Today we’d like to introduce you to Yizhun Li
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I graduated from Xi’an University in 2016, never expecting that I would become a musician. In less than three years, I went from knowing nothing about music to winning the Creative Category Championship at the China International Bass Competition. In 2019, I participated in the music competition show ‘’Let’s Band‘’ and made it to the top four, officially stepping into the music scene. In 2020, I debuted as an artist through ‘’The Coming One‘’ and began my career,This show experience has helped me gain two million followers，releasing band albums and heavily contributing to songwriting and production. Besides writing for my band, I also created songs for various artists, with one of my singles garnering over 3 million likes. In 2024, I was accepted into New York University’s Master’s program in Songwriting, and I currently reside in New York.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Looking back on my two years of studying bass in Beijing, I still remember the feeling when I was first invited to join a reality music show. At that time, I wasn’t as confident as I am now. The other contestants were all well-known musicians and singers in the industry, with far more fame than I had. The five mentors on the show were also highly respected artists in China, so I was extremely nervous during the initial audition. However, the mentors gave me a chance, allowing me to join the competition. As the competition progressed, through hard work and determination, I was able to prove myself.
At the same time, I also participated in the China International Bass Competition. The bass players at the competition had been playing for over ten or even twenty years, while I had been playing for less than three years. It was a huge professional challenge for me. To prepare, I practiced my competition pieces dozens, if not hundreds, of times every day. In the end, my hard work paid off, and I won the championship in the Creative Category.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
About My Work and Specialization
I am a musician specializing in electric bass performance, composition, arrangement, and music production. Currently, I serve as the band leader, producer, composer, and bassist for Fruit Planet, a band formed on the Chinese reality show The Coming One. We have toured over 30 cities across China. I composed, arranged, and recorded the bass parts for Fruit Planet’s album From Earth To Space and EP Free to Exit. In addition to my work with the band, I have composed songs for various artists, including Ma Jiaqi, whose song “Fri Friday,” composed by me, reached the Top 10 on QQ Music’s Year-End Charts, garnering over 3 million collections and comments.
What I Am Most Proud Of
One of my proudest achievements is winning the Creative Category Championship at the China International Bass Competition. This was a major milestone for me, as I had only been playing bass for less than three years, competing against bassists with over a decade of experience. Through extensive preparation and practice, I was able to prove my abilities. Additionally, I take pride in leading Fruit Planet, helping the band grow, and seeing our music resonate with audiences, as demonstrated by our growing fan base of over 2.18 million followers on Weibo.
What Sets Me Apart
What distinguishes me from others is my unique background, transitioning from visual arts to music. I studied Art Design at university before dedicating myself to music, and within a short time, I achieved remarkable progress in both bass performance and music production. This diverse artistic foundation allows me to blend visual and musical elements, creating expressive and innovative music. Furthermore, I have worked across a range of music genres, including pop, anime soundtracks, and film scores, giving my work a broad and versatile appeal.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very imaginative kid, always curious about different forms of art. I was quiet, but I expressed myself boldly through art. I had a strong interest in visual arts and studied not only Art Design in college but also Ceramics. Through these studies, I realized that the colors in visual art and music composition are closely connected—they both convey emotions and ideas.
Even though I didn’t have a clear idea of becoming a musician back then, I was always fascinated by sound and rhythm. I’ve always liked expressing myself in different ways, and music eventually became my favorite medium. I’m a focused and persistent person, and those traits really helped me overcome challenges while learning bass and entering the music industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.weibo.cn/u/2603750422?t=0&luicode=10000011&lfid=231583
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yizhun.li/
Image Credits
Image Source: Global Times
Image Source: Internet
