GREATEST: Lexie Liu
Pop's futuristic new voice talks creative processes and bridging the global gap.
Lexie Liu is the 21-year-old musician making moves from East to West. As a contestant on the popular Chinese show The Rap of China, Liu upended everything audiences thought they knew about female rappers. With the release of her first EP, 2030, she gained the attention of the European and American markets, creating an opening for young Chinese musicians and cementing her own distinctive style. With her crosscultural appeal, the Changsha, Hunan-native is shaping global youth culture through a unique worldview in music, and rich sci-fi visual vocabulary.
When did your interest in music start? What were your first explorations in music?
I was in fourth grade when my parents gave me an iPod as a gift and I started downloading songs from the Internet. I just started to listen to music everywhere I went. Every time I walk alone, I like to be accompanied by beautiful sounds. I started off doing covers and then I started to write my own verses to change some parts in the songs, here and there. I just realized while creating my own sounds—it isn't as hard as I thought it would be. When I turned 16 I wrote my very first song.
How has your songwriting process evolved since you wrote your first song?
I wrote the first song down on paper and recorded it with my phone. Now I’m more into the beat first and then I have some mumbles and melody ideas recorded at my home studio.
Who has influenced you musically? How would you describe your musical style?
I am inspired by a lot of different artists from all around the world. My favorites would be Lana Del Rey, Future and 6LACK. I don’t ever want to be boxed in to any type of genre because I’m still exploring myself through music. I have to try different styles and see. I’m open to any sonically pleasing music, but I mainly focus on [a mixture of] R&B, hip-hop, pop and Mandarin pop.
What was the last piece of art or music that truly inspired you?
I went back to The Fame by Lady Gaga [recently]. I used to listen to it on repeat in fifth grade walking home from school, and got reinspired by the retro-futuristic style again.
You were a contestant on K-Pop Star 5 and The Rap of China. What was those shows’ impact on your career?
K-Pop Star 5 is so important to me. Without doing that show I wouldn’t be where I am right now . It made me learn a lot and practice everyday alone in Korea—when I was 14 I didn’t even know how to speak any Korean. It was a hard experience, but also fun. It also made me understand that that kind of life isn’t really what I wanted. I would like some freedom making my own music, so I just went back to China and started my own thing. Rap of China was like a summer camp—fun. I started getting recognized by people on the street.
What are some of the creative accomplishments that you are most proud of?
I’m always proud of the most self-representative songs, [like] “Mulan” from my first album, 2029. I connect to my roots through songs inspired by Chinese legend, and send out a message for girls.
You have mentioned Blade Runner as a visual inspiration, and your latest EP is titled 2030. What is it about futurism that inspires you?
The endless possibilities.
What are the greatest challenges that come with being an independent musician?
Being an independent musician is challenging, for sure. I take this kind of risk [so that I’m able to] express myself freely. Independent musicians have to spend more energy and time on keeping an eye on everything going on around you. It’s not a bad thing—it gives you a bigger picture when doing everything on your own.
You made your US debut at South by Southwest. What was that like?
It was an absolutely amazing experience for a college student, like I was. I just went with my best friend, and I did my own makeup and hair and styling. It was really fun, because it was the first time for me to perform in the US. It’s a big party where everyone just vibes with the performance. I definitely felt their energy.
Do you feel any pressure to live up to the media’s depiction of you?
This is a very double-sided thing. It’s so amazing that people can see my potential, and how far I could go in the future. It’s definitely motivation for me. But it brings pressure, too. Sometimes I don’t know if I’m actually that good. We all have that kind of time to doubt ourselves. But it’s a good sort of pressure.
Music has always been inseparable from fashion. What is your relationship to style as a performer?
When I perform, I like to wear comfy stuff so I can jump around on stage and bring all of my energy. I can only do that when I’m feeling comfortable with what I’m wearing—[ideally something] sporty and tomboyish.
As a cross-cultural artist, are there elements of your music you worry about getting lost in translation?
I’m just simply being myself as a Western culture-inspired Chinese girl. I don’t think too much about crossover in my music because it’s [natural to me]. Like having a bowl of Changsha rice noodles with an a.a. smoothie for breakfast in the morning, it’s a fun thing to do.
How do you stay true to your roots as a Chinese performer as your career rises on a global level?
I’ve always been staying true to my roots since I’m a Chinese girl who grew up in China. Sometimes I just can’t help but quote amazing Chinese poetry in my songs. I even try to write my own lyrics in the Chinese ancient way of writing. I’ve always wanted to represent too [where I’m from]. That’s my ambition. I want to represent by definitely sticking to my roots. There’s still a long way to go for me though, in terms of representing China to the world.
Interview by Didi Hu
Photography by Zhi Li
Styling: Macci Leung