In an ever-shifting social landscape of ego-starved artists who boost their online profiles, ZHU is a unique voice making a name for himself – without ever having mentioned it.
In early 2014, the phantom artist released a series of songs including a medley of reworked Outkast classics that took the online music world by storm. Preferring to let his works speak for himself, ZHU shied away from the public eye, and articles in Billboard, Vice, and the LA Times attempted to glean more into his identity and story. Another song, 'Faded,' became an international hit, spawning dozens of remixes and even secure a Grammy nomination - a first for an anonymous artist. His NIGHTDAY EP has since become a cult classic, many pointing to the push of pop culture back to artistry and less about self-promotion and clicks.
With intense coverage from Pitchfork to The Fader, ZHU’s sophomore Nightday EP and Genesis Series, featuring credible collaborators of all genres including AlunaGeorge, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Skrillex, and more, was a true artistic experience with music, animated shorts scored to song snippets, and digital art activations. It foreshadowed the intricate ecosystem of ZHU: a fashion line, live cinematic concert experience, art murals, and more.
ZHU's debut album, Generationwhy, is the next chapter of his evolution as a producer since his first EPs. The work is a concept album - one that examines the human emotions and the millennials' pursuit of purpose in life. Unlike other albums with electronic music elements, the album spotlights live performance to curate a heartfelt mood and a living pulse. Generationwhy is psychedelic journey into the ZHU's mind and a fresh take on what a dance driven album can be.
