Why bother writing songs? Fast forward to the "Don't Laugh Challenge"

Chapter 45 Sudden Wealth, Suddenly Stiff Back
As one of the three largest music awards in China, the Top Ten Chinese Golden Songs Awards has always been a prestigious award in the Chinese music scene.

Since its inception in 1978, nearly 50 years have passed in 2026. Countless classic works in the Chinese music scene have been born here, and many master musicians have emerged from here.

It's fair to say that, at one time, winning a place in the Top Ten Chinese Songs Awards was the ultimate dream for every singer and musician. And that remains true even now.

Logically speaking, the organizing committee, as the host, should be happy that such an award is about to be held.

However, if someone were to listen in at this moment, they would inevitably wonder why these bigwigs of the organizing committee all looked off. It could even be said that the atmosphere was somewhat awkward and oppressive.

The reason is actually quite simple. There is one thing that the bigwigs of the organizing committee present are very clear about, as are those fans who have even a slight understanding of the Chinese music scene and the current awards.

That is, the Top Ten Golden Melody Awards have also been declining in recent years.

The gold content is declining.

Although they can still maintain their position among the three major Chinese music awards, the organizing committee leaders are well aware that if they do not seek change within the limited time, they will truly be eliminated from the top of the pyramid and replaced by others.

So the pressure is immense.

When it comes to seeking change, how easy is it really?

This problem is not only one they face, but also one that the other two major lottery prizes face. Almost every year in recent years, the results of the three major lottery prizes have been criticized.

What?! The Chinese music scene is finished? This kind of song can win awards? What kind of garbage is this? Tailors can win awards? Even ripped songs can win awards? Why don't those great musicians that nobody listens to win any awards?

This is the current situation, very realistic, but equally frustrating. Don't they know that the songs that win awards are getting worse year by year, and their value is rapidly declining?

They know it.

If given a choice, who would choose this path? Don't they want the Chinese music scene to produce masterpieces and be a battle of the titans every year?

No! They want it more than anyone else! Because the more they want it this way, the more attention their awards will actually receive!

The problem is that the current Chinese music scene is full of this kind of thing! Tailors, habitual plagiarists, and pop idols are rampant, while high-quality musicians are squeezed out of their space to survive. The high-quality market can only hold onto the top tier and keep the whole scene afloat.

How many people are at the very top? How long does it take them to release a song? How many can they release in a year? True masterpieces are slowly crafted; they are the result of spontaneous bursts of inspiration and artistry. Moreover, many at the top are getting old. The Chinese music scene has to admit that it is facing a very serious problem: a lack of new talent. Because listeners of high-quality music are discerning!
If new, high-quality musicians fail to obtain data and market recognition, they will be unable to make a living and will lose the motivation to continue making high-quality music, instead turning to creating things that can fill their stomachs and appeal to the lower-tier market.

If we're talking about why they don't just award the prizes to talented musicians who aren't popular, then we have to mention another concept: market acceptance and popularity are important indicators of a hit song.

They have tried to do this before. In earlier years, they tried to support some young musicians, selecting works with high artistic merit and few outstanding pieces, and awarding them prizes.

The result was public criticism and dissatisfaction.

Comments included: "Are you kidding me? This song won an award?", "Who is this?", and "Never heard of him."

Etc., etc.

So this is a vicious cycle that can't be easily broken.

Including this year, they have also been seeking change, and after much deliberation, they finally made a change that can be described as a major decision.

"So, regarding the proposal to separate rap music from the pop music awards this year and establish a new special category, who supports it and who opposes it?"

The person sitting at the head of the table was none other than this year's rotating chief, who was now slowly speaking.

This was their idea after careful consideration.

Rap didn't have its own separate genre back then; instead, it was a niche genre attached to pop music, reflecting its underground and extremely niche status at the time.

However, rap has now become mainstream in Chinese music. Furthermore, after the upheaval caused by the "Pingxi Incident" a few years ago, the authorities, after careful consideration, decided to lift the suppression of rap and even intentionally support it, making a 180-degree turn in attitude. This has led to the booming development and explosive growth of rap in recent years, capturing a huge amount of attention. Given the current scale of rap music, it would be inappropriate to still classify it under the pop genre.

Their idea was that there are many high-quality rap songs available nowadays, and the output is high. If more rap genres could be added, could it salvage the precarious reputation and quality of the genre?

The proposal has received responses and a vote has begun.

"I agree."

"No comment."

"agree."

"be opposed to."

"agree."

"agree."

"No comment."

"."

The final result was 27 to 8, with the team that agreed winning.

The rotating chief judge made the decision: "Then I announce that starting in 2026, our awards will begin to include a rap category!"

At the same time, he was also worried, hoping that this was the right change.

In Shanghai, as summer deepens, the scene is quite different.

After finalizing the album project, he immediately began the production process.

We've returned to that busy time.

During this period, some things also happened. After a month, the first quarter data feedback period for "Fairy Tale" had arrived, and his betting agreement with July Records had also reached its deadline.

Ultimately, no new singles broke the record. Even "Love Through Lifetimes," which came closest in terms of data, only reached 3 million views. In the end, only four songs successfully broke the record.

These are four poems: "Preference", "Unspeakable Longing", "Midnight Heading Towards Morning" and "Rings of Time".

This also indirectly confirms that 500 million is indeed a very difficult standard to reach.

But that's enough. The four copyrights he holds now are worth more than all the other songs combined, so it doesn't matter whether he fights for them or not.

After all, he now has a new collaboration with July Records. If he really loses everything and doesn't leave them any face or anything, then he's truly finished.

These are not the most important things. The most important thing is the raw revenue feedback that this song has brought.

The sheer volume of information disseminated, coupled with copyright licensing fees.

He amassed a staggering 790 million!
After tax!

Keep in mind, this is only the first phase! And it's only been one month! There will be more to come!

And it gets even more terrifying afterward!
It was an absolute overnight fortune! The kind of fortune that makes you feel like you can finally stand up straight!

(I finished work a little late today, so the update is a little late too. There's one more picture that I'll probably finish around 10 or 11 pm.)
(End of this chapter)