Huayu 1992, my entertainment era

Chapter 143 Zhou, You Are a Genius

"If you continue like this, you will offend the entire Hong Kong community sooner or later."

Although she was in Guangdong, Florence Hui would have people send the latest reports from Hong Kong every few days.

On this day, after reading Zhou Ziheng's remarks against Shuang Muxi and Dicky Cheung in the Hong Kong media reports, Florence Hui couldn't help but find Zhou Ziheng and say something.

"Haven't I already offended him? I can even say that it has been like this since the day Jacky Cheung and I became opponents."

Zhou Ziheng said nonchalantly.

It is not easy for mainland singers to make it in Hong Kong.

Not to mention Zhou Ziheng, who became an enemy of Jacky Cheung shortly after arriving in Hong Kong.

Because of this incident, he has long had a gap with the Hong Kong circle.

The reason why he is doing well is simply that his grades have always been good.

Just like Wang Jie, he offended everyone in the Hong Kong circle in the first two years after he went to Hong Kong.

But while his record sales are declining and his influence is still there, the Hong Kong circle can't do anything to him.

If it weren't for the fact that in the past two years this guy went crazy, had a falling out with Warner, had some money in his hands and planned to retire, he would definitely still be a top-tier star now.

The same is true for Zhou Ziheng.

Until his record sales dropped drastically and stopped bringing profits to EMi and the companies that made a fortune from his economic benefits, he was completely invincible.

Zhou Ziheng has so many songs in his mind, and he doesn't believe he can be like Wang Jie.

Moreover, even if he was squeezed out of Hong Kong, it would not have much impact on Zhou Ziheng.

Zhou Ziheng knew very well that it would not be long, maybe a year or two, before the location of the Hong Kong Chinese Entertainment Center would be lost to someone else.

The first step is to transfer to Wanwan.

Especially in the music industry, starting from 1995, the benefits of Wanwan's long-term insistence on originality finally emerged.

When Hong Kong began to spontaneously boycott cover songs, Wanwan took advantage of the situation and surpassed Hong Kong in one fell swoop, becoming the center of the Chinese music scene.

Then wait a few more years, at the beginning of the century, as the mainland's economy develops to a certain level, with the help of economic, population and other conveniences, the mainland will completely end the glory of Hong Kong and Taiwan, take over the banner, and become the undisputed leader of the Chinese-speaking region.

Artists from Hong Kong and Taiwan flocked to the north.

"You don't have to worry. As long as my commercial value remains, no one can do anything to me!"

Seeing Florence Hui’s worry, Zhou Ziheng explained.

"Anyway, you should pay attention. My friends in Hong Kong say that the entire Hong Kong community is ostracizing you.

If this continues, you will easily lose the Hong Kong market."

Huo Wenxi said alertly.

Florence Hui did not continue talking about this topic. She just reminded Zhou Ziheng from the perspective of an agent.

Since Zhou Ziheng had already anticipated this and was prepared, there was no point in her saying more, as it would only create a rift between the two of them.

……

By August, the first phase of the English album had been completed and all the songs had been arranged.

After completing the arrangement, Zhou Ziheng immediately went into the recording studio to record "As Long As You Love Me" and "Everybody".

Then contact EMi Records.

Although EMi Records promised to invest resources in this English album in Europe and the United States, the fact is that they have no confidence in Zhou Ziheng.

Zhou Ziheng needs to come up with two songs in advance to give them more confidence.

Only in this way can they avoid playing tricks during promotion and avoid being perfunctory towards Zhou Ziheng.

Both songs recorded by Zhou Ziheng were included in the Backstreet Boys' 1997 album "Backstreet Boys".

After its release, it achieved a terrifying sales volume of 12 million copies in the United States.

Note, only the United States.

The album sold 12 million copies in the United States.

If global sales are counted, the total sales should be no less than 20 million copies.

These two songs are the most popular songs on this album.

It can be said that these two songs made this album a success.

It was also because of this album that the Backstreet Boys became an overnight sensation and became a hot superstar group in the United States and even the world.

As long as EMi is not blind, they will not ignore these two songs.

After receiving the notice, EMi immediately sent someone over.

It’s still Nie Anda. Zhou Ziheng is the singer he signed into the EMi camp and belongs to his faction. Both sides prosper and suffer together.

Maybe there are other people in EMi who hope that Zhou Ziheng's album will fail, but he is definitely not one of them.

