Joker Xue

Joker Xue (simplified Chinese: 薛之谦; traditional Chinese: 薛之謙; pinyin: Xuē Zhīqiān, born 17 July 1983) is a Chinese singer-songwriter and record producer.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Xue (薛).

Joker Xue
薛之谦
Born (1983-07-17) 17 July 1983
Shanghai, China
NationalityChinese
Alma materGlion Institute of Higher Education
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2005–present
Notable work
Actor, Ugly
Spouse(s)
Leixin Gao
​
(m. 2012⁠–⁠2015)​
Leixin Gao
​
(m. 2017)​
Children1
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese薛 之 谦
Traditional Chinese薛 之 謙
Musical career
GenresMandopop
InstrumentsGuitar, Piano
LabelsTaihe Music Group

Xue is known for his hit songs and stage charisma with his signature musical style. Since his 2006 debut, Xue has produced a string of hits detailing love's triumphs and woes. His musical style melds the classic pop pairing of piano and strings with folk-tinged acoustic guitar and R&B beats. He is among the most-streamed Mandopop artists on Spotify.


Music career

In 2006, Xue released his self-titled debut album "薛之谦" Xue Zhiqian, and was awarded the Most Popular New Artist at the 6th Global Chinese Music Awards.[1] The album was a success and brought about a few major hits, such as "认真的雪" Serious Snow, "黄色枫叶" Yellow Maple.[2]

In 2007, Xue recorded his second album "你过得好吗" How Are You, and was nominated for seven categories at the Beijing Pop Music Awards,[3] which established his reputation as a promising singer-songwriter in his early career.[4]

In 2008, Xue released his third album "深深爱过你" Loved You Deeply. After listening to the song "传说" Legend in this album, Shinji Tanimura 谷村新司 was very impressed by Xue's compositions and invited him to the Asia Music Festival held in Osaka, Japan.[5] On 25 July, Xue was honored as a torchbearer for the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay.[6]

In 2009, Xue released a compilation album "未完成的歌" Uncompleted Songs, which lists selected tracks from several of his albums, along with three new songs.

In 2012, his fifth album was released, "几个薛之谦" Several of Xue Zhiqian. It marked the end of his seven-year contract with "上腾娱乐" Shangteng Entertainment, which went out of business soon after he left.[7]

In 2013, Xue released his sixth album "意外" An Unexpected Journey, under the record company Ocean Butterflies.[8] This album can be seen as Xue's second because it was his first album not under the Shangteng Entertainment label.

In 2016, Xue produced his seventh album "初学者" Beginner.

In 2017, Xue released his eighth album "渡" The Crossing.[9] Songs favored by critics from this album include “高尚” Noble and “动物世界” Animal World. In the same year, Xue held his concert tour "我好像在哪儿见过你" I Think I've Seen You Somewhere.

In 2018, Xue released his ninth album "摩天大楼" Skyscraper, and continued his string of success. In this album, songs like “摩天大楼” Skyscraper and “肆无忌惮” Reckless incorporates different musical elements, while “最好” The Best features a more balladic composition. In the same year, he started his "摩天大楼" Skyscraper World Tour.

In 2019, Xue released his tenth album "尘" Dust, which contains ten songs in it. The song "木偶人" has won a prize on a grand music ceremony hold by Migu Music. [10]

In 2020, Xue published one more new album "天外来物," which will also contain ten songs in it. He currently has published three songs: "天外来物"，"不爱我"，"纸船".[11] He has also published a new single, ”野心”.[12],as well as "把你揉碎捏成苹果”[13]。

Early life

Xue was born and grew up in Shanghai, China. At four years old, his mother died of a heart disease. He studied painting in his youth, then Hotel Management at Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, before dropping out to pursue a music career.

Career

Early career

Xue started his music career in 2006, releasing several albums up until the year 2009.

In 2010, the boss of the company was not willing to publish Xue's album, despite it being an original creation, and Xue's team was dismissed as a result. However, Xue afforded all the expenditure to publish and advertise his album, wishing to continue his musical career. He began to find styling designers, dressers, and professional publishers to continue his career. During this period, he fell into depression, and lost weight sharply during those days. In a reality show, Xue needed to introduce himself to others in the universities and on the street, but no one knew him, and he was rejected to answer any questions. Finally, he was expelled, and said that he "cannot complete the mission today."[14]In the following three years, Xue was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, reporting that he felt suicidal and need a large dose of medication to help with his insomnia. He finally decided to sell his apartment and run a hot pot restaurant to earn more money to continue pursuing music.

After earning some money, he spent it on advertisements for his album in order to push his image into fame. Xue also played a bit roles in crews or perform comedy like hiding himself under a carpet in reality shows. In April, 2012, he stated to journalists that encouraged himself not to give up pursuing his music dream and that all the things he has done may seem crazy, but what he did is to pretend that he is fine,[15] changing his English name from "Jacky" to "Joker" as a result.

