CULTURE

CULTURE

Universal Music to boost vocalist's global career

By Chen Nan    |    chinadaily.com.cn    |     Updated: 2026-04-24 13:20

Share - WeChat
(From left) Timothy Xu, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Greater China; Ayanga; and Adam Granite, executive vice-president of market development at Universal Music Group. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Universal Music Greater China announced on Thursday that acclaimed Chinese musical theater vocalist Ayanga has joined its global artist roster, signaling the beginning of a new era for Ayanga's career as he embarks on an exciting journey with the global music powerhouse.

This signing marks a pivotal moment in the singer's career, as Universal Music China pledges its full support to help expand his presence as a recording artist. The label will aid Ayanga in producing new studio albums, facilitate live concert tours, and champion his creative evolution in the music industry. With a background in musical theater, Ayanga is set to bring emotional intensity and storytelling elements from the stage into contemporary music, pushing the boundaries of his artistic expression and connecting with an even broader international audience.

Born in 1989 in Erdos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Ayanga graduated from the musical department of the Beijing Dance Academy.

Ayanga is a celebrated figure in China's musical theater scene, having achieved numerous significant milestones in his career. He played the role of the Phantom in the Mandarin version of The Phantom of the Opera, also serving as the production's co-producer.

Vocalist Ayanga joins Universal Music Greater China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

He went on to produce and star in the Chinese version of The Count of Monte Cristo and appeared in the Mandarin version of Romeo and Juliet. A key figure in the development of original Chinese musical theater, Ayanga served as the producer, composer and lead actor for the highly successful musical Message, which had a groundbreaking run of 50 performances nationwide since it premiered in 2024.

Adam Granite, executive vice-president of market development at Universal Music Group, expressed his excitement about the partnership: "We are witnessing the rise of a new generation of Chinese artists whose creativity is deeply rooted in unique and rich artistic traditions. Ayanga's musical language, stemming from musical theater, is inherently narrative-driven and emotionally expressive, making it naturally suited for cross-cultural communication. This offers a tremendous opportunity to connect with global audiences, and we see immense potential in taking this distinct voice to an international stage."

Timothy Xu, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Greater China, added: "Ayanga is an artist of exceptional talent, a clear artistic vision, and immense stage presence. We are committed to providing him with the support and platform he needs to fulfill his grand musical aspirations. Together, we look forward to pushing the boundaries of his artistic expression and reaching a wider audience both in China and globally."

Vocalist Ayanga joins Universal Music Greater China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ayanga shared his excitement about this new chapter in his career: "I am truly honored to join the Universal Music family. I've always believed that art should not be confined to a single form, and that music can carry emotions, stories, and imagination, crossing different boundaries of expression. As I step into this new phase of my career, I am excited to create more groundbreaking works, expand my artistic language, and share my expressions with a global audience."

In addition to his musical theater achievements, Ayanga has made significant contributions to other entertainment fields. He has lent his voice to a range of projects, including the Mandarin promotional song for Disney's The Little Mermaid and the theme song Try Everything for the Shanghai Disney Resort's Zootopia attraction.

Vocalist Ayanga joins Universal Music Greater China.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

 

Copyright 1994 - .

Registration Number: 130349

Mobile

English

中文
Desktop
Copyright 1994-. All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co(CDIC).Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form.