Crazy Rich Asians gives China’s hip-hop queen Vava international exposure
Sometimes described as the Rihanna of China, rapper Vava is receiving global exposure thanks to the Crazy Rich Asians film. The former Rap of China contestant’s single, My New Swag, features on the film’s soundtrack
After rising to fame in China on a hugely popular hip-hop reality TV show, Vava is now receiving her big international break – and she has the film Crazy Rich Asians to thank.
The 22-year-old rapper from Sichuan province contributed to the film’s soundtrack with her single My New Swag – originally released in October last year. The song sits alongside others from the likes of 1950s Hong Kong singer Grace Chang, 1980s Canto-pop star Sally Yeh and modern Chinese jazz vocalist Jasmine Chen.
Crazy Rich Asians dominated the US box office over the weekend, beating expectations to bring in more than US$34 million since opening on Wednesday. The film opens in Hong Kong on August 23.
Vava is sometimes described as the Rihanna of China. She rose to fame as a contestant on the first season of The Rap of China. The reality show spread hip-hop fever across the country, leading concerned authorities to ban hip-hop culture from television for several months last year.
On the show, Vava rapped in both Mandarin and Sichuan dialect, and was the only female contestant to make it to the final four, where she eventually lost to winners PG One and GAI.
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Vava’s popularity has exploded since her appearance on The Rap of China; she has secured her high-profile advertisement deals and become a fashion icon as well as the face of Chinese hip hop across the country.