Reintroduction to fame

Before rising back to fame in 2016, Xue's image was a comedian appearing in many reality shows. He was asked to eat lipstick, glasses, paper, or centipedes. He was also asked to open a durian using his bare hands or his head during one such show. However, in order to keep pursuing his dream of being a popular singer, he changed his image, sold clothes online, and sold his apartment to run a restaurant.[16]

In an interview, when asked why he became a comedian, answered that he was unwilling but did it regardless to earn money so that he could pursue his career in music. Xue has also stated that "If I go to more reality shows, I will definitely be insane, but joining these reality shows and acting like a crazy man have given me two things: making money for creating new songs and keeping exposure during the time when no new music production is published." Due to the music industry being more of a public service benefit in China, Xue has said that it was much harder to work and to earn a liveable wage in the career.[17]

In the year 2017, Xue made business travels and recorded videos during the daytime and musical creations during midnight, writing on Sina Weibo in his car on the way to work. He is currently underweight and suffers from anxiety, which he claims only lets him sleep for 5 hours. During this time, he returned back to his home three times, could meet his father for only seven times during the year, and could not accompany his grandmother when she was passed away, saying that he would tell his psychologist what he wants to say to his grandmother. [18]


Social activities

In 2007, Joker Xue went to Russia with other artists to participate in the China Cultural Festival key project "Friendship Tour along the Volga River" jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation Cultural Film Agency.[19]

On 20 January 2008, Joker Xue presented the "Wings of Happiness" charity evening;[20] then, he was elected torchbearer and passed the torch in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, and passed the torch.[21] In March, a new book release was held in Shanghai. Not only donating part of the manuscript fee, he also took out 10 photos for auction. The proceeds were donated to the snow disaster-stricken area through the Shanghai Red Cross to support the reconstruction.[22]

Discography

Albums:

  • (2006.06) Jacky (薛之謙)
  • (2007.07) How Are You? (你過得好嗎)
  • (2008.11) Deep In Love With You (深深愛過你)
  • (2009.12) Not Completed Songs (未完成的歌)
  • (2012.08) Several Of... (幾個薛之謙)
  • (2013.11) An Unexpected Journey (意外)
  • (2016.07) Beginner (初學者)
  • (2017.12) Crossing (渡)
  • (2018.12) Joker (怪咖)
  • (2019.12) Dust (塵)
  • (2020.12) Alien From The Sky (天外來物)

References
  1. "薛之谦新加坡喜获最受欢迎男新人奖". 网易娱乐. 29 October 2006. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  2. "唱片销量破20万 薛之谦坐上环球内地头把交椅". 搜狐音乐. 13 August 2006. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  3. "薛之谦史无前例获中歌榜08年最重七项提名肯定". 搜狐音乐. 12 December 2008. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019.
  4. "薛之谦新专辑销量破十五万 出访俄罗斯在即". 新浪娱乐. 22 August 2007. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  5. "薛之谦受谷村新司邀请参加日本大阪亚洲音乐节". 新浪音乐. 11 November 2008. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019.
  6. "奥运圣火在郑州传递 薛之谦手持火炬传递". 搜狐奥运. 25 July 2008. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  7. "薛之谦合约到期 发新专辑庆30岁生日". 新浪音乐. 18 July 2012. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  8. "薛之谦自曝身世泪洒 新专辑《意外》发布". 新浪音乐. 11 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  9. ""数说"演唱会：张学友、薛之谦领跑演出市场". 搜狐音乐. 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  10. "尘 （2019年薛之谦发行的专辑）".
  11. "天外来物 （薛之谦音乐专辑）".
  12. "野心".
  13. "把你揉碎捏成苹果".
  14. Jian chi ni suo jian chi de,Xiang xin ni suo xiang xin de. Bei jing lian he chu ban gong si. 2018. ISBN 9787559623461.
  15. Jian chi ni suo jian chi de,Xiang xin ni suo xiang xin de. Beijing: Bei jing lian he chu ban gong si. 2018. p. 208. ISBN 9787559623461.
  16. Jian chi ni suo jian chi de,Xiang xin ni suo xiang xin de. Bei jing lian he chu ban gong si. 2018. ISBN 9787559623461.
  17. Jian chi ni suo jian chi de,Xiang xin ni suo xiang xin de. Beijing: Bei jing lian he chu ban gong si. 2018. p. 210. ISBN 9787559623461.
  18. Jian chi ni suo jian chi de,Xiang xin ni suo xiang xin de. Bei jing lian he chu ban gong si. 2018. ISBN 9787559623461.
  19. "薛之谦新专辑销量破十五万 出访俄罗斯在即(图)_谦里之外_新浪博客". blog.sina.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  20. "图文：赛我广州幸福公演--薛之谦帅气坐唱_影音娱乐_新浪网". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  21. "河南省人民政府门户网站 奥运圣火在郑州传递". www.henan.gov.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  22. "薛之谦率粉丝献爱心 捐稿费拍卖照片以支援灾区_影音娱乐_新浪网". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2020.


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