Joker Xue

Joker Xue
薛之谦
Born (1983-07-17) 17 July 1983 (age 40)
Shanghai, China
NationalityChinese
Alma materGlion Institute of Higher Education
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2005–present
Notable work"演员" Actor, "丑八怪" Ugly
Spouses
Leixin Gao
(m. 2012⁠–⁠2015)
Leixin Gao
(m. 2017)
Children1 son: (2018-09-05) 5 September 2018 (age 5)
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Musical career
GenresMandopop
Instrument(s)Guitar, Piano
LabelsChaoshi Music

Joker Xue (simplified Chinese: 薛之谦; traditional Chinese: 薛之謙; pinyin: Xuē Zhīqiān, born 17 July 1983) is a Chinese singer-songwriter and record producer.

Formerly known as Jacky Xue, Xue is known for his hit songs and stage charisma with his signature musical style. Since his 2006 debut, Xue has produced a string of hits detailing love's triumphs and woes.[promotion?] His musical style melds the classic pop pairing of piano and strings with folk-tinged acoustic guitar and R&B beats. He is among the most-streamed Mandopop artists on Spotify.

Music career

In 2006, Xue released his self-titled debut album "薛之谦" Xue Zhiqian as Jacky Xue. That year he was awarded the Most Popular New Artist at the 6th Global Chinese Music Awards. The album was a success and brought about a few major hits, such as "认真的雪" Serious Snow, "黄色枫叶" Yellow Maple.

In 2007, Xue recorded his second album "你过得好吗" How Are You, and was nominated for seven categories at the Beijing Pop Music Awards, which established his reputation as a promising singer-songwriter in his early career.

In 2008, Xue released his third album "深深爱过你" Loved You Deeply. After listening to the song "传说" Legend in this album, Shinji Tanimura 谷村新司 was very impressed by Xue's compositions and invited him to the Asia Music Festival held in Osaka, Japan. On 25 July, Xue was honored as a torchbearer for the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay.

In 2009, Xue released a compilation album "未完成的歌" Uncompleted Songs, which lists selected tracks from several of his albums, along with three new songs.

In 2012, his fifth album was released, "几个薛之谦" Several of Xue Zhiqian. It marked the end of his seven-year contract with "上腾娱乐" Shangteng Entertainment, which went out of business soon after he left.

In 2013, Xue released his sixth album "意外" An Unexpected Journey, under the record company Ocean Butterflies. Notable songs include "丑八怪" Ugly and "你还要我怎样" What Do You Want Me To Do, which have over 70 million and 35 million views on YouTube, respectively.

In 2015, Xue released an EP, "绅士" Gentleman, which contains three tracks, including the highly popular song "演员" Actor. The music video for "演员" has been viewed over 180 million times on YouTube.

In 2016, Xue produced his seventh album "初学者" Beginner, which includes three songs from the EP "绅士" of the previous year and the notable single "剛剛好" Just Right. The music video for "剛剛好" has over 50 million views on YouTube.

In 2017, Xue released his eighth album "渡" The Crossing. Songs favored by critics from this album include “高尚” Noble and “动物世界” Animal World. In the same year, Xue held his concert tour "我好像在哪儿见过你" I Think I've Seen You Somewhere.

In 2018, Xue released his ninth album "摩天大楼" Skyscraper. In this album, songs like “摩天大楼” Skyscraper and “肆无忌惮” Reckless incorporates different musical elements, while “最好” The Best features a more balladic composition. In the same year, he started his "摩天大楼" Skyscraper World Tour.

In 2019, Xue released his tenth album "尘" Dust, which contains ten songs. The song "木偶人" has won a prize on a grand music ceremony hold by Migu Music.

In 2020, Xue released his eleventh album "天外来物" Alien From The Sky, which contains nine songs. Prior to the album's release, he released a series of singles which includes all songs on the album but one, "潘金蓮".

Early life

Xue was born and grew up in Shanghai, China. At four years old, his mother died of a heart disease. He studied painting in his youth, then Hotel Management at Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, before dropping out to pursue a music career.

