Singer-songwriter Emei discusses her cultural identity and music career

Singer-songwriter Emei, born Emily Li, discussed her upbringing and the cultural influences that shape her artistry. Born in New Jersey to parents who immigrated from China to Connecticut in the late 1980s, Emei maintains strong ties to her heritage, frequently visiting Hangzhou.

Emei noted that while her recorded music is currently in English, she incorporates Chinese songs into her live tours and expresses a desire to eventually release music in Chinese. She also reflected on her experience competing on ‘Chinese Idol’ at age 15, noting that while the milestone was significant, it was a period where she had less control over her artistic direction compared to her current career.