Canto-pop Revival Energizes Hong Kong Music Scene with New Artists and Economic Impact
The Canto-pop scene in Hong Kong is experiencing a resurgence, with more than 1,000 new songs expected in 2025. Major concerts held in 2023 and 2024 have injected approximately HK$2.2 billion (€242.8 million) into the local economy. Kiri T, a singer-songwriter affiliated with Warner Music, emphasizes a cultural renaissance in her album 'A Kiridiculous Distance.' Her track 'You Gotta Screw Up At Least Once' ranks among the top five most-played songs of 2025. After peaking at HK$1.6 billion in sales in 1998, the genre's revenue plummeted to HK$200 million by 2017. The revival is marked by new venues, festivals, and remixed classics, influenced by the 2019 protests and pandemic, with artists like Moon Tang and Kay Tse leading the charge.
Key facts
- Over 1,000 new Canto-pop tracks were released in 2025.
- Concerts in 2023-24 contributed HK$2.2 billion to Hong Kong's economy.
- Kiri T's song 'You Gotta Screw Up At Least Once' was a top-five most-played track in 2025.
- Canto-pop record sales peaked at HK$1.6 billion in 1998.
- Annual sales fell to HK$200 million by 2017.
- Fan queues outside radio stations can last up to a week.
- Generative AI platforms like Suno are viewed as a threat to artists.
- Cantonese's nine tones may hinder AI-generated music quality.
Entities
Artists
- Kiri T
- Kiri Tse Hiu-ying
- Leslie Cheung
- Anita Mui
- Beyond
- Wong Chi-Chung
- Jessica Ho
- Moon Tang
- Jace Chan
- Marf
- Manson Cheung
- Kay Tse
- On Chan
- Pandora
Institutions
- Warner Music
- Commercial Radio 2
- 903 Music
- Hong Kong Design Institute
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Monocle
- The Hong Kong Correspondent
Locations
- Hong Kong
- China
- Kowloon
Sources
- Monocle —