Career

Early career

Xue started his music career in 2006, releasing several albums up until the year 2009.

In 2010, the boss of his company was not willing to publish Xue's album, despite it being an original creation, and Xue's team was dismissed as a result. However, Xue afforded all the expenditure to publish and advertise his album, wishing to continue his musical career. He began to find styling designers, dressers, and professional publishers to continue his career. During this period, he fell into depression, and lost weight sharply during those days. In a reality show, Xue needed to introduce himself to others in the universities and on the street, but no one knew him, and he was rejected to answer any questions. Finally, he was expelled, and said that he "cannot complete the mission today." In the following three years, Xue was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, reporting that he felt suicidal and need a large dose of medication to help with his insomnia. He finally decided to sell his apartment and run a hot pot restaurant to earn more money to continue pursuing music.[citation needed]

After earning some money, he spent it on advertisements for his album in order to push his image into fame. Xue also played some roles in crews or appeared in reality shows. In April 2012, he told journalists that he encouraged himself not to give up at pursuing his music dream, and that all the things he has done may seem crazy, but he did it to pretend that he was fine. He changed his English name from "Jacky" to "Joker" as a result.

Reintroduction to fame

Before 2016, Xue's image was a comedian appearing in many reality shows. For example, he was asked to eat lipstick, glasses, paper, and centipedes. He was also asked to open a durian using his bare hands or his head during one such show. However, in order to keep pursuing his dream of being a popular singer, he changed his image, sold clothes online, and sold his apartment to run a restaurant.

In an interview, when asked why he became a comedian, he answered that he was unwilling to but did it regardless to earn money so that he could pursue his career in music. Xue has also said that "If I go to more reality shows, I will definitely go insane, but appearing on these reality shows and acting like a crazy man have given me two things: making money for creating new songs and keeping exposure during the time when no new music production is published." Due to the music industry being more of a public service benefit in China, Xue has said that it was much harder to work and to earn a liveable wage in the career.

In 2017, Xue made business travels and recorded videos during the daytime and musical creations during midnight, writing on Sina Weibo in his car on the way to work. He said he was underweight and suffered from anxiety, which he claimed only let him sleep for 5 hours at a time. During this time, he returned back to his home three times, could only meet his father seven times in a year, and could not accompany his grandmother when she died, only able to talk to his grandmother through his psychologist.

Social activities

In 2007, Joker Xue went to Russia with other artists to participate in the China Cultural Festival key project "Friendship Tour along the Volga River" jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation Cultural Film Agency.

On 20 January 2008, Joker Xue presented the "Wings of Happiness" charity evening; then, he was elected torchbearer and passed the torch in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, and passed the torch. In March, a new book release was held in Shanghai. Not only donating part of the manuscript fee, he also took out 10 photos for auction. The proceeds were donated to the snow disaster-stricken area through the Shanghai Red Cross to support the reconstruction.

Discography

Extended plays:

  • (2015.06) Gentleman (绅士)

Albums:

  • (2006.06) Jacky (薛之謙)
  • (2007.07) How Are You? (你過得好嗎)
  • (2008.11) Unfinished Songs (未完成的歌)
  • (2012.08) Several Of... (幾個薛之謙)
  • (2013.11) An Unexpected Journey (意外)
  • (2016.07) Beginner (初學者)
  • (2017.12) The Crossing (渡)
  • (2018.12) Joker (怪咖)
  • (2019.12) Dust (塵)
  • (2020.12) Extraterrestrial (天外來物)
  • (2022.09) Countless (无数)

