Written in Chinese and sung in Cantonese, Cantopop is a melting pot of global influences much like the city of Hong Kong itself. A direct product of Hong Kong popular culture, Cantopop — or HK-pop (short for Hong Kong pop music) — is inspired by Western pop, rock, jazz, disco and ballads. And while it may have been eclipsed by the rise of K-pop and Mandopop in recent years, Cantopop groups such as Mirror and Collar are making a comeback.
The Cantopop genre began in the 1970s, and reached its highest glory in the 1980s and 1990s. At that time, Cantopop artists such as Anita Mui (dubbed Madonna of the East), Leslie Cheung and Andy Lau (who was known as one of the Four Heavenly Kings alongside solo artists Aaron Kwok, Leon Lai and Jacky Cheung), toured the world — especially in mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. Cantopop’s popularity started to decline in the new millennium, as Mandarin became more closely tied to China’s economic and cultural growth.
Interest in Cantopop has renewed following the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to prolonged border closures and travel restrictions. The pro-democracy protests in 2019 and the passing of Hong Kong’s national security law in 2020 has also contributed to a resurgence of Hong Kong pride, leading many natives to support their local artists.
Cantopop artists and composers hail from different parts of Asia, among them Taiwanese singers Sally Yeh and the late Teresa Teng, a Mandopop singer who also crossed over into Cantopop. There are also many Cantopop performers who were raised in Canada, including Denise Ho and Joyce Cheng.
During the pandemic, Cantopop boy band Mirror skyrocketed in popularity in Hong Kong. Local media has even described them as "the new kings of Cantopop." They’re hoping to bring their local success internationally, and released their first English single, "Rumours," in March.
As Cantopop experiences a resurgence, here is a list of 10 artists that have helped shape the genre over the decades.
Sam Hui
Sam Hui is widely credited with popularizing Cantopop by infusing Western-style music with his usage of vernacular Cantonese rather than standard written Cantonese. He also used witty and biting lyrics to address contemporary concerns, humorously satirizing the problems faced by working class Hong Kongers.
Hui was also known for his flamboyant biker outfits and guitar skills. He is considered to be the first major superstar of Cantopop, and was given the name "God of Song." His relatability also earned him the affectionate nickname "Brother Sam."
Beyond
Beyond was a Hong Kong rock band that formed in 1983, and is widely considered as the most successful and influential Cantopop band from Hong Kong. The band became known for singing songs about the pursuit of dreams, politics, peace and social issues including racism. One of their most famous works includes the 1990 song "Glorious Years (光輝歲月)," which was about racism and the struggle of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. The hit song stood out among the sea of love songs that dominated the Cantopop scene.
Beyond’s music continues to resonate. Their song "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" remains an anthem for Hong Kongers for its themes of personal freedom and the pursuit of dreams. It became the unofficial anthem of the 2014 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests.
Anita Mui
Anita Mui was a singer and actress who has been regarded as the "Madonna of the East" or the "daughter of Hong Kong" for her contributions to Cantopop. She was well known for her avant-garde costumes, high-powered performances and contralto vocals, which are rare for female vocalists.
She released 50 albums over the course of her two decade career. However, her career came to an abrupt end in 2003 when she announced she had cervical cancer, from which her sister also died at a young age. Mui held a series of concerts in Hong Kong that November — her last before her death in December at the age of 40.
Leslie Cheung
Known for his flamboyant and androgynous style, Leslie Cheung is considered a queer pioneer in the Cantopop scene. His career was marked by both praise and criticism, with numerous public discussions focusing on his sexual orientation.
Cheung first rose to fame in 1984 with the release of his self-titled album and the single "Monica," whose upbeat production introduced a new trend to the otherwise sentimental ballad-heavy Cantopop. Cheung also rose to fame as an actor, starring in films including A Better Tomorrow, Days of Being Wild and Happy Together, which depicted a gay male relationship.
Cheung’s last concert tour occurred between 2000 and 2001, in which he collaborated with fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier to create drag-inspired performances. Cheung died by suicide at the age of 46, and his death shocked the Asian entertainment industry as well as the Chinese community worldwide.
Andy Lau
Dubbed one of the Four Heavenly Kings (alongside Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung and Leon Lai), Andy Lau is one of the most successful Cantopop singers of all time. Each were solo singers who occasionally performed together on stage. During the 1990s, the Four Heavenly Kings – a name inspired by the the four Buddhist gods Jikokuten, Tamonten, Zochoten and Komokuten – dominated music and coverage in magazines, TV, ads and cinema, and each also developed successful acting careers. Lau starred in films including Infernal Affairs and God of Gamblers.
Lau’s singing career reached mainstream success in 1990 with the release of Would it Be Possible. And in 2000, he made the Guinness Book of Records for the most awards won by a Cantopop male artist. On top of singing in Cantonese and Mandarin, Lau has also sung in English, Japanese and Malay.
Faye Wong
Faye Wong came to public attention in 1989 with the release of her debut album Shirley Wong, in which she combined alternative music with mainstream Chinese pop. Throughout her career, she has been known to push the boundaries of Cantopop by drawing influence from punk, dream-pop and indie. Wong named Scottish post-punk band Cocteau Twins among her favorite bands, and noted their influence on her 1994 album, Random Thoughts.
Wong is also known for her acting, starring in Wong Kar-wai’s film Chungking Express. Her Cantonese version of the Cranberries’ "Dreams" is famously featured on the movie’s soundtrack.
Joey Yung
Joey Yung released her debut EP in 1999, but broke through the Cantopop scene with her 2003 single "My Pride." In the years since, she became known for singing slow-burn songs with climatic bridges, while her ballads and pop numbers have since made her a staple in the Hong Kong music scene.
With a worldwide fanbase, she has toured all over the globe with stops in the United States, Australia and Canada. Sheremains one of the most influential working Cantopop singers today. Her last Cantonese album Schrodinger's Cat was released in 2021, and continues to tour across Asia and parts of North America.
Collar
Collar was formed through the reality competition show "King Maker IV," and its name references what they consider to be the woman’s most attractive body part.
The name is meant to represent Collar as one of the most attractive girl groups, and their ability to enchant the audience with their talents and performances. The eight-member group debuted in January 2022 with the upbeat pop track "Call My Name!", which took heavy inspiration from K-pop with intense choreography and bright and colorful costumes.
Error
Error is a boy band consisting of members who competed on the reality competition show "Good Night Show - King Maker" in 2018. While members of the group ultimately did not win (the winners eventually became Mirror), they formed Error as a comedic musical act.
Their single "404" is a parody of Mirror’s "In a Second" (一秒間)." While Error do not have as big of a fandom as Mirror, the group now appear on variety shows and are loved by many for their wacky and outrageous antics.
Mirror
Mirror is a 12-member Cantopop boy group who have won numerous accolades in Hong Kong and have a loyal legion of fans, known as MIRO. Since their debut, Mirror has been considered one of the driving forces in the renewed interest of Cantopop with music that blends pop, funk, R&B and hip-hop. The group has prompted a wave of fandom culture in Hong Kong, with their faces plastered on billboards, buses and subway ads.
Now they are looking to further their popularity amongst international audiences with the release of their first English single "Rumours." The EDM-laced track has the members singing about the rumors surrounding a potential relationship, and its accompanying music video has since reached more than 890,000 views.