We had the good fortune of connecting with Jingzhi Hu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jingzhi, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Over time, my approach to work-life balance has evolved significantly. Initially, I was heavily focused on my career, often sacrificing personal time and well-being. This was because I started everything during Covid era, in which I had all the time in this world. I remember having no daily routine but sitting in front of my desk watching tutorials and making beats for a whole day. Sometimes I even woke up in the middle of the night and record my random inspirations. I thought it was called passion and dedication until my therapist told me that was just me being bipolar. However, I realized that sustaining creativity and productivity requires a healthier balance. Especially after going on some shows and having to fly around constantly. I was drained after every trip and could never return immediately to work, not to mention the mind state of writing something. So I started working out. Now, I prioritize setting boundaries and ensuring I have time for rest, family, and personal growth.

I think about balance as a dynamic process, constantly adjusting to meet my current needs and goals. It’s okay to feel out of balance, as long as I have the toolbox with the corresponding way to treat my condition. This balance not only enhances my creativity but also sustains my long-term health and happiness.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
If I were to tell my story since day 1, it would go long and maybe boring, with cliches of setbacks and rebirths. Among all those things, what I like to mention the most is my core value when creating art: authentic.

Like many indie musicians, especially those who started in the hip hop genre, I began making music purely out of passion. Everything was self-taught. What really set my career off was participating in the Chinese reality show Girls Like Us in 2021, which introduced me to the industry’s harsh realities and helped me find my authentic voice. As a newcomer in the scene, it was like Crash Course to Music Industry 101. Despite the challenges, including mental health struggles and the pressure to conform, these experiences taught me the importance of authenticity.

This belief of mine kept being strengthened as I participate in more events after that. Whether it was an international film festival, a live music show or a local open mic, I always get feedbacks and comments about the authenticity in my works and that I should cherish it. So what I seek most art is to tell my own story or express my genuine feelings through different storytelling methods. By trying more and more, I gradually learned how to create art not just for the purpose of entertaining myself but to communicate with the audience.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that it’s built on a foundation of passion, resilience, and a deep desire to make a positive impact through art and music. My work is not just about creating beautiful pieces; it’s about telling stories, evoking emotions, and inspiring others to see the world through a different lens. I hope to continue growing as an artist and to keep sharing my journey with the world. My biggest wish is to bring happiness and joy with my songs.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
New York City has been and will always be my favorite city on Earth.

Eat:

– Hunan Slurp: a Chinese restaurant in East Village. To be honest, even thought I’ve already returned to Shanghai for the summer, I missed their frog dish from time to time. I think they were recommended by Michelin at some point.

Coffee: NYC probably have more coffee shops than any places in this world. As someone who doesn’t know how anything about beans or roast or any thing, what I look for in a coffee shop are: 1. signature/creative drinks 2. their interior theme. Here are some places that I pay regular visit to:

– The B Cup: nice local place in the neighborhood near Ave B. LOVE THEIR NUTELLA MILK. (I know it’s just milk with a scoop of Nutella). Their lox bagel is the best cuz the bread is toasted.

– The Lost Draft: Film themed coffee shop near Chinatown/SOHO. My first visit there was with Yiwen, my producer (seems like a perfect place for them filmmakers). The shop has director’s chairs and apple boxes as seats. Free popcorn in the afternoon. The best Osmanthus Latte (Iced). I took my mom there when she visited the city!

Drink: Dante, Double Chicken Please, Attaboy…Those are the places on top of every charts that everybody knows. My hidden gem is…
– Bar Goto: Japanese whiskey bar with seasonal drink menu. I love their miso chicken wings and sesame seasoned celery sticks.

Sight-seeing: As a big road bike lover, I would say NYC is a perfect city for biking. (This was written before I visited Europe recently). Only on bikes can you discover some unexpected beauty that’s easily ignored.
– The empire state trail: this is a bike trail alongside Hudson river that starts from Battery Park and goes all the way to the north. And by north I mean Canada. But I’ve never tried that hahah. Normally I would stop at Riverside Park and take a rest.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am especially grateful to my producer, Yiwen, who has made everything possible for me. From my very first music video to the following film festivals and live music shows, she dedicated herself to ensuring everything was on track. Her commitment and expertise have been invaluable. I’m the type of person who always shoot for the stars, have crazy ideas and I’ve got to admit, sometimes they are too crazy. She’s the one making all of these come true by breaking down my mind bubbles into tasks and help me finish them.

This year we started a studio together, trying to infuse more projects with our own creative value. It’s called beta studio. I firmly believe that it’ll go far and beyond because me and Yiwen, we make miracles together.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jinzyjinz/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jinzymusic?si=2ZPwnWpI-atmTI-0

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7aCnUh8mmQKLeFl3bTtfFl?si=LT7IXHcDRnulsgPxaX4dyg
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jinzy/1535001665
Douyin: https://v.douyin.com/idvjy4my/

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