For him, the more successful Zhou Ziheng is, the greater the benefit to him.

So, although he also didn't want Zhou Ziheng to release an English album, after Zhou Ziheng insisted, he had no choice but to support him.

Now, after Zhou Ziheng produced two songs, he came to Guangdong as soon as possible.

"Oh my god, Zhou, you really are a genius!"

Zhou Ziheng's first studio, this house has been bought by Zhou Ziheng and converted into a recording production studio.

Shared by Zhou Ziheng Studio and Hengdong Records.

When Nie Anda arrived, the first thing he listened to was two songs.

After hearing this, Nie Anda suddenly jumped up with a look of excitement on his face.

“You’ve succeeded, you’ve managed to produce two songs that could potentially hit the US Billboard charts.

Really, I didn’t expect that you not only have extraordinary attainments in composing Chinese songs, but also English songs.

Superstar, I believe you will become a superstar of this era."

"I told you that you should believe me!"

Zhou Ziheng had been prepared for this. The reason these two songs were able to achieve such success in the United States is that their music styles and rhythms are among the best of this era.

Even a person who doesn't understand music will think the song is good after listening to the recorded version.

Not to mention professionals like Nie Anda.

"It's my fault, Zhou. I'm too narrow-minded."

After hearing Zhou Ziheng's words, Nie Anda stood up and apologized to Zhou Ziheng solemnly: "I apologize to you, please rest assured that I will fully support the release of your album in Europe and the United States.

Although I don’t have many resources in Europe and America, I have a friend working at the US headquarters, and I will convince him to give you promotional resources for this record that are no less than B-level.”

European and American record companies have very complete systems.

Just like Hollywood divides the company's film projects into levels such as ABCD.

The same is true for albums on record labels.

Before an album is released, the record company will conduct an internal evaluation to determine the market potential of the album.

The publicity and treatment for different levels are completely different.

"Of course, I believe you!" Zhou Ziheng said with a smile.

"Thank you! I think our cooperation is unbeatable.

Just like how "Fairy Tale" swept the Chinese music scene, we hope this English album can also achieve good results in Europe and the United States."

Nie Anda smiled and said, "By then, you will really become the Bruce Lee of the music industry, the first Chinese to make a name for yourself in the European and American music market.

I can’t wait to see the incredulous expressions on the faces of the Hong Kong media and music critics.”

"I hope so, but I still need to work harder." Zhou Ziheng said modestly. After a pause, he said:
"You should be able to hear that these two songs have a dance style. I hope EMi can find a professional dance team for me. I need to shoot a MV with dance."

The original MVs of these two songs were very average and were very incompatible with Zhou Ziheng.

Therefore, reshooting the MV is a must.

Zhou Ziheng’s idea was to find a dance team and hire a choreographer to turn the song’s MV into a passionate dance MV.

After this album, he will try his best to learn dance and create a label for himself as a dance singer.

To be honest, Zhou Ziheng was wondering if he and Aaron Kwok were enemies.

Otherwise why do you always try to steal his business?

That's what the photo is about.

Because of his appearance, the sales record of celebrity peripheral products that Aaron Kwok was supposed to continue to win was directly broken.

Now, he wants to snatch Aaron Kwok’s title of Dance King.

"No problem, I will immediately arrange for someone to come from Europe and America."

Nie Anda did not ask whether the dance troupe should be from Hong Kong or Europe and the United States.

In fact, there is no need to ask. This record is an English record, so there is no doubt that in order to cater to European and American audiences, the dance team must choose European and American dance troupes.

The two chatted for a while, and Zhou Ziheng sat down to invite Nie Anda to dinner.

Instead of choosing a nearby place, I went to Huirulou.

In fact, Zhou Ziheng prefers Ronghua Building.

However, Ronghua Building is close to Liwan Square.

Last August, a mysterious fire broke out in Liwan Plaza, killing 8 people, injuring 24, and leaving more than 12 people homeless.

Afterwards, all kinds of supernatural events began to occur here.

As a result, the business of the nearby Ronghualou was also affected.

Although Zhou Ziheng didn't believe in this thing, he rarely went there after that.

“I used to pursue my dreams when I was young”

“I just want to fly forward”

“Travel through thousands of mountains and rivers”

“You can’t go back after walking this path”

There is a music and video store opposite Huiru Building, and the song "Forget Love Water" is playing slowly.

The streets were filled with people, creating a picturesque scene.

Sitting by the window, Zhou Ziheng looked a little dazed.

