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Zhu (musician)

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Zhu
ZHU performing in 2018
ZHU performing in 2018
Background information
Birth nameSteven Zhu
BornApril 28, 1989 (1989-04-28) (age 35)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • musician
  • record producer
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Synthesizer
  • piano
  • horns
  • vocals
Years active2014–present
Labels
Websitewww.zhumusic.com

Steven Zhu, known mononymously as Zhu (/zuː/; stylized in all caps;[3] born April 28, 1989), is an American electronic music producer and singer who has been active since the beginning of 2014, signed to Mind of a Genius Records.[4] Until mid-2014, Zhu remained anonymous, asking to be judged by his music alone. His debut album, Generationwhy, was released on July 29, 2016[5] and first premiered at Coachella during his closing set in the Sahara Tent. Zhu's Coachella performance was praised, with a writer for the New York Observer suggesting that he could be "the next Daft Punk".[6]

Early life

[edit]

Zhu is of Chinese heritage and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where he attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory.[7] He played in jazz bands and orchestral practices at school, and later studied music at the University of Southern California. A member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he graduated from the USC Thornton School of Music in 2011. That year, he released a remix of experimental electro outfit BluntGuitar's "We Fell Off" on Los Angeles indie label No Ego Records, which was licensed to MTV and appeared in an episode of a Jersey Shore spinoff entitled The Pauly D Project. As part of "52 to Zhu", an ambitious project in which he released a new track every week for a year from summer 2011 to summer 2012, he released "Brute (Bad Bitch)," a progressive electro-house number featuring singer/model Cassie Cardelle. The track led his debut EP, Introducing Zhu, which featured three other tracks: "Radar", also featuring Cardelle, "Back to You" featuring Angela Via, and "Stalemate (Vibe Together)". After EDM trio Krewella, following several years of touring and a radio hit with the song "Alive", debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 with their debut album Get Wet, the group's manager Jake Udell, a friend of Zhu's from high school, immediately sought out Zhu and eventually signed him to his talent management firm Th3rd Brain.[8]

Career

[edit]

Zhu's first track, "Moves Like Ms Jackson",[9] a mashup of several songs by Outkast, was released anonymously in February 2014 and was positively received by blogs and reviewers covering electronic music.[10] Other tracks appeared on the music streaming site SoundCloud throughout February and March,[11] followed by an EP titled The Nightday in April 2014,[12][13] which earned a number 1 play of the week on Triple J.[14]

The first single from The Nightday, titled "Faded", drew support from Pete Tong, who named it an "Essential New Tune" on his radio show on BBC Radio 1.[15] "Faded" was released in March 2014, and quickly climbed the global charts, peaking at number 3 in Australia and the UK, and number 12 on the US Dance/Electronic chart.[citation needed] "Faded" was certified platinum in Australia in 2014[16] and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.[17]

In a November 2014 interview, Zhu's manager Jake Udell described the current music climate as "very black and white" and acknowledged that Zhu's race played a role in the decision to release and market his music anonymously, saying: "Some of us don't even know the limitations of our own prejudice. Rather than put those limitations to the test, we've created an engaging way for fans to focus on the music rather than who's behind it."[4] Zhu stated in a February 2015 interview that "the project [Zhu] is all about art, and we try to make it about the songs and the response."[17]

On May 15, 2015, Zhu appeared on Pete Tong's "After Hours" show and performed a 40-minute DJ mix, mostly consisting of unreleased remixes, and also announced the Nightday Collection clothing line.[18][19] On November 6, 2015, Zhu released a collaborative EP titled Genesis Series.[20] It featured appearances from Skrillex, AlunaGeorge, A-Trak, and Bone Thugs N Harmony, among others. The EP received critical acclaim for its diverse sound and diverse range of talent. "Working for It", the lead collaboration with Skrillex and They.,[21] reached the top 40 and was certified platinum in Australia.[22] It also charted on the US Dance/Electronic chart.

In 2016, the single "In the Morning" was released. After his Neon City Tour, he announced that his debut album, Generationwhy, would be released on July 29, 2016, and that "In the Morning" was the first single from the album.

On June 13, 2016, Zhu released the title track, "Generationwhy", as the second single from the album.