Concert tours

2021–2024 天外来物巡回演唱会 Extraterrestrial World Tour(In progress)
# Year Date City Venue Capacity Attendence Special Guest Remark
1 2021 23 October China Suzhou Suzhou Sports Center (Stadium) 35,000 60,000 Liu Xijun
2 24 October 35,000
3 27 November China Guangzhou Guangzhou University Town Stadium 35,000 47,946 Liu Xijun
4 28 November 35,000
5 2022 24 December China Haikou Wuyuan River Stadium 41,506 25,000 Liu Xijun
6 2023 18 March China Quzhou Quzhou Stadium 30,000 57,538 Liu Xijun
7 19 March 30,000
8 1 April China Nanning Guangxi Sports Center Stadium 60,000 39,963 Liu Xijun
9 14 April China Foshan Century Lotus Stadium 36,686 60,000 Wang Xiao Kun
10 15 April 36,686
11 21 April China Nanchang Nanchang International Sport Center Stadium 60,000 90,000 Liu Xijun
12 22 April 60,000
13 28 April China Nanjing Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre Stadium 63,000 77,000 Liu Xijun
14 29 April 63,000
15 13 May China Jinan Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium 56,808 73,000 Liu Xijun
16 14 May 56,808
17 20 May ChinaZhengzhou Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium -Zhengdi Stadium 60,000 80,000 ——
18 21 May 60,000
19 27 May ChinaLianyungang Lianyungang Sports Center Stadium 30,000 28,000 Liu Xijun
20 3 June China Wuhan Wuhan Sports Center 60,000 77,000 ——
21 4 June 60,000
22 10 June ChinaHarbin Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center Stadium 55,000 40,000 Liu Xijun
23 21 June ChinaShanghai Hongkou Football Stadium 35,000 87,000 Junjun 君君
24 22 June 35,000
25 23 June 35,000
26 1 July ChinaXi'an Xi'an Olympic Sports Center Stadium 60,000 83,000 Liu Xijun
27 2 July 60,000
28 8 July ChinaQingdao Qingdao Citizen Fitness Center Gymnasium Stadium 40,000 95,000 Wang Xiao Kun
29 9 July 40,000
30 14 July ChinaHengyang Hengyang Stadium 35,000 90,000 ——
31 15 July 35,000
32 16 July 35,000
33 22 July ChinaHefei Hefei Olympic Sports Center Stadium 60,000 115,000 Liu Xijun
34 23 July 60,000
35 28 July ChinaShenzhen Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre Stadium 60,000 95,600 Liu Xijun
36 29 July 60,000
37 5 August ChinaYichang Yichang Olympic Sports Center Stadium 40,000 60,000 Liu Xijun
38 6 August 40,000
39 11 August ChinaBeijing Beijing National Stadium 91,000 165,000 G.E.M.
40 12 August 91,000 Xu Song (singer)
41 13 August 91,000 Jane Zhang
42 18 August ChinaLanzhou Lanzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium 60,000 86,000 Liu Xijun
43 19 August 60,000
44 26 August ChinaZunyi Zunyi Olympic Sports Center Stadium 35,597 60,000 Wang Xiao Kun
45 27 August 35,597
46 2 September ChinaShenyang Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium 60,000 78,000 Wang Xiao Kun
47 3 September 60,000
48 9 September China Chengdu Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium 40,000 37,912 Liu Xijun
49 10September 40,000 —— The second show was canceled due to illness [1] Meet and greet session [2]
50 16September ChinaFuzhou Haixia Olympic Center Stadium 59,562 90,000 Liu Xijun
51 17September 59,562
52 22September ChinaGuangzhou Tianhe Stadium 54,856 108,000 Liu Xijun
53 23September 54,856
54 24September 54,856
55 29September ChinaChuzhou Chuzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium 47,000 Wang Xiao Kun
56 30September 47,000
57 5 October ChinaShijiazhuang Hebei Olympic Sports Center 33,572 Wang Xiao Kun
58 6 October 33,572
59 14 October China Tianjin Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium 54,696 Liu Xijun Wang Xiao Kun
60 15 October 54,696
61 20 October China Changzhou Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium 38,000 Liu Xijun
62 21 October 38,000
63 27 October China Qingyuan Qingyuan Sports Center Stadium 30,000 Liu Xijun
64 28 October 30,000
