Zhu (musician)
| ZHU | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Steven Zhu |
| Born | 1989 (age 26–27) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist, & vocalist |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Mind of a Genius, Columbia Records |
| Website |
www |
Steven Zhu,[1] (born 1989) better known by his stage name ZHU (/dʒuː/or /tʃuː/), is a Chinese-American[1] electronic musician, producer, and singer who has been active since the beginning of 2014, signed to Mind of a Genius Records. Until mid-2014 Zhu remained anonymous, asking to be judged by his music alone.[1]
Career
2014–present
His first track, "Moves Like Ms Jackson",[2] a mashup of several songs by Outkast, was released in February 2014 and was positively received by blogs and reviewers covering electronic music.[3] Other tracks appeared on the music streaming site Soundcloud throughout February and March,[4] followed by an EP titled The Nightday in April 2014.[5][6] The first single from the EP, titled "Faded", was released in March 2014.[7]
Describing the current music climate as “very black and white,” Zhu's manager Jake Udell acknowledges that race played a role in Zhu’s initial anonymity. “Some of us don’t even know the limitations of our own prejudice,” Udell says. “Rather than put those limitations to the test, we’ve created an engaging way for fans to focus on the music rather than who’s behind it.”[1]
As "Faded" was nominated for a Grammy, Zhu opened up about himself slightly in an interview. He stated that "the project (Zhu) is all about art, and we try to make it about the songs and the response."[8] On 15 May 2015, Zhu appeared on Pete Tong's BBC Radio 1 'After Hours' show and contributed a 40 minute DJ mix, mostly consisting of unreleased remixes, and also announced the NIGHTDAY COLLECTION clothing line.[9][10]
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [11] | ||
| The Nightday |
|
6 |
| Genesis Series |
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [11] |
BEL [13] |
DEN [14] |
IRE | NED [15] |
UK | US Dance [16] | |||
| 2014 | "Faded" | 3 | 7 | 2 | 39 | 69 | 3 | 1 | The Nightday |
| 2015 | "Automatic" (with AlunaGeorge) |
97 | 59 | — | — | — | — | 4 | Genesis Series |
| "Working for It" (with Skrillex and THEY) |
30 | — | — | — | — | 71 | 15 | ||
| 2016 | "In the Morning" | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | TBA |
Other tracks and remixes
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| "Moves Like Ms. Jackson" (ZHU Cover) | OutKast |
| "Stay Closer" | ZHU |
| "Paradise Awaits" | |
| "Superfriends" | |
| "The One" | |
| "Cocaine Model" | |
| "In The Morning" | |
| "As Crazy As It Is" | ZHU, A-Trak and Keznamdi |
| "Testarossa Music" | ZHU and Gallant |
| "Hold Up, Wait A Minute" | ZHU, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Trombone Shorty |
| "Modern Conversation" | ZHU, Vancouver Sleep Clinic and Daniel Johns |
| "West Coast" | Lana Del Rey |
| "Gun" (ZHU Cover) | Chvrches |
| "Paradise Awaits, Part 2" | ZHU featuring GoldLink |
References
- 1 2 3 4 Medved, Matt (10 November 2014). "How Dance-Pop Act Zhu Scored a Major-Label Deal Using Just His Logo and His Music". Billboard. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ↑ Jamshed, Zahra (11 February 2014). "ZHU – Moves Like Ms. Jackson (OutKast Remix)". HYPETRAK. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ↑ "MOVES LIKE MS. JACKSON | Do Androids Dance". doandroidsdance.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ↑ "SoundCloud – Hear the world's sounds". soundcloud.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ↑ "ZHU – NIGHTDAY (Full EP Stream) | HYPETRAK". hypetrak.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Nightday [Mind of A Genius] :: Beatport". beatport.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ↑ "Zhu – Faded Lyrics | MetroLyrics". metrolyrics.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ↑ Brown, August (5 February 2015). "Zhu, the mystery man behind 'Faded,' opens up (a little) pre-Grammys". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ↑ "ZHU Teases New Music, Announces BBC Radio 1 Mix". Your EDM. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ↑ "Nightday Collection". Nightday Collection. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discography ZHU". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
- "Automatic": Ryan, Gavin (26 September 2015). "ARIA Singles: Justin Bieber Maintains Top Spot After Four Weeks". Noise11. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ↑ "THE NIGHTDAY – EP by ZHU". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discografie ZHU". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
- ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discografie ZHU". Danish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
- ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discografie ZHU". Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/6078838/zhu/chart?f=359
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