Hokkien Pop Essentials

A closer look at Taiwanese pop reveals a social evolution and a shift in the times. Earlier pop reflects more tumultuous times through melancholy overtones and pronounced Hokkien lyrics. But with the lifting of martial law came a gradual opening up—one that entailed a full embrace of Western music, which paved the way for a huge range of possibilities. Sorrow gave way to the fuller spectrum of emotions, with artists like Lim Giong, New Formosa Band and Wu Bai & China Blue riding the zeitgeist to redefine Taiwanese music. Today, a new generation of creatives continues to charge ahead into realms of indie rock and hip-hop. This playlist presents the artists who have captured the spirit of Taiwan in song—as well as those who are shaping its future.