Li Zhi

Über Li Zhi

Nanjing folk singer who built one of mainland China's largest grassroots followings by playing every livehouse and bar he could book and selling records through his own label, Pilot Records. His songs about provincial cities, anniversaries, and personal disillusionment turned into anthems for a generation of urban migrants. He was effectively erased from the Chinese internet in 2019 after authorities removed his music from streaming platforms and ban listings followed, but his catalogue still circulates outside the firewall.