##China Rock is Dead

Cui Jian has been given the title of Father of Chinese Rock, and many other grandiose pronouncements have been made about his contribution to the genre in his country.  Many western observers romanticize this rebel with a musical cause, elevating him as some sort of musical Moses to lead the next generation into a musical nirvana.  

But the truth is, Chinese rock is still dead.  To make that statement more complete, any form of non-traditional music is pretty much dead on the mainland.  The music that ordinary people listen to is largely Western music, Hong Kong Mandopop or Korean gayo music.

Perhaps compared to two decades ago, rock in China is making a noise not heard before.  But comparing it to the United States and Japan even on a local and micro-local level, the ordinary Chinese person does not have the leisure time nor the motivation to pursue any kind of recreational modern music.  In the United States, half of the boys at the high school age tinker around with a guitar or drumset, covering their favorite artist.  They may dream of striking it big, going on tour, or (heaven forbid) making it onto TRL.  In China, this sort of future is not feasible.  The existing entertainment infrastructure will not allow it.

I was heartened that on my last couple jaunts into Beijing I did see quite a few music stores on Heping Road.  I know there are some small punk clubs around the city.  And I wish that in a few years I will be able to attend a concert and encourage Chinese young people to express themselves creatively through music.

My point being, let's not kid ourselves as to the state of music in China today.  Modern music will still be in its nascent form until China can develop into a modern nation, economically and culturally.

--I love making blanket statements.  Maybe that's why I'm proven wrong so often.