Learn Mandarin Through Music: 8 Modern Chinese Artists You Can’t Miss
If you want to make learning Mandarin fun, there’s no better way than through music. Listening to modern Chinese bands and artists helps you absorb pronunciation, tone flow, and cultural context naturally, while exploring China’s vibrant music scene.
Whether you are into indie rock, R&B, or hip-hop, here are some of the best Mandarin music artists you can start listening to today.
Carsick Cars – Legendary Chinese Indie Rock Band
Carsick Cars from Beijing are one of the most influential names in the Chinese indie rock scene. Their music is raw, loud, and full of energy, with noisy, repetitive guitar riffs and driving rhythms that capture the spirit of Beijing’s underground scene.
Their lyrics are a great example of natural spoken Mandarin, making them ideal for intermediate learners who want to train their ear while discovering something cool.
🎧 Start with 〈Zhong Nan Hai〉 and 〈告别 Farewell〉
FAZI (法兹) – Post-Punk with a Chinese Twist
FAZI (法兹) from Xi’an delivers hypnotic, rhythm-driven post-punk with steady, driving beats and chant-like vocals. Their songs often use spoken-style Mandarin, which is excellent for learners to hear rhythm and sentence flow in real context.
🎧 Start with 〈控制 Control〉and 〈甜水井 Sweet Water Well〉
Deca Joins – Chill, Dreamy Mandarin Music
Deca Joins from Taiwan creates soft, hazy, and slightly psychedelic tunes. Their relaxed vibe, gentle vocals, and smooth melodies make their songs perfect for learners who enjoy laid-back Mandarin listening practice. Their lyrics are poetic yet conversational, perfect for naturally expanding your vocabulary.
🎧 Start with 〈浴室 Bathroom〉and 〈海浪 Waves〉
Lexie Liu (刘柏辛) – Futuristic Chinese Pop and R&B
Lexie Liu (刘柏辛) from Changsha blends R&B, trap, and electronic beats with a sleek, modern style. Her songs switch between Mandarin and English, and her smooth, expressive vocals make her music ideal for practicing pronunciation and listening to contemporary Mandarin.
🎧 Start with 〈Manta〉 and 〈佳人 Beautiful Woman〉
J.Sheon – Smooth Mandarin R&B
Born in Taiwan, J.Sheon has become a household name across the Mandarin-speaking world. His smooth R&B sound and natural phrasing make his songs great for learners who want casual, everyday Mandarin vocabulary in a relaxed, musical context.
🎧 Start with 〈你不懂 You Don’t Need to know〉 and〈 You'll Never Know〉
GAI (周延) – Chinese Rap with Tradition and Power
GAI (周延) from Chongqing blends modern trap beats with traditional Chinese melodies. His strong, expressive delivery and vivid storytelling highlight regional accents and tone, making his music a dynamic way to experience Mandarin in rap form.
🎧 Start with 〈虎山行 Tiger Mountain Journey〉 and 〈威远故事 Weiyuan Story〉
Vava (毛衍七) – China’s Queen of Hip-Hop
Vava (毛衍七) from Ya’an, Sichuan brings confident, catchy trap and R&B with clear Mandarin pronunciation. Her strong rhythm and melodic flow make her songs ideal for learners who want to practice listening and comprehension while enjoying modern hip-hop.
🎧 Start with 〈我的新衣 My New Swag〉 and 〈安逸 Easy Life〉
SKAI ISYOURGOD (揽佬) – Rap & Trap from Guangdong
SKAI ISYOURGOD (揽佬) from Huizhou, Guangdong makes energetic, playful rap with a mix of Mandarin and southern vibes. His punchy flow, catchy beats, and street-smart style make his music fun to listen to and perfect for learners who want to practice modern Mandarin in hip-hop.
🎧 Start with 〈八方来财 Wealth From All Directions〉 and 〈大展鸿图 Great Ambitions〉
Take it further with M for Mandarin lessons, where music, culture, and conversations come together to help you learn Mandarin while having fun.