Jason Zhang drops new single, eyes wider global audience

Chinese pop singer Jason Zhang released his new single "Game Changer" worldwide on Sept. 17, the first music to come out of his partnership with Universal Music Greater China and his own label, Planet Culture.

The cover art for "Game Changer." [Image courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

Zhang wrote, composed and produced the track, working with an international team that included Bobby Colomby, a founding member of the jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears, and musician Jesus Molina. The song pairs a rock-driven sound with Zhang's vocals.

The single is the theme song for the upgraded edition of his "Jason Zhang Future • Live — Leave For 1982 World Tour." He performed it for the first time on Sept. 11 in Hangzhou at the tour's opening show, and it was released on major digital music platforms in China the following day.

"I hope that I, and all of you, can be game changers in our own lives," Zhang told fans at the Hangzhou concert, sharing the song's inspiration.

Universal Music Greater China announced the partnership with Zhang and Planet Culture in June, covering recorded music, artist management, live performance and international development. The company has since worked with Zhang's team to open creative exchanges through UMG's global network. The tie-up now moves into new music, pairing Zhang's standing among Chinese audience with UMG's international resources to take Mandopop to a wider audience abroad.

As part of that effort, Zhang traveled to the United States for writing sessions with artists, producers and music executives, meeting Colomby and Molina during the trip. Both went on to contribute to "Game Changer."

From left: Jesus Molina, Jason Zhang and Bobby Colomby. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

Zhang has performed for more than two decades and is widely regarded as one of Mandopop's defining voices. Since rising to prominence in the mid-2000s, he has released more than 17 albums and EPs and has more than 100 million followers across Chinese social media platforms.

Earlier this year, he played 16 sold-out concerts in 24 days at Beijing National Stadium, a record for the most shows staged in a single-stop stadium run.

The latest leg of the world tour also expands Zhang's role beyond performing. He serves as chief director of the tour for the first time, overseeing stage production, visuals and repertoire. The tour's previous production won a Gold Award in the interior exhibition category at the 2026 French Design Award.