Cantopop is back.
The genre, once eulogised as a nostalgic relic of the past, has reinvented itself to become a musical style that appeals to Gen Z and older audiences alike.
Leading the charge are a wave of younger artists that are simultaneously reshaping the genre and sticking to its distinctive local flavour. These stars are seen by some as more than singers — they’re held up as role models for fans and proud symbols of the region’s musical culture.
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So, here are three Cantopop singers currently making waves.
Anson Lo
It’s hard to talk about the revival of Cantopop without mentioning Mirror. The award-winning boy group has been credited for leading the genre’s resurgence, with columnist Luisa Tam comparing them to 90s Cantopop icons Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui.
Within the band, Anson Lo is arguably the most popular. The main dancer and English rapper of the group was a dance instructor before fame, having dropped out of the City University of Hong Kong to pursue his dreams. Lo’s ardent fans cite his caring personality and his starring role in the TV show Ossan’s Love as reasons for their support.
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Lo is also accomplished as a solo artist — his concerts in 2023 were performed to sold-out stadiums. Reflecting on his successes, Lo maintains an attitude of humility. “I never imagined [my career] would become what it is now,” he told Prestige.
MC Cheung
Macao’s audiences are familiar with MC Cheung’s music — the “Caution Wet Floor” hitmaker visited Grand Lisboa Palace Resort earlier this month to perform his chart-topping songs.
Cheung rose to fame as the runner-up in ViuTV’s singing competition show King Maker II, but diehard fans know him as a former member of the street busking group Nothing Special. Having moved far from his humble roots, Cheung is now signed to Warner Music Hong Kong and known for creating R&B tracks with heartfelt lyrics.
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Cheung’s breakout hit, “Pillow Talk,” reminisces on the conclusion of a romance. Termed “Breakup Song of the Year” by HK01’s Chen Zhiying, the lyrics use the extended metaphor of a pillow to represent shared memories. According to songwriter Terry Chui, Cheung’s vocals were a significant contributor to the song’s resonance: “MC completed it to a level beyond my imagination,” he said.
The song reached the top of Hong Kong’s charts, where it stayed for 12 weeks in a row. The accompanying music video currently sits at over 35 million views.
Marf Yau
Another King Maker alumnus, Marf Yau is a member of the Hong Kong girl group Collar. The star, who recently released her popular song “Love Me Down,” worked as a veterinary nurse before her dance teacher, Rock Fang, encouraged her to join the show.
During her time in King Maker, Yau impressed judges with her dancing skills and onstage charisma, winning first place. “It took a lot of courage to put myself out there in front of the world, and that’s something I’m very proud of myself for doing,” she told Prestige.
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Yau’s talents extend beyond music — she starred in the coming-of-age movie Blossoms Under Somewhere, as well as TV shows Left on Read and Where Is My 15 Minutes. Her portrayal in Blossoms Under Somewhere was lauded by Edmund Lee of the South China Morning Post: “Yau is a natural in the opaque role of a socially awkward introvert,” Lee wrote.
As a solo artist, Yau has 14 songs in her discography. She has performed at the music festival Clockenflap and as a supporting act for Coldplay.
Correction, 22 July 2025: The original version of this article misstated a location of one of Anson Lo’s 2023 sellout concerts. This has been amended.
