Introduction
The period between 1980s and 1990s remains one of the significant periods in the political arena of China. During this period, the Tiananmen Square protests were witnessed Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang passed away. Students who demanded democracy and greater transparency in the government led the protests. During these protests, Cui Jian, a Chinese rock artist was one of the main individuals that inspired these students as they advocated for a democratic country. Cui started singing in 1981 and went on to form a band in 1984. He became famous in 1985 when he performed his hit single “I’ve got nothing”. Cui is a rock music artist known for being the first Chinese musician to venture into the rock genre. He is famous for his political advocacy as he calls for new internationalism and democracy. Through his artistry, which includes singing and song writing, Cui was able to inspire students as they rebelled against the government while calling for a change in the political system of the country. This paper will look into the historical narrative of China including the political unrest in 1980s and 1990s, the students’ protests at Tiananmen Square, the music career of Cui Jian, and the influence that Cui Jian music has had on youths and the political system of China.
Historical Narrative
Historically, China has been one of the richest, fertile, best-cultivated, prosperous, and industrious countries in the world. Its economy was also among the strongest in the world for a long period. The economy of China started stagnating at around 16th century. In 19th century and much of 20th century, the economy of China continued to decline in absolute terms, although a brief recovery period was witnessed at around 1930. In 1978, reformists in the Communist Party of China started the Chinese Economic Reform. These economic reforms that introduced market principle were carried out in two phases. The first phase was initiated in late 1970s and early 1980s. This phase involved agriculture decollectivization, opening up of China to foreign investors, and allowing of entrepreneurs to launch their businesses. The second phase was carried out in the late 1980s and 1990s and it involved privatization of industries that were mostly state-owned, price controls lift, and development of protectionist policies. In 1989, most of the students in Chinese universities started demanding for more political and economic reforms. By this time, the country had experienced over 10 years of tremendous growth in its economy as well as liberalization of policies. Many of the Chinese citizens had now been exposed to foreign standards of living and ideas. Even though economic advances in China were responsible for bringing new prosperity among the citizens, they were accompanied by inflation of prices as well as increased loopholes for government officials to engage in corrupt deals. The central government had encouraged intellectuals such as scientists in the country to be more active in politics in mid 1980s. However, due to student demonstrations that demanded for increased individual freedom and rights in 1986 and 1987, the hardliners in the government decided to suppress what was referred to as “Bourgeois Liberalism.” Most of the people that encouraged democracy in the country were targeted by this new stance. Hu Yaobang, was one of the individuals affected by this new stance by the government and some Chinese Communist Party Officials.
In 1987, Hu Yaobang, who was the Chinese Communist Party General Secretary, was forced to resign from his position. The move was orchestrated by the people in the authority who felt that Hu was creating unnecessary political unrest in the country due to his constant calls for democracy and criticism of the government. In 1989, Hu Yaobang passed away leading to increased political unrest. He passed away on the 15th of April 1989.Three days after his death, country’s patriots and democracy advocates mostly students, started gathering at the Tiananmen Square to mourn his death. Over 6000 students had gathered at the square as they mourned the death of the man they considered great due to his continued fight for democracy. In other main cities of China, students started demonstrating, as they demanded for democracy in the country. They felt that the Chinese government at that time was incompetent and some of the policies they were introducing were unfair to the citizens. On 22 April 1989, a memorial was held for Hu where over 100 thousand people were gathered. Every person who spoke during the memorial indicated that they were saddened by the death of Hu, as he was one of the people that were in the forefront fighting for liberation of the country. People resolved that even after his death, the fight for democracy would continue and they would not stop until the government listened to the voice of the people. On 30 may 1989, a statue stand for freedom was made in front of the Tiananmen. This statue was a symbol of the continued fight for democracy and freedom in the country and served as an encouragement to the people so that they do not give up in the struggle for democracy. The crowds of students that used to gather at the Tiananmen Square eventually formed a movement that advocated for greater transparency and democracy in the country. As the protests from this movement heated up, the government decided to counter them on the June 4 1989 where they sent the People’s Liberation Army to disperse the growing crowds. In the fracas that ensued between the students and the People’s Liberation Army, around 200 students were shot and injured. This led to increased protests by students from all over the country.
During the student led democracy protests witnessed in China in 1989, Cui Jian was one of the inspiration figures that motivated the students to keep fighting. Cui had produced a song titled “I’ve got nothing”. This song was used as the anthem during the protests. Furthermore, Cui was very close to the students and he would meet with them from time to time as they discussed the need for democracy in the country and the necessary steps in reaching that goal. Cui Jian originates from a family of Korean descent and through his father who was s a trumpet player; Cui had learnt how to play the trumpet by the age of three. In 1981, Cui was admitted to the Beijing Song and dance Troupe even though he had not received any higher music education. In 1985, through his song Yi Wu Suo You (I’ve Got Nothing), he became an instant celebrity after he performed the song in a concert labeled “China’s first rock- and-roll event”. In April 1987, Cui’s employer expelled him on the account of failure to fulfill his work assignments and alleged involvement in pop music. However, these were not the actual reasons why Cui was expelled . The actual reason was the January 1987 rock and roll rendition of the nanniwan, which was a revolutionary ballad from the 1930s. The rendition that was done by Cui and his band aroused the wrath of a “veteran revolutionary”, thereby making Cui a controversial figure in the country. Due to the controversy that followed him, Cui was never booked by any concert hall in China for over a year. His song “I’ve Got Nothing”, was sung by the crowds of students who were gathered at the Tiananmen square as they protested the lack of democracy in the government. The students felt that the government was being unfair especially due to their refusal to hold a dialogue with demonstrators. In 1990, Cui was allowed into a nationwide tour that intended to raise funds for the 11th Asian games, which would be held later that year. This was a bid by the government to reconstruct their image that had been badly damaged by the events of June 1989 when students were shot at the Tiananmen Square protests. Due to his revolutionary music and influence over the people, the authorities decided to cancel Cui’s tour after just four concerts. The authorities realized that the rousing music performed by Cui could lead to explosion among the people as they ganged with anger due to the lack of democracy that had been noted in the government. Even after Cui was booked into another concert by a group of foreigners who had visited Beijing, the authorities ensured that they had cancelled the concert, as they were worried about the influence that Cui had over the masses.
