Abao

Zhang Shaochun (Chinese: 张少淳, born 27 February 1969), known professionally as Abao (Chinese: 阿宝), is a Chinese folk singer from Shanxi.[1] He first came to prominence as the winner of the CCTV talent contest Xingguang Dadao ('Star Road') in 2005,[2] and became one of the best-known folk singers from the northwest of China.[3][4]

For the Taiwanese musician, see Abao (musician).

Early life

Abao was born in the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi on 27 February 1969.[1] He began singing when he was four, influenced by a local folk singer although he had no formal training. Apart from Shanxi folk songs, he also learned to sing other folk songs, including songs of Shaanbei from neighbouring Shaanxi.[5] He enrolled at Datong Arts School when he was twelve, and graduated in 1986.[2]

Career

After graduating, at the age of 17, he began to sing in a music bar in Datong, later joining a travelling troupe, singing at weddings and other occasions in villages around the country.[6] He sang in a variety of genre including pop, rock and folk.[5][7]

In 2004, Abao was performing in Beijing when he was spotted by a producer of a TV show.[7] He was placed in folk-singing competition Xibu Mingge Diansi Dasai ( 西部民歌电视大赛) organized by CCTV, for which he received a bronze prize. Following his appearance on the show, he released a CD, self-titled Abao. He then entered the first season of the singing contest Xingguang Dadao. In the final in 2005, he performed "The Wild Lilies Bloom a Brilliant Red" (山丹丹开花红艳艳, Shandandan kaihua hongyanyan),[8] and won the contest, beating the duo Phoenix Legend.[9][10]

After winning the title, Abao performed regularly on television for many years, including the 2006 CCTV New Year's Gala. He released his second album in 2006.[6] He has also appeared as a judge on various television shows, including Xingguang Dadao.[5] In 2013, Abao participated in the Chinese reality television show Splash!.[11]

Performance style

Abao has a wide vocal range, and sings in a distinctive high-pitched voice. His style of singing is a mix of folk styles of Shanxi, Mongolia, and in particular the Xintianyou style of Shaanxi.[12] Abao typically performs dressed as a peasant from Shaanxi, wearing a sheepskin jerkin with black pants, and a white towel knotted on his head.[2]

Although he is not from northern Shaanxi but neighbouring Shanxi, he became best known for the Xintianyou style of folk songs of Shaanxi, and was called the "Xintianyo Song King" (信天游歌王, xintianyou gewang). However, he has been criticised by folk song experts for not being authentic in his vocal technique and style.[5][13] Nevertheless, his popularity changed the flavours of those folk songs performed by other folk singers, a process described as the "Abao phenomenon" by a scholar.[14][15]

Discography
  • Abao《阿宝》(2005)
  • Xiang qinqin xiang zai xinyan yanshang《想亲亲想在心眼眼上》(2006)
  • Lei dandan《泪蛋蛋》(2012)
  • Nongye zhongjinshu 《农业重金属》(2014)

Songs
  • 为你跑成罗圈腿

References
  1. "曾经《星光大道》的冠军阿宝，发展如何？". Btime.com. 17 February 2018.
  2. Paul Clark (7 May 2012). Youth Culture in China: From Red Guards to Netizens. Cambridge University Press. p. 118. ISBN 978-1-107-01651-4.
  3. Gibbs, Levi Samuel. "Song King: Tradition, Social Change, and the Contemporary Art of a Northern Shaanxi Folksinger".
  4. "Why Old Folk And New Jazz Go Hand in Hand". China Internet Information Center. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  5. Levi S. Gibbs (2018). "Chinese Singing Contests as Sites of Negotiation Among Individuals and Traditions". Journal of Folklore Research. 55 (1): 49–75. doi:10.2979/jfolkrese.55.1.03. JSTOR 10.2979/jfolkrese.55.1.03. S2CID 149380079.
  6. "阿宝的故事 告诉你一个真实的阿宝". Soomal.com. 2 March 2006.
  7. ""原生态"歌手的城市契约". ce.cn. 12 April 2007. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  8. "星光大道》诞生总冠军 放羊娃阿宝走进春晚". Sina. 9 October 2005.
  9. "2005年《星光大道》年度总冠军——阿宝". CCTV. 7 September 2012.
  10. "乡土民歌手阿宝首张个人专辑《阿宝》问世". Sina. 21 March 2005.
  11. Kao, Ernest. "Reality diving show makes tepid splash on China television". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  12. "资料图片：星光大道第一个月冠军榜-阿宝". Sina. 15 August 2005.
  13. Gibbs, Levi S. (31 May 2018). Song King: Connecting People, Places, and Past in Contemporary China. University of Hawaii Press. p. 28. ISBN 9780824876029.
  14. Liu Yulin 刘育林; et al. (2010). 陕北民歌通论 [A General Survey of Northern Shaanxi Folksongs]. p. 255. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  15. "从"阿宝现象"看陕北民歌的现状与未来". Archived from the original on 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
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