Joker Xue
薛之谦
Born (1983-07-17) 17 July 1983
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. 20122015)
    Leixin Gao
    (m. 2017)
    Children1 son: (2018-09-05) 5 September 2018
    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. 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.[1] 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.[2]

    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,[3] which established his reputation as a promising singer-songwriter in his early career.[4]

    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.[5] On 25 July, Xue was honored as a torchbearer for the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay.[6]

    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.[7]

    In 2013, Xue released his sixth album "意外" An Unexpected Journey, under the record company Ocean Butterflies.[8] 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.[9][10]

    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.[11]

    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.[12]

    In 2017, Xue released his eighth album "渡" The Crossing.[13] 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.[14]

    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".[15]

    Early life

    Xue was born and grew up in Shanghai, China. At four years old, his mother died of a heart disease.[16] 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."[17] 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.

    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.[18] 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.[19]

    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.[20]

    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.[21]

    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.[22]

    On 20 January 2008, Joker Xue presented the "Wings of Happiness" charity evening;[23] then, he was elected torchbearer and passed the torch in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, and passed the torch.[24] 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.[25]

    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 Meet and greet session
    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
    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)
    # YearDateCityVenue
    1 201814 JulyChina BeijingWorkers' Stadium
    2 28 JulyChina ShenzhenShenzhen Bay Sports Centre (Stadium)
    3 11 AugustChina ChengduShuangliu Sports Centre
    4 26 AugustChina FoshanCentury Lotus Stadium
    5 8 SeptemberChina HangzhouYellow Dragon Sports Center (Stadium)
    6 21 SeptemberChina ChangshaHelong Sports Center Stadium
    7 30 SeptemberMacau MacauCotai Arena
    8 6 OctoberChina ShanghaiHongkou Football Stadium
    9 7 October
    10 3 NovemberCanada VancouverThunderbird Sports Centre
    11 6 NovemberCanada TorontoParamount Fine Foods Centre
    12 9 November United States San JoseSan Jose Center for the Performing Arts
    13 11 NovemberUnited States Los AngelesDolby Theatre
    14 17 NovemberSingapore SingaporeSingapore Indoor Stadium
    15 201914 FebruaryMalaysia PenangSPICE Arena
    16 16 FebruaryMalaysia Kuala LumpurAxiata Arena
    17 10 March United Kingdom LondonWembley Arena
    18 1 AprilAustralia MelbourneMelbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
    19 7 April Australia SydneySydney Super Dome
    20 4 AprilNew Zealand AucklandThe Trusts Arena
    21 13 AprilTaiwan TaipeiTaipei Arena
    22 14 April
    23 19 MayHong Kong Hong Kong AsiaWorld–Arena
    2017 我好像在哪见过你 I Think I've Seen You Somewhere Tour (10 Shows)
    # DateCityVenue
    1 22 AprilChina DalianDalian Sports Center
    2 29 AprilChina ShenzhenShenzhen Bay Sports Centre
    3 20 MayChina QingdaoGuoxin Gymnasium
    4 3 JuneChina GuangzhouGuangzhou International Sports Arena
    5 10 JuneChina ShanghaiMercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai)
    6 17 JuneChina BeijingCadillac Arena
    7 24 JuneChina WuhanWuhan Sports Center
    8 9 JulyChina KunmingKunming International Convention & Exhibition Center
    9 15 JulyChina NanjingNanjing Olympic Sports Centre
    10 22 JulyChina ChongqingChongqing International Expo Centre
    2008 谦年传说 Qian Nian Chuan Shuo Concert (1 Show)
    # DateCityVenue
    1 20 DecemberChina ShanghaiShanghai International Gymnastic Center

    References

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    2. "唱片销量破20万 薛之谦坐上环球内地头把交椅". 搜狐音乐. 13 August 2006. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
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    4. "薛之谦新专辑销量破十五万 出访俄罗斯在即". 新浪娱乐. 22 August 2007. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
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    7. "薛之谦合约到期 发新专辑庆30岁生日". 新浪音乐. 18 July 2012. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
    8. "薛之谦自曝身世泪洒 新专辑《意外》发布". 新浪音乐. 11 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
    9. "丑八怪 - YouTube". YouTube.
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    11. "演员 - YouTube". YouTube.
    12. "剛剛好 - YouTube". YouTube.
    13. ""数说"演唱会:张学友、薛之谦领跑演出市场". 搜狐音乐. 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
    14. "尘 (2019年薛之谦发行的专辑)".
    15. "天外来物 - Album on Spotify". Spotify. 31 December 2020.
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    17. Jian chi ni suo jian chi de,Xiang xin ni suo xiang xin de. Bei jing lian he chu ban gong si. 2018. ISBN 9787559623461.
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    23. "图文:赛我广州幸福公演--薛之谦帅气坐唱_影音娱乐_新浪网". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
    24. "河南省人民政府门户网站 奥运圣火在郑州传递". www.henan.gov.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
    25. "薛之谦率粉丝献爱心 捐稿费拍卖照片以支援灾区_影音娱乐_新浪网". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
    • 薛之谦 - Weibo
    • 薛之谦 - 小红书 / Little Red Book/ Xiaohongshu
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