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I've just had a wonderful time doing Chinese music, and it's been so rewarding for me. I feel like there's so much potential in mandarin music, and there's so much, you know, ground left to be broken.

For most Americans, my Chinese music feels like a novelty, and it's not what it is for me.

I learned that instead of relying on and imitating American music, there is a better chance for an Asian artist to succeed if he or she follows his or her own culture.

There is a definite Chinese pop sound developing, but I was shocked at how influenced it is by American music.

I used to think that, given enough goodwill, anybody would be able to 'get' any music, no matter how distant the culture from which it came. And then I heard Chinese opera.

I think that it'd be nice for other Asians to support other Asian artists and help each other instead of pull each other down.

I'm not trying to unite Asian people with my music.

I think, at least for me, I'm so impressed by Shanghai and how all of China continues to evolve. On a style level, you're seeing this increased sophistication and brand awareness.

World events can shape culture. Music is either a soundtrack for or a narration of changing times. And who knows how that's going to go?

Chinese artists have been subversive over thousands of years, taking what they think of the government and embedding it in their art. There might be censorship of not going as far as they might.