Hua Li’s new album Dynasty (out 9/20) tells of Li’s journey as second-generation Chinese-Canadian woman and deals with topics like deceitful love, family power dynamics and the profound imbalance that emotional adversity can deliver. Written over several years, this album collects the most authentic and personal songs from Hua Li to date, from declaration of feminist power and grace, “Mastery” and melancholic and hazy party anthem, “Social Meds” to devastating takedown of power abused, “Tell Her” and twisted love story, “Outwitted.”
A co-production with Alexander Thibualt (a.k.a. Gloze), Dynasty is a combination of Montreal’s tradition of lush, lo-fi future beat with a twist of jazz sensibility and rap braggadocio. Completed with support from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and Montréal arts, interculturels, Dynasty is a fierce affirmation of self-representation for Hua Li.
Hua Li’s hazy R&B and revolutionary rap cuts to the bone and shakes your frail ass to the ground. Following the underground success of her 2015 Za Zhong EP, she will be releasing her debut full-length, Dynasty with Next Door Records in September 2019. A charismatic performer, she has been blessed to share her work on a variety of major stages, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Pride Toronto and Secret Solstice Festival. She is also an active DJ, regularly rocking the decks with residence in her hometown of Montreal, and as touring DJ for alternative rap favorite Cadence Weapon, and Indigenous electro-pop starlet Riit. Subversive and sexy, Hua Li is the only half-Chinese, half-militant, half-rapper of your heart.
Glide is proud to premiere “Outwitted” an encapsulating track of anguished keen, spot on rhymes and seductive grace. Capturing the anxieties of millennial dating, “Outwitted” alternates between loving admiration and fierce self-protection. The song’s overtly jazz- influenced production combines with Hua Li’s uncharacteristically triplet-based flow.
Photo credit: Stacy Lee
