I became a music industry godfather by writing confidantes.

Chapter 147 The Next Album

On January 28th, the third day after "Crazy for Love" was released, in the afternoon.

Xu Xiaogang had just finished a brand event and was sitting in her van reading music reviews, which had been her biggest hobby these past few days.

"Xu Xiao's voice itself has a metallic texture and a bright penetrating power. This kind of voice is undoubtedly a unique advantage when performing rock songs such as 'The Last Person I Loved' and 'Fighter'."

However, when placed in a lyrical song like "Crazy for Love" that requires a sense of fragmentation and narrative, her voice is actually on the hard side and seems out of place.

What's amazing is that the song's arrangement cleverly plays to the strengths and avoids the weaknesses, allowing Xu Xiao's voice to collide with the minimalist arrangement, creating a subtle chemical reaction that ultimately presents a surprising effect.

The single achieved impressive results in just three days.

According to real-time data provided by Kingstone, "Crazy for Love" has accumulated 400 million downloads, and it is a certainty that it will surpass 500 million downloads in its first week.

Given Xu Xiao's own size, there's no doubt that this song will surpass 1000 million downloads.

Looking at the music reviews and business data on her phone, Xu Xiao, in a very pleasant mood, couldn't help but recall Yang Du's insightful comment from the Qiuniu Studio that day: "You sing so well."

In fact, during the recording of the single, Xu Xiao had a brief moment of hesitation. Would the market really accept abandoning her own style and singing in an almost descriptive way?

Will her fans dislike it?

If it doesn't get a good reception, should we resort to a public relations strategy that uses the experimental track concept?

But now, all doubts have vanished.

Then, a faint sense of lingering fear rose from the bottom of my heart.

If she hadn't immediately changed her attitude and sent a signal to repair the relationship after "Painting Heart" was released last year, but instead continued to antagonize Yang Du, what would the situation be like now?

Is she still stuck in the old patterns that have trapped her, becoming a ruthless singing machine amidst a series of homogenous albums?

Over the years, she has been surrounded by vested interests. Her showy skills are just like the emperor's new clothes that never existed, while Yang Du is the child who spoke the truth.

Xu Xiao was filled with mixed emotions, and her manager Qi Qiao, who was sitting next to her, was equally unable to calm down.

Honestly, when Yang Du confidently announced 30+5% that day, she was holding back a lot of anger.

Yes, Yang Du is impressive, but this price is on par with Shen Dai's go-to gold-medal producer.

Isn't this just blatant price gouging?

When the music reviews and data came out, it proved that Yang Du was not only worth the price, but also worth more than his money.

Qi Qiao immediately admitted that she had indeed been too loud earlier.

On the other hand, looking at the music reviews praising Xu Xiao these past few days, Qi Qiao felt an overwhelming sense of regret.

She couldn't help but recall the mess her team made last year when they received the audition song for "Painted Heart"—

If so—is "Painting Heart" already another representative work of Xu Xiao?

Even during the recording of "Painting Heart", Yang Du was able to discover the root of the problem.

Of course, the most important point is that Yang Du had only just started producing his second single at that time, and was not yet the top producer he is today.

For a novice producer to collaborate with a rising star on his second single, what a huge favor that must have been!

Even if we take a step back and say that we met a young, top-notch producer when we were still struggling, isn't that a kind of investment?

Fortunately, the situation isn't too bad now, and everything is back on track.

The song "Crazy for Love" has at least broadened Xiaoxiao's future path in the music industry.

Thinking about this, she suddenly had a bold idea.

Qi Qiao turned her head, just as Xu Xiao turned off her phone screen and looked over.

"It's time to start planning the next album," they both said in unison. "Should we invite Yang Du?"

After he finished speaking, the two of them were stunned for a moment, and then they couldn't help but laugh.

As expected of my manager/artist.

"Is that what you think too?" Xu Xiao asked.

"Hmm." Qi Qiao nodded and analyzed seriously, "Yang Du used 'Swallowtail Butterfly' to make Tao Cheng a rising star. 'Crazy for Love' proves that he is highly capable in terms of lyrics, composition, and production. He understands you."

"If Yang Du produces your next album, it will definitely take your career to the next level."

Of course, there was one thing Qi Qiao didn't mention.

In about a month, the Golden Bell Awards, the biggest event in the Chinese music scene, will be held.

Tao Cheng's "Swallowtail Butterfly" will definitely make a name for itself at this year's Golden Bell Awards.

Albums that achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success are practically a favorite of the Golden Bell Awards judges.

Although the outside world says that the Golden Bell Awards emphasize the combination of art and commerce, in essence, the Golden Bell Awards is an industrial award for the music industry, and sales, popularity, and influence are extremely important metrics.

If Tao Cheng, this rising star, wins an award at the awards ceremony, even just a Golden Bell Award, Xu Xiao's status in the industry will become awkward.

At that time, she will be the only one among the four little divas who has never won a Golden Bell Award.

The rankings in the music industry have always been brutal. Qi Qiao still remembers the reshuffling after the 18 Golden Chart Music Awards, where the nine divas first became four divas plus five divas, and then evolved into the current four divas and three minor divas.

From five major to three minor projects, some of which were her creations.

If Xu Xiao doesn't win the Golden Bell Award in a few years, she might become the next Tuya and Gao Zhuo to be kicked out of the group chat from the Ninth and Fifth Affiliated Universities.

Of course, another important reason why Tuya and Gao Zhuo were so easily kicked out was that they were not members of the Big Three.

Behind Xu Xiao is Jin Shi.

Nevertheless, this sense of crisis still lingered in Qi Qiao's heart.

We must prepare in advance!

Xu Xiao was naturally aware of Yang Du's current business value, but she also had her own concerns.

"Yang Du is transitioning to a singer this year and is going to release a solo album. I'm just worried that he won't have the extra time and energy."

"Schedule has never been an issue. Time can always be found if we squeeze it in. The most important thing now is our attitude."

Xu Xiao nodded: "Okay, then we'll go to the company first thing tomorrow morning and talk to Fang Lei to see how much budget and authority the company can provide."

"However—" Qi Qiao reminded, "We need to contact Yang Du as soon as possible, and it would be best to finalize things before the 31st."

"Huh?" Xu Xiao didn't react at first, but then she realized, "A Golden Bell Award nomination?"

"That's right. Think about it, Xiaoxiao, the Golden Bell Awards nominations will be officially announced on February 1st. With Yang Du's achievements last year, his name will definitely be on the list of nominees for all the major awards."

"If we invite him to be the album producer after the nominations are announced, won't he think we're just after the nominations? Won't he think we're opportunistic?"

Although she is indeed quite snobbish, Qi Qiao herself admits this.

"As you know, Yang Du is talented and capable, but he's also straightforward, has a bad temper, and doesn't know how to be flexible. You have to go along with him."

"We extended the invitation before the first list was released to show our sincerity and trust."