After being named a worldwide model ambassador for Versace in Might, KUN is taking the partnership to the following stage with a collaborative single with the Italian luxurious model that highlights the Chinese language pop star’s inspiration from the intersection of music and style.
Set to debut in an upcoming marketing campaign for Versace Mercury sneakers, “Afterglow” can be launched globally in full this coming Friday, June 9. Like his earlier hits on Billboard‘s China TME UNI Chart together with 2022’s “Hug Me” and “TITLE” from final 12 months, KUN immersed himself within the inventive course of for “Afterglow” by using inspirations like patterns and cuts to ship a mix of darkish synthesizers and rock-inspired vocals.
Working as a singer and actor since his teenagers, KUN has spent the final 10 years showcasing an evolution from a actuality TV breakout and boy band member to a full-fledged solo celebrity with a number of albums, abroad excursions, and high-profile model endorsements to his identify. At present, the C-pop star is collaborating with writers and producers within the U.S. to craft a globally targeted music mission with the upcoming “Afterglow” single launch representing what he calls “a brand-new KUN sound.”
Learn on for extra from KUN on “Afterglow” and its significance in establishing what needs to be a serious 2024 and 2025 with extra music, stay performances, excursions and different treats for followers worldwide.
Congratulations on launching “Afterglow” alongside your international ambassadorship with Versace! Inform us extra about it and the way you began creating the monitor?
“Afterglow” is a brand-new single I produced in collaboration with Versace. I approached this tune from what I realized in style tradition — this piece really displays my journey as a musician and performing artist. Over the past two years, I’ve explored and experimented with many various genres, mixing old-school with new-school parts, and incorporating my private style into trendy music. “Afterglow” is born from all this course of.
You’re recognized for being concerned in composing your songs. In what methods did you get creatively concerned with “Afterglow”?
I draw inspiration from how designers curate their clothes patterns, the smooth reduce particulars and the eye to high quality, and translate that into the tune. I needed the synth design to be distinctive, edgy, and darkish whereas having vocals retaining that rock component. Whereas writing, I imagined scenes of style runway — flashing strobe lights — with a extra mysterious really feel. The runway could be an ideal setting for this sound.
What does “Afterglow” signify to your music profession?
Ranging from “Afterglow,” we are going to hear a brand-new KUN sound. We’re beginning a brand new chapter in music, and trying to launch extra songs in each Chinese language and English.
Will “Afterglow” have its personal music video too?
Many followers may keep in mind our earlier Artwork Lab stay live performance. Right here’s some unique information for my Billboard mates: Artwork Lab 2.0 is coming quickly, together with a stay efficiency of “Afterglow.”
How does style affect your life daily?
Style at all times conjures up me within the inventive strategy of songwriting. I really like classic clothes identical to how I really like listening to basic songs, in addition to cowboy hats and tough denims when writing rock songs. Style design is a tedious course of that entails fixed fine-tuning till the ultimate product is developed. That course of provokes or intrigues; it has no inventive boundary. Very very similar to when making music, there are infinite potentialities.
I learn that your Versace information went viral in China with 400 million views on Weibo in beneath per week and a No. 1 search subject for hours. Had been you anticipating such an thrilling response?
I used to be in a tune camp at that [time]. It was round 3 a.m. so I used to be truly in mattress when my staff woke me up and instructed me the excellent news. I admire the whole lot my followers do for me and we help one another all the way in which.
You visited the U.S., Canada, and the U.Ok. in your KUN ONE Tour in 2019. Are there any plans for extra abroad reveals?
We’re planning many surprises this 12 months; extra information is coming. I’ve been within the studio nonstop for an upcoming new mission. I’m additionally designing a brand new music present manufacturing that may convey sound to life on a stay stage with some proficient writers and producers from all around the world.
What else can we anticipate from you in 2024?
2024 has been my first step into constructing a label and firm that represents the artwork I really like a lot. I’ve been aiming at creating and releasing a couple of international music tasks from my label this 12 months and eager about a worldwide tour, so I’m pushing myself to hit these deadlines. I’ve by no means launched an official international album, and I’m placing within the work to make {that a} actuality. The music is the main target although, so if I don’t really feel it’s prepared, I could wait till early 2025. I’m having fun with the method of all of it.
Another objectives for this 12 months?
Targets… meet my deadlines. [Laughs] And if I meet these deadlines, the following purpose is an actual one: to ensure the individuals who hearken to the music and expertise it stay can really feel the identical manner I did once I was creating it. In the event that they inform me that they felt one thing, I hit my objectives for 2024.
The rest to share with readers or worldwide followers right now?
I’d like to work with artists from around the globe. Collaboration with artists of various cultures is what I really like about artwork, music, and style, so for worldwide listeners, message me with concepts, and likewise message me with cities that you just assume would wish to expertise my new tasks.
