Zhu (musician)

Zhu
Birth name Steven Zhu
Born

1989 (age 26–27)

Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active 2014–present
Labels
Associated acts Skrillex, AlunaGeorge, Gallant
Website www.zhumusic.com

Steven Zhu[1] (born 1989), known professionally as Zhu (/dʒuː/or /tʃuː/), is a Chinese American[1] electronic musician and singer who has been active since the beginning of 2014, signed to Mind of a Genius Records and Columbia Records.[1] Until mid-2014, Zhu remained anonymous, asking to be judged by his music alone. His debut album, Generationwhy, was released on 29 July 2016.[2]

Career

Describing the current music climate as "very black and white", Zhu's manager Jake Udell acknowledged that race played a role in Zhu's initial choice to release his music anonymously, saying: "Some of us don't even know the limitations of our own prejudice. 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]

After being discovered by David Dann (founder of Mind of a Genius Records), Zhu's first track "Moves Like Ms Jackson",[3] a mashup of several songs by Outkast, was released anonymously in February 2014 and was positively received by blogs and reviewers covering electronic music.[4] Other tracks appeared on the music streaming site Soundcloud throughout February and March,[5] followed by an EP titled The Nightday in April 2014,[6][7] which earned a number 1 play of the week on Triple J.[8] The first single from the EP, titled "Faded", drew support from Pete Tong, who named it an "Essential New Tune" on his radio show on BBC Radio 1.[9] "Faded" was released in March 2014.[10]

"Faded" quickly climbed the global charts, peaking at number 3 in Australia and the UK, and number 12 on the US Dance/Electronic chart. "Faded" was certified platinum in Australia in 2014.[11] As "Faded" was nominated for a Grammy, Zhu stated in an interview that "the project (Zhu) is all about art, and we try to make it about the songs and the response."[12] On 15 May 2015, Zhu appeared on Pete Tong's "After Hours" show and performed a 40-minute DJ mix, mostly consisting of unreleased remixes, and also announced the Nightday Collection clothing line.[13][14]

In 2015, Zhu released his collaborative EP, Genesis Series.[15] The EP received critical acclaim for its diverse sounds and diverse range of talent. "Working for It", the lead collaboration with Skrillex and THEY,[16] reached the top 40 and was certified platinum in Australia,[17] and also charted on the US Dance/Electronic chart.

In 2016, the single "In the Morning" was released. After his Neon City Tour, he announced that his debut album, Generationwhy, would be released on 29 July 2016 and that "In the Morning" was the first single from the album. On 13 June 2016, Zhu released the title track, "Generationwhy", as the second single from the album. He first premiered the record at Coachella 2016 during his closing set in the Sahara Tent.[18] Zhu's Coachella performance was praised, with a writer for the New York Observer suggesting that he could be "the next Daft Punk".[19]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[20]		 AUS
[21]
Generationwhy 109 35

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[21]
The Nightday
  • Released: 20 April 2014[22]
  • Label: Mind of a Genius/Columbia Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, vinyl
 6
Genesis Series
  • Released: 6 November 2015
  • Label: Mind of a Genius / Columbia Records
  • Formats: Digital download
 —

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[21]		 BEL
[23]		 DEN
[24]		 IRE NED
[25]		 UK US Dance
[26]
2014 "Faded" 3 7 2 39 69 3 12 The Nightday
2015 "Automatic"
(with AlunaGeorge)		 97 59 — — — — 19 Genesis Series
"Working for It"
(with Skrillex and THEY.)		 30 — — — — 71 11 Genesis Series/Generationwhy
2016 "In the Morning" (solo / vs. Kaskade) — — — — — — 23 Generationwhy
"Generationwhy" — — — — — — 26
"Palm of My Hand" — — — — — — —
"Hometown Girl" — — — — — — 40

Production discography

References

  1. 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.
  2. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (14 June 2016). "Zhu shares summery new single "GENERATIONWHY" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  3. ↑ Jamshed, Zahra (11 February 2014). "ZHU – Moves Like Ms. Jackson (OutKast Remix)". HYPETRAK. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "MOVES LIKE MS. JACKSON | Do Androids Dance". doandroidsdance.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "SoundCloud – Hear the world's sounds". soundcloud.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "ZHU – NIGHTDAY (Full EP Stream) | HYPETRAK". hypetrak.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "The Nightday [Mind of A Genius] :: Beatport". beatport.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "ZHU's 'Paradise Awaits.' drops with NightDay EP Pre-order". www.dancingastronaut.com. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "How Dance-Pop Act Zhu Scored a Major-Label Deal Using Just His Logo and His Music". billboard.com. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "Zhu – Faded Lyrics | MetroLyrics". metrolyrics.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2014 Singles". www.aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  12. ↑ Brown, August (5 February 2015). "Zhu, the mystery man behind 'Faded,' opens up (a little) pre-Grammys". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "ZHU Teases New Music, Announces BBC Radio 1 Mix". Your EDM. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  14. ↑ "Nightday Collection". Nightday Collection. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  15. ↑ "ZHU Reveals 'Genesis Series' Featuring Skrillex, AlunaGeorge, Bone Thugs N Harmony & More". Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  16. ↑ ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. - Working For It (Zane Lowe World Premiere), retrieved 29 June 2016
  17. ↑ "Instagram photo by ZHU • Jun 18, 2016 at 4:47pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  18. ↑ http://thissongissick.com/post/zhu-generation-why
  19. ↑ "Is ZHU the Next Daft Punk?". 10 May 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  20. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/6078838/zhu/chart?f=305
  21. 1 2 3 "Discography ZHU". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  22. ↑ "THE NIGHTDAY – EP by ZHU". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  23. ↑ "Discografie ZHU". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014.
  24. ↑ "Discografie ZHU". Danish Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 24 August 2014.
  25. ↑ "Discografie ZHU". Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 16 September 2014.
  26. ↑ Peaks on the US Dance/Electronic Songs chart:
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