THE DREAMER FROM CHANGSHA: An Interview with Chinese Rapper and Performer LAY ZHANG

Words by: Kimberly Haddad

PRESENTED BY KOTTÉ STUDIO

PHOTOGRAPHER VIKTORIJA PASHUTA @viktorija_pashuta

PRODUCER/CFO JACKSON CHONG @jacksonchong_

STYLIST DAVE THOMAS @davethomasstyle

PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT JATHAN CAMPBELL @jathancphoto

VIDEOGRAPHER GEORGE MASIN

 LOCATION COUP D’ETAT LOS ANGELES @coupdetatsf

CATERING PINK TACO @pinktaco & VAVA OMAKASE 

SET DESIGN DESIGN TONIK @designtonik

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO DARIN GEISE @daringeise & ALISON MACKIE @mackie.am

Tagged the “King of China” by his fans in Asia, the highly-praised musician, dancer, actor, and author, Lay Zhang, is rising to glory as he continues to hone his craft and inspire the world with infinite ambition. Headlining MetaMoon last year, the inaugural New York-based music festival, as part of his first-ever solo global tour “Grand Line 2: Infinite Lands” and releasing the crowd-pleasing EP West, followed by the lead single “Veil”, Zhang is flourishing into 2023 with a remarkable agenda.

While getting his start from the infamous K–Pop boy group EXO, Zhang furthered his growth as an individual artist, accumulating over 70 million followers across all social media platforms and magnifying his career through evocative performances and stellar roles in both television and film. His captivating journey has not only forged him into an international superstar, but has also led him to become the highest-ranked Mando-pop star on the Billboard 200 chart in 2018, and the first Chinese artist to enter the iTunes Top 60 in the U.S. with his third solo album Namanana.

Zhang is currently in the process of creating new music to be released this year, but above all, he is in a continuous state of gratitude for those who have helped shape him into the influential man he is today

You dove headfirst into the music industry after enrolling in the Star Academy talent show in 2005, where you unexpectedly became a finalist in the series. While you never thought you’d ever become an artist, what changed for you during this time in your life?
While at Star Academy, I was critiqued a few times on stage for not being professional enough. Hearing that gave me the motivation to prove them wrong and become better in all aspects. I like proving people wrong. It’s a good challenge. At the time, I wanted to prove to the judges and fans that I could be better. Becoming the artist I am today wasn’t what I originally had in mind. Looking back, I think I became an artist as I started to improve on my weaknesses. It was not a conscious choice, but rather the desire to prove that I could be better and show everyone that I could be professional.

In 2008, you trained as a performer in South Korea, eventually debuting as part of the K-pop group EXO. Talk to us about your journey and how you ended up here and now.
Going to Korea and leaving both my hometown Changsha and my mother was scary. There were hours and hours of training in a completely foreign environment. Sometimes, after training, I would go downstairs to the practice room and learn how to produce music. It was unusual for a trainee to be that interested in producing music and I was not very good at it. Becoming a dancer for SHINee was a huge milestone for me. It showed me that I was on the right path. Then, when I made it into EXO, I was overjoyed. In the early days, we traveled a lot between China, Japan, and South Korea. There were a lot of happy memories going into the studio and practicing new songs with my members, but nothing could compare to performing with them live. I felt, and still feel, so proud to be an EXO member and to see everything that we accomplished together. When I started doing more solo activities, I found it challenging. All of a sudden I had to do things alone and without my members by my side. It was hard, but it made me grow and helped me to become the person I am today. Now, my schedule is always filled with commercial shoots, television shows, variety shows, recording music, and trying to be an entrepreneur.

After 10 years with EXO, you finally decided to focus on your solo career. How did your experiences with EXO and in South Korea influence the artist, dancer, and businessman you are today? My brothers in EXO gave me so much strength and motivation to become the best artist and person that I could be. I did a lot of training in Korea. While it was tough, it gave me the skills I needed to become the artist and dancer that I am today. I reflect on those days often when I help train my trainees. I want to make sure I give them everything I had and more. I met a lot of talented people who took the time to explain things and train me. I have deep gratitude for that time in my life.

How did you discover your individual sound and personal brand since venturing our on your own? Who and/or what have been some of your most prominent influences? I’m not sure that I have found my sound yet. I like making music and performing. I would love to spend all of my time on stage and in the studio, but I think it’s the same with my brand, where I’m still experimenting and in the process of discovering it. Now that I’m over 30, I have to figure out who I want to be in this next decade. In the past, I’ve taken inspiration from people who have been able to dance, sing, and perform. I also appreciate people who are kind and hardworking.