Zhu's success carried over into 2017, where he was a featured performer in Ultra Music Festival 2017 in Miami on the live stage on March 24, 2017. His performance was positively received. Also in March, he released the single "Nightcrawler", which was followed by a second single "Intoxicate". Additionally, Zhu provided remixes of "Andromeda" by Gorillaz,[23] "Bad and Boujee" by Migos,[24] and "Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Man.[25] That same year, he released his third EP, titled Stardustexhalemarrakechdreams, on August 18.[26] The EP's lead single, titled "Dreams", is a collaboration with electronic music trio Nero. The EP's single "Chasing Marrakech" was featured by Apple in an ad for the iPhone XS and XS Max on September 14, 2018.[27]

On April 26, 2018, Zhu released the first installment of his second studio album, Ringos Desert, as an extended play.[28] The full album was made available five months later on September 7, comprising 14 tracks featuring Tame Impala, Majid Jordan, and Tokimonsta. An accompanying North American tour was announced in support of the album.[29]

In 2019, Zhu released the song "Came for the Low", the music video for which featured 2020 United States presidential candidate Andrew Yang.[30] The song was also featured in the third episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which was released onto Disney+ on April 2, 2021.

On May 14, 2020, he released the single "Only" in collaboration with Tinashe as the first single from his third studio album Dreamland 2021.

In July 2022, Zhu released his first mixtape, titled Musical Chairs Mixtape (Vol.1). The mixtape consists of seven songs, including a collaboration with the Grammy-nominated artist Elderbrook.[31]

In June 2023, Zhu embarked on his first headlining tour in five years. The news arrived alongside the announcement of his collaboration with the video game Mortal Kombat 1, for which Zhu produced an original track titled "Fatal".[32][33]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[34] 		US
Dance
[35] 		AUS
[36] 		CAN
[37]
Generationwhy 109 1 35 88
Ringos Desert
  • Released: September 7, 2018[29]
  • Label: Mind of a Genius
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 — 15 — —
Dreamland 2021
  • Released: April 30, 2021[38]
  • Label: Astralwerks
  • Format: CD, digital download, vinyl, streaming
 — 11 — —
Grace
  • Released: March 15, 2024[39]
  • Label: Astralwerks, Zhumusic
  • Format: CD, digital download, vinyl, streaming
 — — — —
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Dance
[35] 		US
Heat.
[40] 		AUS
[36]
The Nightday
  • Released: April 20, 2014[41]
  • Label: Mind of a Genius, Columbia
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, vinyl
 11 5 6
Genesis Series
  • Released: November 6, 2015
  • Label: Mind of a Genius, Columbia
  • Formats: Digital download
 11 — —
Stardustexhalemarrakechdreams
  • Released: August 18, 2017[42]
  • Label: Mind of a Genius
  • Formats: Digital download
 — 10 —
Ringos Desert Pt. 1
  • Released: April 26, 2018[28]
  • Label: Mind of a Genius
  • Formats: Digital download
 19 23 —
Musical Chairs Mixtape (Vol. 1)
  • Released: July 29, 2022[43]
  • Label: Astralwerks
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 — — —
Days Before Grace
  • Released: September 8, 2023[44]
  • Label: Astralwerks
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 — — —
"—" denotes an extended play that did not chart or was not released.

