Bloodz Boi is probably one of the most prominent artists in China's underground music scene. A key player in understanding cloud rap, a genre of rap music in which lo-fi, ambient, trap, R&B and the surreal merge. But it is also a type of hip-hop that through modern productions uncovers feelings, sounds lethargic in parts, and is made in a bedroom. And that says a lot about the artist but also about the listener. He is a pioneer in his field of work, but paradoxically he is not so well known in China.
As a producer, he is excellent at recreating a heartfelt atmosphere through textures and sounds that function as a refuge for his lyrics; direct from his heart and sung in Mandarin. He was part of the Heheanon Music Empire Group with artists such as Vicious Boy, 3Bangz and Future Star, considered by The Quietus as a “seed for the underground Chinese hip hop scene.” He has collaborated with Tohji, Claire Rousay, Umru, Nosgov, How To Dress Well, Eden and Qian Zheng Hao, among many others. Moreover, according to all the times he has been interviewed, he looks like a very nice guy and is open to talking about his emotions, which, as he says, “sometimes make him feel more pain than the other superpowers.”
When you talk to him you discover his sensitivity and his incredible talent for capturing feelings about life, death, faith, love and loyalty. Something he might have in common with the Swedish art collective Drain Gang; in fact, Bloodz Boi participated in the first Year0001 compilation album, alongside Yung Lean, Bladee or Thaiboy. Last year, his albums 365, with Quit Life, and A Crying Poem, which he made with Claire Rousay and More Eaze, received impressive reviews, the latter being his best work to date; a beautiful collection of poems that elevates his talent as a composer. He’s as important as musicians like Loraine James, Hudson Mohawke, Jai Paul, Imogen Heap, Oneohtrix Point Never or Arca to understand the development of modern music. We had the opportunity to talk to him about his works, his references, his future plans and his role in the Chinese hip-hop scene.