66 3 November China Chengdu Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium 40,000 Liu Xijun Wang Xiao Kun Return show - due to 10September show canceled[3]
65 4 November 40,000
66 11 November China Wenzhou Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium 50,000 Liu Xijun Wang Xiao Kun
67 12 November 50,000
68 19 November United Kingdom London OVO Wembley Arena 12,500 ——
69 22 November France Paris Zénith Paris - La Villette ——
70 2 December Hong Kong Hong Kong AsiaWorld–Expo 14,000 ——
71 3 December 14,000
72 8 December Macau Macau Galaxy Arena 16,000 ——
73 9 December 16,000
74 10 December 16,000
75 16 December China Sanming Sanming Sports Stadium Liu Xijun
76 17 December
77 23 December Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Axiata Arena Indoor Stadium 16,000 ——
78 24 December 16,000
79 25 December 16,000
80 2024 5 January Singapore Singapore Singapore Indoor Stadium 12,000 ——
81 6 January 12,000
82 7 January 12,000
83 13 January China Qujing Qujing Culture Sports Park 34,162 Liu Xijun
84 14 January 34,162
85 27 January China Haikou Wuyuan River Stadium 41,506
86 17 February  US , New York City Barclays Center 19,000
87 24 February  US , Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena 16,800
88 4 March  US , San Jose, California SAP Center 17,562
89 7 March Canada Vancouver Rogers Arena 19,700
90 13 March Canada Toronto Coca-Cola Coliseum 7,779
91 23 March Australia Sydney Sydney SuperDome (Qudos Bank Arena) 21,000
92 26 March Australia Melbourne Rod Laver Arena 14,820
93 30 March New Zealand Auckland Spark Arena 12,000
TBA ChinaQuanzhou Quanzhou Sports Center Stadium 34,000
TBA Thailand Bangkok Impact, Muang Thong Thani Arena 12,000
2018-2019 摩天大楼 Skyscraper World Tour (23 Shows)
# Year Date City Venue
1 2018 14 July China Beijing Workers' Stadium
2 28 July China Shenzhen Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre (Stadium)
3 11 August China Chengdu Shuangliu Sports Centre
4 26 August China Foshan Century Lotus Stadium
5 8 September China Hangzhou Yellow Dragon Sports Center (Stadium)
6 21 September China Changsha Helong Sports Center Stadium
7 30 September Macau Macau Cotai Arena
8 6 October China Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium
9 7 October
10 3 November Canada Vancouver Thunderbird Sports Centre
11 6 November Canada Toronto Paramount Fine Foods Centre
12 9 November United States San Jose San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
13 11 November United States Los Angeles Dolby Theatre
14 17 November Singapore Singapore Singapore Indoor Stadium
15 2019 14 February Malaysia Penang SPICE Arena
16 16 February Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Axiata Arena
17 10 March United Kingdom London Wembley Arena
18 1 April Australia Melbourne Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
19 7 April Australia Sydney Sydney Super Dome
20 4 April New Zealand Auckland The Trusts Arena
21 13 April Taiwan Taipei Taipei Arena
22 14 April
23 19 May Hong Kong Hong Kong AsiaWorld–Arena
2017 我好像在哪见过你 I Think I've Seen You Somewhere Tour (10 Shows)
# Date City Venue
1 22 April China Dalian Dalian Sports Center
2 29 April China Shenzhen Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre
3 20 May China Qingdao Guoxin Gymnasium
4 3 June China Guangzhou Guangzhou International Sports Arena
5 10 June China Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai)
6 17 June China Beijing Cadillac Arena
7 24 June China Wuhan Wuhan Sports Center
8 9 July China Kunming Kunming International Convention & Exhibition Center
9 15 July China Nanjing Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre
10 22 July China Chongqing Chongqing International Expo Centre
2008 谦年传说 Qian Nian Chuan Shuo Concert (1 Show)
# Date City Venue
1 20 December China Shanghai Shanghai International Gymnastic Center

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