Cui Jian

Chinese rock musician of Korean descent · China · Musicians · Born 1961 · age 65

Cui Jian is read about 288 times a day, in 21 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 17 September 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2016“My generation was born in the early 60s or a few years earlier. My parents’ generation carried guns and gained control of the country.”In their wordsInterview with VICE (2016)Read the whole statement

“Fear is part of the culture of this country and has been for the past 50 years. But in America everyone is fearful too, just for different reasons.”In their wordsInterview with VICE (2016)Read the whole statement

2015“To be the person stand behind the camera observing other people is really interesting, it gives me a great sense of freedom.”In their wordsDecember 2015"The Long March of Cui Jian" in SBS (December 2015)Read the whole statement

“We were constantly testing to see how far we could go, testing the aesthetic limits of society, and those of the old cadres too.”In their wordsDecember 2015"The Long March of Cui Jian" in SBS (December 2015)Read the whole statement

2012“When I'm holding a guitar, I got a little more confident. You know, actually, before that, I would say I was a shy guy. You know, I was trying to looking for some better way.”In their wordsInterview with CNN (2012)Read the whole statement

“I think the biggest enemy in this country is the corruption. I think everybody will - now they learn it.”In their wordsInterview with CNN (2012)Read the whole statement

1961Born2 August 1961

Also in Deutsch

Photos 12

Former ADO members Eddie (left) and Liu Yuan (right) respectively served long-term as the lead guitarist and wind instrumentalist in Cui's backing band; the latter died in 2024.

Cui performing "Get Over That Day" in 2022

Cui (left) at the 2009 Busan International Film Festival

Cui on the set of the micro-film Outside Girl

Cui performing in 2022, Changsha

In their own words 10

Cui Jian

10 statements, newest first

If you’re singing and writing lyrics in Chinese, then you’re making Chinese music.
2016, Interview with VICE (2016), Own words
My generation was born in the early 60s or a few years earlier. My parents’ generation carried guns and gained control of the country.
2016, Interview with VICE (2016), Own words
Talking about capitalism and communism isn’t really important or relevant anymore. Money isn’t proof that capitalism is right - money is money.
2016, Interview with VICE (2016), Own words

Wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0

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Awards

Prince Claus Award

QQ Music Awards

About this person

Cui Jian is a Chinese singer-songwriter and musician. Known for his countercultural impact, he has launched a ground-breaking musical trend of Chinese rock and pop, dubbed the "Godfather of Chinese Rock". With poetic, socially conscious lyrics, his experimental approach features multiple traditional instruments, eclectic musical elements and cultural references from different eras. Cui is widely deemed the most influential rock musician in China as well as one of the greatest and most prominent figures in Chinese music.

Country

China

In common with Cui

Joan ChenAlso in The Sun Also Rises (2007)

Christopher DoyleAlso in Beijing Bastards (1993)

Huang XuanAlso in Blue Sky Bones (2013)

Lee Jeong-jinAlso in Dooman River (2010)Gao XiaosongAlso in 故事无双 (2006)

Zhang YuanAlso in Beijing Bastards (1993)

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