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Danish-Chinese Singer Helena Gao on Navigating Music Scenes in London and Shanghai
Emerging artist Helena Gao, a Danish-Chinese singer with classical jazz training, has broken through by working behind the scenes, including co-writing and co-producing nine tracks on Zara Larsson's Grammy-nominated album 'Midnight Sun.'
Helena Gao has charted an unconventional path in music, moving between the bustling scenes of London and Shanghai. Operating outside the mainstream Mandopop sphere, she has built a career that blends her Danish-Chinese heritage with a sharpened sensitivity to both Eastern and Western audiences.
This year, Gao co-wrote and co-produced nine tracks on Zara Larsson's 'Midnight Sun,' an album that earned Larsson her first Grammy nomination. She also appeared on the 'Girls Trip' remix album alongside artists such as Tyla, Shakira, and PinkPantheress.
In a recent interview, Gao reflected on her journey and the importance of maintaining creative freedom. She emphasized that most of an artist's work happens behind the curtain, and that separating collaborative projects from solo work allows her to avoid self-limiting thoughts about outside perception.
Gao also noted that working alone has strengthened her sense of concept from the beginning, a lesson drawn from years of writing for others. Her story highlights the growing influence of artists who straddle multiple music industries and cultural spaces.