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US Dance
[45] 		AUS
[36] 		BEL
(FL)
[46] 		DEN
[47] 		IRE
[48] 		NL
[49] 		UK
[50]
2014 "Faded" 12 3 7 2 39 69 3 The Nightday
2015 "Automatic"
(with AlunaGeorge) 		19 97 59 — — — — Genesis Series
"Working for It"
(with Skrillex and THEY.) 		11 30 — — — — 71
2016 "Generationwhy" 26 — — — — — — Generationwhy
"Hometown Girl" 40 — — — — — —
2017 "Nightcrawler" — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Intoxicate" — — — — — — —
"Dreams"
(with Nero) 		36 — — — — — — Stardustexhalemarrakechdreams
2018 "Blame"
(with Ekali) 		— — — — — — — Non-album single
"My Life"
(with Tame Impala) 		20 — — — — — — Ringos Desert
"Coming Home"
(featuring Majid Jordan)[52] 		— — — — — — —
2019 "Mi Rumba"
(with Sofi Tukker)[53] 		— — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Man's First Inhibition"
(with Nghtmre)[54] 		— — — — — — —
"Zoning"
(with the Bloody Beetroots)[55] 		— — — — — — —
"Came for the Low"
(with PartywithRay)[30] 		22 — — — — — —
2020 "Only"
(with Tinashe)[56] 		25 — — — — — — Dreamland 2021
"Desire"[57]
(with Bob Moses) 		40 — — — — — — Desire
"Follow"[58]
(with Kito and Jeremih) 		20 — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Risky Business"[59] 37 — — — — — —
"I Admit It"[60]
(featuring 24kGoldn) 		23 — — — — — —
2021 "Sky Is Crying"[61]
(featuring Yuna) 		39 — — — — — — Dreamland 2021
"Yours"[62]
(with Arctic Lake) 		16 — — — — — —
"Monster"[63]
(featuring John the Blind) 		— — — — — — — Non-album single
"Z-Train"[64] — — — — — — — Dreamland (Deluxe)
"Lil Mama"[65]
(with Partywithray) 		— — — — — — — #Partystarters
"I'm Into It"[66]
(with Paul Oakenfold and Velvet Cash) 		— — — — — — — Shine On
2023 "Revelations"[67]
(with Devault and BabyJake) 		— — — — — — — TBA
"Changes"[68] — — — — — — —
2024 "Settle for Less"
(with Sabrina Claudio) 		40 — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.
[edit]
List of singles released as featured artist
Title Year Album
"Radar"
(Cassie Cardelle featuring Zhu) 		2013 Non-album single
"My Blood"
(AlunaGeorge featuring Zhu) 		2016 I Remember
"No More"
(DJ Snake featuring Zhu) 		2019 Carte Blanche
"All On Me"
(Tchami featuring Zhu) 		2020 Year Zero

