到800万~1000万张。

Don't assume that piracy doesn't exist in places like Japan and Europe. Piracy is rampant there too; they just have a more regulated legitimate market. Unlike in China, where legitimate products are immediately shut down as soon as pirated versions appear.

If Chris's "22" ultimately sells 800 million copies, it could generate $7190 million to $1.03 million in revenue for Warner Music from the record sales alone.

After deducting marketing and other costs, how much money does Warner Music make?
Is Chris still alone? No, he's a walking, talking money-printing machine. Doesn't that make him, a mere junior executive, worth going to greet?
……

10 pm.

After a flight of more than ten hours, Qi Yuan set foot on American soil for the first time.

He stretched and then took a deep breath: "Damn! Isn't everyone saying that the air in America is sweet and clean? All I can smell is aviation fuel."

Zhang Hao glanced at him and said, "You should read less of 'Reader's Digest' and 'Youth Digest'. Reading too much of that stuff will affect your IQ."

Zhang Hao has been in this industry for over a decade. He rarely comes to the United States, but he has been to Japan quite often.

The whole "craftsmanship spirit" and "toilet water is drinkable" stuff is pure nonsense; it's just a way to fool people who've never been abroad.

This is related to the current lack of self-confidence among the people. Twenty years from now, when the younger generation has gained confidence, these magazines will no longer have a market.

"You must be Chris! My God, you're a musical genius. Please promise me you won't waste it like this next time. You have four such great songs, you should add six more and release an album." A Warner executive forced a bright smile at Qi Yuan and showered him with compliments.

Who says Americans don't know how to flatter? Their words are so direct that even the most sycophantic people in China would blush.

After all, people in China like to flatter indirectly and subtly.

Qi Yuan could also understand why the people at Warner were so enthusiastic towards him.

The results of "22" speak for themselves.

Besides Linkin Park, Madonna, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who else under Warner Music can consistently outsell Qi Yuan in terms of record sales?

Alanis Morissette is no good.

Every version has its own legend. Alanis Morissette's career began to decline in 98. Her 98 album only sold 600 million copies, which completely failed to meet Warner's expectations. This decline lasted for ten years, and she only started to rise again in 08.

Madonna's peak is over, at least in terms of record sales. This year's "Music" is already her peak since the millennium.

After that, Madonna's album sales only rebounded in 05, exceeding ten million again. The rest of the albums struggled to reach five million in sales.

Currently, Warner Music's real breakout star is Linkin Park, whose "Hybrid Theory" released in October of this year was a huge hit, almost sweeping the entire European and American music scene. The album has since sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

At Warner Music, Qi Yuan's EP is expected to sell over 800 million copies, making him a rising star.

This can also be seen from the treatment Warner gave Qi Yuan.

Warner provided Qi Yuan with a strong security team and arranged for him to stay in a high-end hotel.

……

Had a night's rest.

Qi Yuan embarked on a promotional campaign, giving interviews to publications such as Rolling Stone, Teen People, and Seventeen.

"Chris, it's incredible that your English songs, written by an Asian, are selling so well in the US! Billboard is updating its charts the day after tomorrow. What kind of results do you think your three new songs will achieve?"

"I don't really care."

"What?!"

The reporter was stunned by Qi Yuan's answer.

Do you know what you're saying? In 2000, Billboard was the most authoritative music chart in the world. You, a singer who came to the Western music scene, are saying you didn't care?

Even the biggest stars in the Western music scene wouldn't dare say they don't care about the Billboard charts.

Seeing the reporter's surprised expression, Qi Yuan said confidently, "In China, every time I release an album, it reaches number one on the charts. I think it will be the same in the United States."

The reporter looked stunned!
Is this person really Chinese? Aren't Chinese people supposed to be very humble? Just like Chinese Americans, they're reserved and compliant, and even if they're bullied, they don't dare to fight back or band together.

The reporter has met many Chinese and people of Chinese descent, and he has also interviewed Li Wen. None of them dared to be as confident, or rather arrogant, as Qi Yuan.

In fact, Qi Yuan did it on purpose. In American culture, there has always been a tradition of respecting the strong and looking down on the weak.

If he maintained the same humility in the US as he did in China, many rednecks might look down on him, thinking he was no different from those weak Chinese Americans.

If he behaves differently from the stereotypical image of Chinese Americans, and he possesses talent and ability, he is more likely to win over American audiences.

For Americans, an arrogant strongman is more popular than a weak coward.

(End of this chapter)