Sharing your culture with the world is incredibly important to you. Talk to us about the process of merging languages, as well as Eastern and Western influences into your music?
I am blessed to have many talented musician friends from around the world. Normally, I’ll work with a producer and songwriter in Los Angeles. I’ll have about a week of song camp sessions where we are locked in the studio from noon to midnight. We’ll spend time making music, vibing and dancing nonstop. I also learn a lot of English and eat a lot of cookies during these sessions. Once we’re done, I’ll take the recordings back to China and talk to my team and other creative friends about how we can incorporate Chinese instruments and stories into the music.

How does it feel to be named the “King of China” by your fans and community?
I don’t know if I’m the “King of China”. That’s a strong statement. I am just Lay Zhang from Changsha, China. I am a man who loves the people of his country and making music. For me, music is my arena where I get to challenge myself and others. I want to experiment and make better music. Sometimes, I’m down to “battle” people when it comes to music, but it’s always in good spirits and fun.

You are in the process of making new music to be released this year. Talk to us about your creative process. Is there something you do to get into a creative state of mind?
Music gets me excited and making music gets me even more excited. I’m always looking for a reason to get into the studio. I don’t really need to put myself in a creative state of mind. I wait all day, sometimes weeks, to get into the studio and explore my ideas. And if I can’t wait any longer, I’ll just pull out my laptop and start making beats wherever I am. I always enjoy testing out my ideas and making music feels like the most natural medium for me to express them right now.

How do you think your music is being experienced by others?
I hope people are happy when they listen to my music. When they play songs like “Veil”, I hope they are dancing in a room with their friends and having a good time. I love seeing people do covers and reacting to my music in different ways.

What kind of impact do you hope to achieve through your artistry and career as a whole?
I hope that I can inspire other people to not only go after their dreams, but to also give it their all as they pursue them. Dreams are precious and beautiful. I want people to treat their dreams with the most respect. Respecting your own dreams will make them come true.

In what ways do you ensure you are continuously evolving, both as an artist and the person you are away from the public eye?
I have many teachers, mentors, and staff who give me a lot of advice. They’ll tell me the ways in which they think I should work on my vocals or how to handle certain meetings. I always want the people around me to be honest—all facts, no cap. If I’m not good, let me know so that I can get better.

What message would you like to send to the world about who you are and what you stand for?
Hi, it’s Lay. I’m a dreamer who hopes that everyone can achieve their dreams in this lifetime.

Can you tell us about a project or piece of work that you’re particularly proud of? I love all of my projects like they are my children. No child is better than the other and they all came at important stages in my life. My most recent project was West, and this was fun to release because “Veil”, the title song of the EP, was made almost five years ago, back in 2018. I normally make my records at least a year in advance, so it was great to hear “Veil” again. When I discussed it with my team, we all knew it needed to finally come out. With West, I even made “3 Wishes” on Zoom. We were in little boxes waving to each other and just hoping the internet was good enough so that we could hear all the sounds being made. Then, we’d go offline, do our own parts, and send them. There were times when someone would get knocked offline and then we’d have to wait even longer. The making of West was a very fun and different project.

How do you handle creative blocks or moments of self-doubt?
To be honest, I don’t have many creative blocks, but that is probably because I’m constantly learning and doing something different. Self-doubt is tough, but I’m always reminded of all the people I have around me who depend on me. I also think about my fans who have supported me this entire time. It gives me the power to know I can’t let them down.

Who is your favorite designer?
Pier Paolo Piccioli. He has been just a dear friend to me.

What are the last three songs you played?
“3 Wishes” by LAY, an unreleased demo I’ve been working on, and “God’s Plan” by Drake.

How would you describe yourself in five words or less?
Artistic, determined, passionate, a dreamer, and serious.

What is the most challenging aspects of being an artist of your stature?
There is a lot to do. My schedule has always been packed and full of activities. It’s a good thing because it means people still like me and want to see me. As I get older, I know I’ll get less popular, and fewer people will care about my music and career. It’s a bit scary to be totally honest. It’s something that I will have to learn to deal with.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
If I wasn’t an artist today, I would probably be a music teacher. I would definitely still be doing something related to music.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I want to work with people who are innovating and pushing themselves creatively. I feel so inspired by people who are able to produce, write, and sing. I really aspire to work with open-minded people.

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