Cui Jian music is considered Rock and Roll and he has been labeled the father of Chinese Rock and Roll. Although his music style is considered rock and roll, Cui admits that his music is a little bit different as he combines rock and roll, hip-hop, and jazz to produce a blend of music that can send out a message to both Chinese people and the foreign communities as well. Cui uses Chinese stories in his music and focuses on current stories. For instance, in his song “I’ve got nothing,” he tells the story of a country that does not entertain democracy. It is a story of a Chinese citizen in the 1980s when the government allowed no freedom to the citizens and passed laws and policies without giving the citizens a chance of deciding whether these policies were helpful to them or not. “But you always laugh at me/ for I have nothing to my name,” is an indicator of the lack of freedom in China at that time. In this case, the authorities are laughing at the citizens who have nothing to their name; they cannot do anything to change the situation. People were not allowed to air their opinions and the government relied on its own judgment when deciding what was good for the country and what was not. Cui Juan uses numerous instruments that are found in the Chinese folk art to enhance his music. The use of such traditional instruments would mean that Cui intends to promote the traditional art of China but that is not the case. His use of Chinese folk art instruments is fuelled by the improved release of emotions that is made possible by these instruments. Cui blends these traditional instruments with elements of rock music such as the electric guitar so that his music sounds more of rock and roll and not the pure rock music that focuses more on the guitar and does not blend many other instruments. The musical style of Cui can be considered as modern revolutionary songs as they are different from the revolutionary songs that were sung during the Cultural Revolution era by notable individuals such as Chairman Mao Zedong. Mao songs were played at a medium volume and he considered loud music as a disruption of the social order. Cui perfumed revolutionary songs but his musical style was different. He performed very loud music and considered this as the best way to arouse people listening to the music. Cui songs were as loud as 150 decibels. This musical style resonated mostly with the young people who had been looking for a musical style that fits their age. Cui started the era of rock music in China and since there were no other notable musicians with his musical style, he became an instant hit. Due to this musical style, Cui was adored by young people especially students at the university and college level. Due to this influence, Cui was loathed by the authorities and after the 1989 events at the Tiananmen Square, the authorities tried as much as possible to ensure that Cui did not perform in major concerts around the country. His musical style was very influential to the young people. His songs inspired them to revolt against the government. The power of his songs can be seen during the events that occurred at the Tiananmen Square on June 4 1989 where the protesting students used Cui’s hit song “I have nothing” as the anthem. They repeatedly sung the song as they encouraged each other to confront the authorities who had sent the People’s Liberation Army to silence them. Even after a number of students were shot, they did not give up. Therefore, the song was inspirational and instilled bravery among the students.
“I have nothing,” was produced as a Mandarin-language rock song and went on to become one of the most influential songs in the history of Chinese music. The song acted as a starting point for the production of rock music in China and played a huge role in shaping the political arena of China at that time. The lyrics and instruments of the song are a blend of traditional Chinese styles and modern rock elements. The song addresses a girl who has been scorning the singer since he has nothing. The song is interpreted as a cry by the disposed youth during the period of its production when most of the youths lacked freedom and felt disillusioned due to the incompetent government that was in power at that time. The cover artwork of the album “I Have Nothing,” features Cui Jian with his eyes covered by a piece “red cloth”. The album name is written in Chinese Mandarin with the color of the font being a mixture of red and white.
Cui Jian album cover for “Nothing To My Name”.
The red elements in the album are inspiration in various ways. The Chinese communist Party has red as its basic color. Therefore, the use of the red piece of cloth that covered the eyes and the red elements in other parts of the album’s artwork were symbolic of the Chinese Communist Party, which led the fight for democracy at that time. The red cloth that covered the eyes of Cui was a sign of the issues that were hidden behind the economic development that the government kept talking about. The government was blindfolding people with the idea of economic development while ignoring the fact that the lack of democracy was hurting people. In his use of the red piece of cloth, Cui was showing his allegiance to the students who were protesting against the government. He wanted to show his stand as an influential individual in the society.
Conclusions
The introduction of rock music to China is one of the most significant events that occurred in 1980s. Apart from enhancing the musical scene of China; rock music especially through Cui Jian played a huge part in the fight for a democratic country. Cui was able to take advantage of his influence by producing songs and artworks that inspired the Chinese youth to fight for a democratic country. His musical style was a combination of western elements and Chinese traditional elements thereby, allowing him to become a relevant musical figure in both the local and international scene. In design, looking at these elements of Cui’s work, one feels inspired by his use of red cloth and other red elements used in his different songs and album cover. The red color is an inspiration of one’s allegiance to the communist party, which is responsible for bringing democracy to the Chinese people. Furthermore, the use of red color can inspire designers to develop their work in such a way that it shows the hidden problems in the society just like his use of red clothing to cover his eyes acts as a way of showing the lack of freedom hidden in the authorities’ agenda of economic development in China. Designers should be inspired by the rebellion and bravery of Cui to develop artworks that influence the society in a positive way regardless of the likely outcome. Designers should not be driven by personal needs but instead, focus on leaving a mark in the society that will be remembered for many years.
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