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Grammy Awards

[edit]
Year Award Nominee / work Result Ref.
2015 Best Dance Recording "Faded" Nominated [17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (January 31, 2018). "ZHU Teases Tame Impala Collaboration". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  2. ^ Rishty, David (June 9, 2017). "The 10 Best ZHU Songs (Updated 2017)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  3. ^ Tong, Peter (May 19, 2015). "BBC Radio1 AfterHours Mix with Pete Tong". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Medved, Matt (November 10, 2014). "How Dance-Pop Act Zhu Scored a Major-Label Deal Using Just His Logo and His Music". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  5. ^ Geslani, Michelle (June 14, 2016). "Zhu shares summery new single "Generationwhy" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  6. ^ "Is Zhu the Next Daft Punk?". Observer. May 10, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  7. ^ Fintoni, Laurent (July 26, 2016). "Why Zhu Used Anonymity To Put His Music First". The Fader.
  8. ^ Khawaja, Jemayel (February 6, 2015). "The Truth About Zhu: From Frat House Outcast to Grammy Nominee". Vice Media.
  9. ^ Jamshed, Zahra (February 11, 2014). "ZHU – Moves Like Ms. Jackson (OutKast Remix)". Hypetrak. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  10. ^ "Moves Like Ms. Jackson | Do Androids Dance". doandroidsdance.com. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  11. ^ "SoundCloud – Hear the world's sounds". soundcloud.com. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  12. ^ "Zhu – Nightday (Full EP Stream)". Hypetrak. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  13. ^ "The Nightday [Mind of A Genius] :: Beatport". beatport.com. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  14. ^ "Zhu's 'Paradise Awaits.' drops with NightDay EP Pre-order". www.dancingastronaut.com. April 9, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  15. ^ "How Dance-Pop Act Zhu Scored a Major-Label Deal Using Just His Logo and His Music". billboard.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". www.aria.com.au. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  17. ^ a b c Brown, August (February 5, 2015). "Zhu, the mystery man behind 'Faded,' opens up (a little) pre-Grammys". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  18. ^ "Zhu Teases New Music, Announces BBC Radio 1 Mix". Your EDM. May 10, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  19. ^ "Nightday Collection". Nightday Collection. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  20. ^ "Zhu Reveals 'Genesis Series' Featuring Skrillex, AlunaGeorge, Bone Thugs N Harmony & More". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  21. ^ "Zhu x Skrillex x They. – Working For It (Zane Lowe World Premiere)". Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  22. ^ "Instagram photo by Zhu • Jun 18, 2016 at 4:47pm UTC". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2016 – via Instagram.
  23. ^ "Andromeda (feat. Dram) [Zhu Remix] – Single by Gorillaz on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  24. ^ "Zhu x MIGOS – Bad and Boujee". Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  25. ^ "Feel It Still (ZHU Remix) – Single by Portugal. The Man on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  26. ^ "stardustexhalemarrakechdreams – EP by Zhu on Apple Music". iTunes. August 18, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  27. ^ Apple (September 14, 2018). "iPhone XS — Everything to know in :54 — Apple". Retrieved September 21, 2018 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ a b Narozniak, Rachel (April 26, 2018). "ZHU makes sensuous return with new EP, 'Ringos Desert Pt. 1' [Stream]". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  29. ^ a b Bein, Kat (September 7, 2018). "ZHU's Expanded 'Ringos Desert' Finds Salvation in New Tunes: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  30. ^ a b Bein, Kat (October 25, 2019). "Zhu Shows Face, Cosigns His Democratic Candidate in 'Came For The Low': Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  31. ^ Zhu (July 29, 2022). "Musical Chairs Mixtape (Vol.1) by Zhu". Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via Spotify.
  32. ^ Thomas, Valeska (June 15, 2023). "Grammy®-Nominated Artist Zhu To Embark On The Grace Tour This Fall". Live Nation Entertainment. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  33. ^ Downs, Chad (June 9, 2023). "Zhu's 'Fatal' A Trap-Inspired Single For The Mortal Kombat Franchise". Cultr. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  34. ^ "Zhu Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  35. ^ a b "Zhu Chart History: Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  36. ^ a b c "Discography ZHU". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  37. ^ "Zhu Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  38. ^ "DREAMLAND 2021 by ZHU". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  39. ^ "GRACE by ZHU". Spotify. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  40. ^ "Zhu Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  41. ^ "THE NIGHTDAY – EP by ZHU". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  42. ^ "Stardustexhalemarrakechdreams – EP by ZHU on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  43. ^ "Musical Chairs Mixtape (Vol. 1) by ZHU on Spotify". Spotify. July 29, 2022.
  44. ^ "Days Before Grace by ZHU". Spotify. March 17, 2024.
  45. ^ "Zhu Chart History: Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  46. ^ "Discografie ZHU". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  47. ^ "Discography ZHU". Danish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  48. ^ "Discography ZHU". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  49. ^ "Discografie ZHU". Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  50. ^ "ZHU | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  51. ^ "British certifications – Zhu". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 20, 2022. Type Zhu in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  52. ^ Narozniak, Rachel (August 10, 2018). "ZHU & Majid Jordan refine R&B on new single, 'Coming Home'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  53. ^ Bein, Kat (January 18, 2019). "Sofi Tukker & Zhu have fun getting nasty with 'Mi Rumba': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  54. ^ Watts, Nick (August 23, 2019). "Nghtmre & Zhu – 'Man's First Inhibition' ft. Kidd Keem". Your EDM. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  55. ^ Bein, Kat (September 5, 2019). "The Bloody Beetroots & Zhu's 'Zoning' is a hard-hitting psychedelic journey: Exclusive premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  56. ^ Hilberath, LJ (May 15, 2020). "Zhu Delivers Pop-Friendly Collaboration With Tinashe". EDM.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  57. ^ Kupfer, Rachel (July 16, 2020). "Bob Moses joins forces with Zhu for forthcoming album's titular track, 'Desire'". EDM.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  58. ^ Sani, Niko (August 14, 2020). "Kito and Zhu tap Jeremih for summertime anthem 'Follow'". EDM.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  59. ^ Sani, Niko (September 11, 2020). "ZHU drops haunting single 'Risky Business' alongside music video". EDM.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  60. ^ Belbin, Carlie (November 6, 2020). "ZHU shares new bass-heavy track 'I Admit It' with 24kGoldn". EDM.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  61. ^ Stone, Katie (March 26, 2021). "Zhu shares new single with Yuna, confirms release date of new Dreamland 2021 Album". EDM.com. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  62. ^ "ZHU Shares New Song & Video "Yours" With Arctic Lake". edm.com. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  63. ^ Howard, Lindsay (July 25, 2021). "ZHU & John The Blind share addictive new single 'Monsters'". Variance. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  64. ^ "ZHU Drops Funky New House Number "Z-Train"". thissongissick. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  65. ^ "Lil Mama - Single by partywithray & ZHU on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  66. ^ Masim, Austria (December 9, 2021). "Paul Oakenfold, ZHU, and Velvet Cash link for 'I'm Into It'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  67. ^ "Revelations". Spotify. May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  68. ^ "ZHU Returns With New Single 'Changes'". U Discover Music. July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
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