Legendary pop star Liu Huan to go global with new deal

Legendary pop artist and music educator Liu Huan, and the Universal Music Greater China, a division of the Universal Music Group, announced an exclusive global agreement on Tuesday.

This will be the first time that most of Liu's work — both recording and publishing rights — will be united under one umbrella. The deal aims to promote and preserve his musical legacy, while amplifying the global cultural impact of Chinese music.

A prolific singer-songwriter and dedicated music educator, Liu, 61, has contributed significantly to the evolution of Chinese pop music. His enduring hits have helped define each era since the 1980s, among them Wan Wan De Yue Liang (The Crescent Moon) and Shao Nian Zhuang Zhi Bu Yan Chou (Young Aspiration Knows No Sorrow), making him a beloved household name.

In the 1990s, he cemented his status as a national icon through compositions for the hit television series Beijingers in New York, including the beloved hit Qian Wan Ci De Wen (Time and Time Again). Later in the decade, his performance of Hao Han Ge (The Song of Heroes), the theme song of the TV adaptation of Water Margin, which was based on one of China's four great classical novels, became a cultural phenomenon. In the 2010s, he composed the entire soundtrack for award-winning TV series Empresses in the Palace, which shattered viewership records and sparked nationwide acclaim.

Liu's status as a cultural icon is reflected in performances that have defined pivotal moments in the country's modern history. In 1990, he collaborated with female singer Wei Wei on the song Ya Zhou Xiong Feng (Mighty Winds of Asia), which was dedicated to the 11th Beijing Asian Games, capturing the spirit of optimism and ambition of the era. In 2008, he took center stage at the Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony, performing You and Me alongside British soprano Sarah Brightman in a duet watched by billions around the world.

Beyond his career as an artist, Liu has dedicated himself to nurturing new talent and promoting original music. In 2012, he took part in the inaugural season of The Voice of China, helping launch the careers of many of his students. In 2014, he spearheaded the critically acclaimed reality show Sing My Song, which spotlighted original music and introduced a new generation of singer-songwriters, who have since produced a wealth of widely celebrated songs. Furthering his commitment to originality, he established the Liu Huan Original Music Fund in 2019, a philanthropic initiative to support singer-songwriters and promote the development of China's music industry.

"I am honored to entrust my life's work to Universal Music Greater China, a partner that values the integrity of music and recognizes its deep significance. I believe this partnership will not only expand the reach of my creations, but also amplify their impact on a broader scale," says Liu, adding that the deal will advance the global influence of Chinese culture, which he says aligns perfectly with his long-held goals.

"I look forward to seeing how our collaboration will bring the richness and beauty of Chinese culture to audiences around the world through music," he says.

"We are deeply honored to stand alongside Liu Huan as his chosen partner, supporting him in this exciting new chapter of his illustrious career. His ability to create music that speaks to the soul of a nation is unparalleled, and his enduring artistic vitality makes him truly one of a kind. With his trust, we are committed to celebrating his musical legacy, and together, we aim to promote the development of the Chinese music industry, and continue to elevate the global impact of Chinese culture," says Timothy Xu, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Greater China.

"We are committed to championing local artistry as part of our vision for a diversified global music culture. Liu Huan is a towering figure in contemporary Chinese music history, and we are proud to support his journey in sharing his extraordinary music with the world," says Adam Granite, executive vice-president of market development at the Universal Music Group.