Song Dongye
Song Dongye 宋冬野 | |||||||||
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Song Dongye performing | |||||||||
| Background information | |||||||||
| Born | November 10, 1987 Haidian District, Beijing, China | ||||||||
| Genres | Folk, ballad | ||||||||
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter | ||||||||
| Years active | 2009–present | ||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 宋冬野 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 宋冬野 | ||||||||
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Song Dongye (Chinese: 宋冬野; pinyin: Sòng Dōngyě; born 10 November 1987) is a Chinese folk and ballad singer-songwriter.[1][2] He was born in Haidian District, Beijing.
In 2009, Song began releasing music independently on Douban. In 2010, he released the solo album Xue Ni Hong Zhua (雪泥鸿爪), which included songs such as "Every Year" (年年), "Buddha on Line 1" (佛祖在一号线), and "Hey, Pants" (嘿，裤衩儿). In 2011, he co-founded the music label Mayouye Folk Organization (麻油叶民间组织) with Yao Shisan (尧十三) and Ma Di (马𬱖) and began performing solo shows.
In 2012, Song released the single "Miss Dong" (董小姐), for which he won the Best Folk Newcomer Award at the 13th Music Billboard Annual Ceremony in April 2013. In June 2013, contestant Zuo Li performed a cover of "Miss Dong" on the television talent show Super Boy, which brought widespread national attention to the song.
In December 2013, his album Anhe Bridge North (安和桥北) won the Lu Xun Cultural Award for Music of the Year.
In 2015, Song performed at the Modern Sky Festival in Central Park as part of an effort to introduce Chinese independent music to international audiences. His set featured introspective, narrative-driven folk songs. The New York Times described his music as “gently contemplative” and noted his popularity among young Chinese listeners for lyrics addressing everyday life and emotional honesty.[3]
Early life and education
Song Dongye was born in Anheqiao Village (now Xianghongqi Anheqiao community),[4] Haidian District, Beijing, China, on November 10, 1987. His parents were both civil servants, and he was raised in a typical middle-class household. As a teenager, Song developed an interest in literature and underground music. He was particularly influenced by Chinese folk artists such as Zhao Lei and Xu Wei, as well as Western singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan and Damien Rice.
He attended the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), majoring in fashion design. However, during his college years, Song became more immersed in music, often performing at local bars and student events. He later dropped out of university to pursue music full-time.[5]
Personal life
Song Dongye married Chinese actress Zhao Xiaolu in August 2016.
Controversies
On 13 October 2016, he was detained in Beijing for possession of approximately 80 g of marijuana and received 15 days' administrative detention.[6] In 2021, his planned comeback concert in Chengdu was canceled due to backlash over his past drug conviction.[7] He later expressed his view that drug users are victims of addiction, igniting debate and resulting in his posts being moderated.[8]
Discography
- Xue Ni Hong Zhua (雪泥鸿爪) (2010)
- Anhe Bridge North (安河桥北) (2013)
- Guo Yuan Chao (郭源潮) (2017)
Singles
- "Miss Dong" (董小姐) (2012)
- "Zhi Dao" (知道) (2018)
Awards and nominations
- Best Folk Newcomer, 13th Music Billboard Awards (2013) — "Miss Dong"[9]
- Lu Xun Cultural Award – Music of the Year (2013) — Anhe Bridge North[10]
- Best Lyrics, 29th Golden Melody Awards (2018) — Guo Yuan Chao[11]
References
- ^ BWW News Desk. "Simple and True: Song Dongye, China's Viral Bard, Brings His Plain-Spoken Songs to the US". Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ "Chinese artist Song Dongye performs hit 'Miss Dong' at Buskirk-Chumley – Indiana Daily Student". idsnews.com. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ Ratliff, Ben (5 October 2015). "Review: Modern Sky Festival Unites Budding Stars (Song Dongye) and Celebrities (Yoko Ono)". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "宋冬野：矫情的词句里是对现实的不满".
安和桥，也叫安河桥，他在那儿长大。去年出《安和桥北》的时候，要拍专辑封面，他想上钉子户的房子顶楼拍照，住那儿的老太太一见就亲切地拉拽着他。他在村子里走着，就像回到曾经在这儿生活的日子。安和桥原本是个村儿，走路绕一圈只需十来分钟。不开心的时候，宋冬野第一个想到的就是安河桥。
- ^ Chen, Xiaoyu (19 June 2015). "The Making of a Chinese Folk Star". Sixth Tone.
- ^ Zhang, Long (13 October 2021). "Drug‑using singer's attempt to make a comeback rejected". SHINE.
- ^ "Song Dongye's Chengdu concert canceled amid public backlash". SHINE. 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Drug offenders deserve comeback? Debate sparked by Song Dongye". SHINE. 13 October 2021.
- ^ "13th Music Billboard Awards winners". MusicBillboardChina. 2013.
- ^ "Lu Xun Cultural Award music winners". Lu Xun Foundation. 2013.
- ^ "29th Golden Melody Award winners". Golden Melody Awards. 2018.