Chen Xiaoqi is a name that has to be mentioned in the history of Chinese pop music. Even if you are not familiar with the name, you've probably heard "Wave Still", "I do not want to say it", or "Big brother, How are you". Recently, a concert featuring Chen's work was held in Beijing. Audiences had the chance to RECALL the memories of times past.

At the concert, 24 of Chen Xiaoqi's songs were selected, all of them performed by the original singer. Having been working in music for 35 years, Chen has composed over 2000 songs. The last part of the concert, Chen Xiaoqi and the other singers together sang "Wave Still", bringing audiences back to the 1990s.

CHEN XIAOQI MUSICIAN "Our position is to make a concert different from regular ones. I want audiences to listen to it quietly, not to let them hear crazy songs. I want them to hear a kind of pop music that is with Chinese characteristics. It is fashionable and traditional. I want to combine the two elements and show it to everyone."

Chen Xiaoqi was born and grew up in Guangdong. His academic and musical career had a lasting bond with the reform and opening up of Guangdong. He took the college entrance examination in 1978 when he was accepted to study Chinese at Zhongshan University. His literary talent was developed in college, where he wrote many works of poetry. He joined the college orchestra, playing cello and later played the Chinese dulcimer. After graduating, he worked at the Guangzhou branch of the China Record Corporation.

CHEN XIAOQI MUSICIAN "When we began to create pop songs in the 1980s, we set a goal to change some of the social misunderstandings and discrimination of popular songs. Some think popular music is a kind of vulgar art. And we tried to reverse their views with our work. At least we have to change the people's view on pop music from the cultural field."

It was with this sense of responsibility, Chen Xiaoqi wrote his famous work "Dreams of Dunhuang" in 1984. This song shocked the music world and changed the prejudice of pop music at that time.

CHEN XIAOQI MUSICIAN "Because of the emergence of these works, in Guangdong, the whole society changed their views on pop music. Everyone has a tolerant attitude towards pop music. The market has created a good space for its development. That is the most fundamental reason why pop music has been able to last for a long time."

The record industry peaked during the 1990s. It was also the peak of Chen Xiaoqi's music creation. Songs like "Wave Still", "Big brother, How are you" and "I don't want to say it" were all made during that time. Among them, the "Wave Still" has been popular all over the world ever since, becoming a classic Chinese pop song.

CHEN XIAOQI MUSICIAN "My inspiration came from Zhang Ji's poem 'Night Mooring at Maple Bridge'. I wanted to express the confusion of our generation at that time. We could not give up traditional things, but we had to modernize. The two views opposed each other. We were really confused. This song expressed my feelings and pursuits."

China has entered an era of online music in 2000. The erosion of fast food culture in music has become a big problem. Many people feel that pop music is becoming more and more intolerant.

CHEN XIAOQI MUSICIAN "We are entering into the era of fast food culture. We need to slow down a little bit and ask why do we advocate this? Because they walk too fast and yet they cannot walk very fast."

Chen Xiaoqi's songs are still popular today. He says he will continue making music and keep himself free from restrictions - free to think about artistic development.