Modern Sky's Newest Indie Rocker: Film Icon Maggie Cheung

She was a martial arts master in Hero and a lover in In the Mood for Love. She won an award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival. Now, Maggie Cheung is Beijing-based record label Modern Sky's biggest signing.

"We are signing her not because of her popularity, but because her musical taste is good, she has a unique voice," Modern Sky boss Shen Lihui told Sina Entertainment.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but landing a star of Cheung's caliber, albeit that she is more of a film star than music so far, probably cost Modern Sky RMB 600,000-700,000, although label musician Song Dongye, who is working with Cheung, has a deal worth about RMB 10 million.

Media reports say Cheung has already penned a dozen songs -- all of them in English.

For Modern Sky, the signing is another step in its evolution from an indie label to the multimedia juggernaut it is today. To sign one of China's biggest movie stars is roughly akin to a western label signing the likes of Angelina Jolie.

Although not yet officially announced, rumors have Cheung appearing at Modern Sky's Strawberry Music Festival, which hits Beijing May 1-3 and will move on to nine other cities in China this year. Cheung is definitely on track to produce a solo album, and possibly front a solo tour of her own.

Check Maggie out in the video above. Do you think she has the musical chops to make a go of it? Let us know in the Comments section below.

Video: Youku.com; Photo: Youku screencap