Busk Stop: Zheng Tianqi, Street Musician

Zheng Tianqi was discovered by a TV producer while busking in 2009. Since that big break, he’s appeared on CCTV (and started a media company employing 20 staff ) but on occasion he can still be found at Xiangshan. Just don’t call him Xiangshan Boy.

What songs do you like to play?
Koushui (“saliva”) songs. [口水歌 means super-popular, easy-to-learn songs. –Ed.]

Tell us something unusual that happened at Xiangshan.
People are not allowed to sing in the park for money, so every time I go there, it’s guerrilla warfare with the park staff. They run after me, I go. They leave, I come back.

Winters at Xiangshan are really cold. One day, as I was sitting on the concrete, singing, two middleaged women came all the way from Daxing District (after three hours on the bus) to give me cushions to sit on. That day I sang with tears. Too many people have come and helped me.

Any advice for other street performers?
It’s definitely a tough road to walk. In this material world, it’s hard to make it without money – tuition is high and creating music is expensive. There are hundreds singing in the underpasses, but how many are as lucky as Xidan Girl and Xuri Yanggang [a migrant-worker duo that made it big in 2010].

Are there songs that you can’t sing?
My Chinese songs satisfy most audiences, but English songs? I know none. Last year I signed up for a class to power up my English.

Why “Xiangshan Boy?” Why not “Xiangshan Man”?
Because I’m not married. I don’t even have a girlfriend yet. I feel “man” should be reserved for guys that are married. But I’m a tough guy and “Xiangshan Boy” is a nickname that tourists gave me. I hate it. I prefer people call me by my real name.

Where are the best street performers?
Houhai, I think. There are so many bars there – of course there are more good singers.

How did you end up singing at Xiangshan?
At first I worked the underpasses, but too many people sing there. I couldn’t make it happen, so I tried my luck at Xiangshan. The results have been great.

How long do you think you’ll continue singing here?
At Xiangshan? Just occasionally. When I feel upset, I go there to chill and sing some songs I used to sing there. It’s like a home to me.

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Photo: dcbbs.zol.com.cn