Yung Kai
Yung Kai | |
|---|---|
Yung Kai at Pelupo Music Festival in 2025 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Max Zhang |
| Born | Vancouver, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Website | www |
Max Zhang, also known as Yung Kai (stylized in lowercase), is a Chinese-Canadian musician. He is known for his 2024 single "Blue", which went viral on TikTok and Instagram, peaking at 19 on the Billboard Global 200. It also reached the top 5 in the Philippines Hot 100 and Indonesia Songs editions of the chart, peaking at number one on the latter.[1]
Early life
Max Zhang was born in Vancouver, Canada.[2] He grew up in Shanghai, China and moved back to Vancouver in his later years. He learned how to play the drums, piano, and guitar as a child. He also produced music on the side, creating beats for fun starting in 2018.[3]
Career
Based in Vancouver, Yung Kai founded his media presence by uploading covers of himself to TikTok, fostering collaborations with artists such as Bbno$.[4][5] He received mainstream success in 2024 when his single "Blue" went viral on TikTok and many other social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.[6] He later became managed by the talent agency Wasserman.[7]
In 2025, Yung Kai performed at Wanderland's tenth anniversary music festival.[8]
Influences and artistry
Yung Kai is influenced by musicians Laufey, Keshi, Higher Brothers and Wave to Earth, who he called his biggest inspiration. He was also inspired by rappers such as Juice Wrld, XXXTentacion, and Young Thug, despite his music being of a drastically different style.[3] Yung Kai's music is created in his bedroom studio.[9]
Discography
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [10] |
HK [11] |
IDN [12] |
KOR [13] |
MYS [14] |
PHL [15] |
SGP [16] |
THA [17] |
WW [18] | ||||
| "Listen to This When You're Down <3" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Wildflower" | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Blue" | 92 | 12 | 1 | 134 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 39 | |||
| "Do You Think You Could Love Me?" | 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | ||||||||||||
References
- ^ Saulog, Gabriel (February 5, 2025). "Yung Kai's "Blue" Rises To No. 4 On The Philippines Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ Abraham, Hannah (April 2, 2025). "Singer-songwriter yung kai is more than ready for musical success". JoySauce. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- ^ a b "Rappler Talk Entertainment: yung kai on musical beginnings, success of 'Blue'". YouTube. March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ Decter, Rosie Long (January 28, 2025). "Shubh Hits The Top 25 On The Billboard Canadian Albums Chart With 'Sicario'". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ Kenna, Abby (January 14, 2025). "Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ Requintina, Robert (January 26, 2025). "Yung Kai reveals inspiration behind hit song 'Blue'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ "Yung Kai's Favorite Hue". Hits. January 7, 2025. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
- ^ Saenz, Rome (April 3, 2025). "Yung Kai On His Viral Success With "blue": "It's like a dream."". billboardphilippines.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ "yung kai (Flood Division/BMG)". Hits. January 26, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of February 8, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "Hong Kong Songs: Week of February 22, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "ASIRI Top 50 Mixed Chart minggu ke – 51 2024" [ASIRI TOP 50 Mixed Chart Week of 51, 2024.]. ASIRI. November 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Digital Chart – Week 14 of 2025". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Thailand Chart Top 20 from 04/18/2025 to 04/24/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 29, 2025. Select 2025 Week 17
- ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 01/17/2025 to 01/23/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 22, 2025. Select 2025 Week 4
- ^ "RIAS Top Streaming Chart, Week 2 (3-9 Jan 2025)". Recording Industry Association Singapore. February 8, 2025. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Thailand Chart Top 20 from 01/10/2025 to 01/16/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 8, 2025. Select 2025 Week 3
- ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of February 1, 2025". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Yung Kai". Music Canada. Retrieved May 24, 2025.