It had been a long time since he sat down and had a meal so quietly.

In the past two years, he has been busy with one album after another and has no time to stop and take a good look at Guangzhou.

Today, after I sat down, I realized that the surroundings had changed a lot.

In just two years, more people from other provinces have come to Guangdong to work.

Guangzhou’s architecture is also constantly changing.

Two years ago, he remembered that there was still an empty lot behind this street. Looking at it today, a building with more than 20 floors has been built there.

“‘Forget Love Water’ is indeed a good song. If Warner had introduced it to Guangzhou earlier, this album might have surpassed your ‘Fairy Tale’ and become the sales champion this year.

Now, what a pity..."

Seeing Zhou Ziheng looking at the opposite side, Nie Anda also looked over.

When he heard the singing from the other side, he couldn't help but speak:
"We all concluded that Andy Lau would not be able to stay at Warner for much longer.

The company is also actively contacting him and wants to sign him, but it is very difficult. "

"Why is Warner doing this?"

Zhou Ziheng's heart moved and he asked.

This year's record market is absolutely turbulent.

In January and February, Zhou Ziheng's "Fairy Tale", Jacky Cheung's "Blessing", Aaron Kwok's "Wild City" and Alan Tam's "Dreamy Smile" were popular all over Asia.

Then in April, Leon Lai released the album "Staying for Love", and the song "My Love for You Will Always Be a Little More" in it was very popular at one point.

But it didn't last long before Andy Lau came out with "Forget Love Water".

This album is phenomenal.

Only a few albums such as Zhou Ziheng's "Fairy Tale" and "Sad Pacific", Jacky Cheung's "Kiss Goodbye" and Zhou Huajian's "Flower Heart" can compare with it.

After the release of "Forget Love Water", it immediately achieved very impressive results in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other places.

However, what is surprising is that Warner has not promoted it to the mainland for a long time.

This led to the rampant piracy of this album in mainland China. By the time "Forget Love Water" was actually introduced to mainland China, pirated copies were already everywhere, which directly affected the sales of this album in mainland China.

Hearing Zhou Ziheng's question, Nie Anda hesitated for a moment and said, "I heard that someone in Warner is working with your record company in Guangzhou to engage in piracy.

So the release of Love Water was postponed on purpose."

really.

Zhou Ziheng knew this was the case.

There is no airtight wall in the world.

Zhou Ziheng was holding a concert when "Forget Love Water" was released.

At that time, he heard that "Love Water" was selling very well in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

However, it was not introduced to the mainland for a long time, and was introduced to the mainland half a month later than Taiwan.

In just over ten days, the result was that the market was full of pirated VCDs.

At that time, some people in the circle said that someone in Cailing was working with a senior executive of Warner to engage in piracy.

“Piracy is rampant in your mainland right now, so your next album release must be synchronized throughout Asia.

Also, you have to pay attention to the interior.”

Nie Anda reminded.

Hearing this, Zhou Ziheng nodded.

It can only be the.

Piracy is something that cannot be completely banned.

All he could do was prevent the master tapes from leaking in the early stages of release.

At the same time, we have to be on guard against any tricks played by the mainland distributors we cooperate with.

……

After seeing Nie Anda off, Zhou Ziheng continued to make records.

In order to avoid the master tape from being leaked and the problem of piracy arising early on, Zhou Ziheng did not hand over the produced song to EMi, and only let Nie Anda take one copy back.

And let Nie Anda keep the master tape safe.

Because it’s the first time I’m making an English album.

The production pace of the entire album was very slow.

August has completely passed, and the album has not yet been officially completed, and there is still a lot of post-production work to be done.

In early September, the dance team that EMi Records contacted Zhou Ziheng arrived.

Zhou Ziheng contacted Mei Zhuoyan, who had previously choreographed for his concert.

Ask her to choreograph the song.

After all, he is a great choreographer, and his abilities are outstanding.

In less than a week, she had choreographed dances for two songs for Zhou Ziheng.

Zhou Ziheng watched it several times and found it to be of very good quality and youthful.

However, Zhou Ziheng did not start dance training immediately.

Instead, he attended Yang Yuying's Guangzhou concert on September 9th.

As the original golden boy and jade girl, he is also the current number one king in mainland China.

Yang Yuying had invited Zhou Ziheng several times to her concerts, but he had refused each time. This time, he really couldn't refuse, so he had to put his work aside temporarily and attend.

(End of this chapter)