G.E.M. (Deng Ziqi) | The "Iron-Lung Singer-Songwriter Queen" of Chinese Music Birth Name: Deng Shiying (Gloria Tang) Birthday: August 16, 1991 (Leo) Birthplace: Shanghai; moved to Hong Kong at age 4 Identities: Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Author Tags: Iron-Lung Vocals, Full Singer-Songwriter, Copyright Warrior, New-Generation Pop Diva I. Musical Family: Talent Etched in Her DNA Mother: Vocal Performance graduate from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Grandmother: Veteran classical vocal teacher Grandfather: Orchestra saxophonist Uncle: Violinist Childhood: Possesses absolute pitch; began songwriting at age 5; first performed on stage at age 7; passed ABRSM Grade 8 Piano with full marks at age 13 (professional performance level) Early Fame: Won a competition at 15 with her self-written song "Sleeping Beauty" and was scouted; signed and debuted at 16 II. Debut and Rise (2008–2013): Hong Kong's Youngest Diva 2008 (Age 16): Released debut EP "G.E.M." and officially debuted Swept the Best Newcomer Gold Awards across Hong Kong's three major music award shows, becoming the youngest minor in history to do so 2009 (Age 18): Released debut studio album "18...", with lead single "Where Did U Go" becoming a massive hit 2011 (Age 19): First female singer born in the 1990s to headline the Hong Kong Coliseum, holding 5 consecutive shows and setting the record as the youngest artist to do so 2012 (Age 21): Her album "Xposed" was nominated for Best Female Mandarin Singer at the Golden Melody Awards, and she won the IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Female Artist III. Nationwide Sensation (2014): Legendary Breakthrough on "I Am a Singer" Joined "I Am a Singer Season 2" as an opening-round contestant, initially underestimated by the public Stunned the internet with show-stopping performances of "Bubble", "Tornado", and "Like You", finishing as the grand finals first runner-up Weibo followers surged from millions to tens of millions; commercial booking fees skyrocketed, catapulting her from a rising Hong Kong star to an A-list sensation across Mainland China IV. Peak and Breakthrough (2015–2020): International Acclaim & Creative Pinnacle 2015: Performed "Long Distance" on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala 2016: Released "Light Years Away" (theme song for the film "Passengers"), surpassing 260 million YouTube views and earning a Guinness World Record 2018: First Asian female artist to present and perform at NASA's Breakthrough Prize ceremony 2020: Album "City Zoo" won the Golden Melody Jury Award and garnered 5 major nominations Named Spotify's "Most Streamed Female Mandopop Artist Globally" and won "Best Asian Artist" at the Mnet Asian Music Awards V. The Copyright Battle (2019–2025): A Six-Year Struggle to Reclaim Control Over Her Life 2019: Terminated contract with former agency Hummingbird Music, sparking a 6-year copyright battle during which 103 of her works were banned from performance and her stage name "Deng Ziqi (G.E.M.)" was temporarily restricted 2021: Released "Full Stop", declaring her independence with lyrics like "You said I'm just merchandise, that I couldn't make it without you" 2025: Re-recorded her classic album "I AM GLORIA", fully regaining the rights to her works World tour ranked 4th globally and 1st in Asia in box office earnings, with a single Shanghai stop drawing 235,000 attendees VI. Crossover and Versatility (2022–Present): More Than Just a Singer 2022: Released full singer-songwriter concept album "Revelation", featuring a 14-episode musical drama series of music videos for which she served as lead creator, screenwriter, and producer 2025: Published sci-fi novel "The Road to Revelation", selling 120,000 copies within the first 30 minutes of pre-orders and 200,000 copies on day one; shortlisted for Best Original Book at the Galaxy Awards VII. Musical Style and Signature Works Style: Pop, R&B, electronic, rock; explosive high register, seamless chest-to-head voice transitions; highly proficient in piano self-accompaniment and full songwriting Essential Signature Works: "Bubble" (2012): Breakthrough signature song, benchmark of vocal prowess "Light Years Away" (2016): Phenomenal mega-hit "Full Stop" (2019): Declaration of independence "TIK TOK", "Demons from Heaven", "My Secret": Immensely popular and widely covered VIII. Selected Honors and Records Golden Melody Awards: Jury Award ("City Zoo"), 2 nominations for Best Female Mandarin Singer Guinness World Record: "Light Years Away" music video holds the record for the most-viewed Chinese music video on YouTube Forbes: China Celebrity 100, 30 Under 30 Tours: First female Chinese singer to headline three national stadiums; ranked 4th globally in tour box office IX. Personal Life and Personality Personality: Leo; resilient, independent, competitive, and perfectionistic; commands an overwhelming presence on stage while remaining grounded, playful, and adorable offstage Romance: Formerly dated Yoga Lin (2010–2014); focused on her career after the breakup, keeping her personal life private Philanthropy: Dedicated to charity work, actively supporting children's education and environmental causes, frequently participating in benefit concerts Summary G.E.M. (Deng Ziqi) is a defining icon of the new generation in Chinese popular music. Combining raw talent, relentless dedication, and unmatched songwriting power, she broke through age and geographic limitations, evolving from a young Hong Kong sensation into an international superstar. Her six-year copyright battle defended the dignity of musical artists, and her multidisciplinary works continue to push the boundaries of her craft. Her life creed: "I am not a product; I am an artist."
I am not a product; I am an artist.