From folk roots to game fame

Zhelai, the vocal artist behind a viral track for Black Myth: Wukong, captivates audiences worldwide with her unique and rebellious sound.

As the first Chinese AAA game, Black Myth: Wukong has gained explosive popularity, and one of its tracks, Pi (which can mean both "fart" and "nonsense" in Chinese), has also garnered significant attention.

Featuring philosophical lyrics, a grand and unique musical arrangement, and distant yet powerful vocals, this song has captivated gamers, social media users, and the public alike.

Creative reinterpretations of the song are thriving, including reaction videos from foreign listeners, analyses by a 90-year-old piano-playing granny, a Cantonese cover, and even a remake music video by the Yunnan traffic police.

The original singer of Pi, vocal artist Zhelai (pseudonym) from Jinchang in Northwest China's Gansu province, is delighted by the enthusiasm.

"I'm not at all worried about the imagination of netizens; everyone should just enjoy the song," she said.

"Seeing people immerse themselves in this piece, I feel that each person is wonderfully talented. Every time I encounter their creations, I gain a new perspective on the song."

When Zhelai recorded Pi three years ago, she had no idea it would become so widely popular.

At that time, she hadn't seen any visual materials about the game and relied solely on her feelings and understanding of the lyrics and melody to deliver the unique and memorable performance we know today.

Some consider the word "pi" to be vulgar, which is why many refer to the song by its key lyrics, "three realms and four continents".

Zhelai explains that when she recorded the song, the title hadn't yet been decided. While the Buddhist concept of "three realms and four continents" does reflect the grand worldview depicted in the song, after learning more about the game's story and characters, she felt it had to be called Pi because "otherwise, the song would lack spirit", she said.

"'Pi' represents a fundamental human desire, something produced by the body that needs to be expelled," Zhelai explained. "It also captures a rebellious attitude. The essence of netizens' creations and imitations is this very spirit."

Black Myth: Wukong is a reimagining of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. In the game, players control a young monkey who decides to follow in Wukong's footsteps to the West after the Monkey King's death. Along the way, he overcomes various trials and challenges, hoping to help Wukong come back to life.

Zhelai believes the core of the original novel is a heroic epic that emphasizes Wukong's transformation and growth. She feels that both the game and the song remain true to the novel by highlighting the essence of humanity, which is why they resonate with so many people.