Celebrated hip-hop act Q052 is gearing up for a career-defining series of shows in the United Kingdom, starting on 12 May at the Strongroom Bar in London. Q052 will be performing from 12 to 16 May in London and Brighton, including a performance at the renowned four-day music festival The Great Escape. Known for his gripping live performances, he shared the stage with iconic acts like Cypress Hill. He has also graced the stages of major festivals such as FEQ, La Noce, OFF Québec, Innu Nikamu, Festival Kwe!, FME, Festival Bleu Bleu, and Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée.
His music has previously gained radio support from the likes of BBC Radio 6’s Don Letts’ Culture Clash Radio, NPR Music and landed numerous features on Radio Canada. Q052 has been supported by influential publications such as CLASH Magazine, Journal de Montréal, The Spill Mag, PLAYY. Magazine and Le Canal Auditif. Further, he was crowned the winner of Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the 2023 International Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards. He has earned numerous prestigious nominations, including Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 2021 ADISQ Gala, and nods at the 2022 Teweikan Gala in both the Expressive Music Artist/Group and Blues/Rock Artist/Group categories. His album also earned a 2022 GAMIQ nomination in the Hip-Hop Album category.
Quentin Condo came up with his stage name by combining the initial of his first name with 052 – the number assigned to his Indigenous First Nations community.Born and raised in Gesgapegiag, Gaspésie, and now based in Sherbrooke, Canada, Q052 is a fierce advocate for Indigenous peoples, particularly the struggles faced by youth and the protection of Indigenous women and girls. His father, also a musician, inspired him to pick up a guitar at age 3. With many family members involved in music, Q052 grew up surrounded by Irish, Mi’gmaq, and country songs, along with Catholic hymns from his time in US Catholic schools. Hip-hop is his true passion, however. Spending part of his life in the US and part on the reserve, he introduced hip-hop culture to his community, inspiring friends to breakdance and explore the genre.
Drawing from a kaleidoscope of influences – including Ty Segall, Immortal Technique, Cypress Hill, Black Sabbath, and Rage Against the Machine, amongst others – Q052 crafts a sound that is raw, searing and deeply political. On stage, Q052 channels this explosive energy into visceral performances that confront Indigenous identity, social justice, and personal struggle with unflinching honesty. His fusion of hip-hop, grunge, alternative rock and spoken word, wrapped in sharp, uncompromising lyricism, is sure to resonate with fans of other inspirations of his: Public Enemy, Run DMC,King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard.
Q052 shared: “I’m super stoked to go over to the UK. The scene over there is raw and unapologetic, the punk scene is alive, it’s raw, people understand the concept of having to speak loud and to be real to ask for change. I hope it opens doors to go play with my whole band in the future!”
Q052 Upcoming Live Dates:
May 12th 2026 – Strongroom Bar – Canada House – London, UK – Tickets: info here May 14th 2026 – The Brunswick – Brighton, UK – Tickets: info here May 16th 2026 – The Great Escape – Brighton, UK – Tickets: info here
The Faster AI Evolves, the More Valuable Human-Created Music Becomes
Acclaimed record label Cheerful Music, recently participated in a key panel discussion at renowned festival and conference SXSW, in Austin, Texas. The label, which was founded by industry thought leader and professional singer-songwriter – turned music entrepreneur Snow. J, known for her extraordinary vision in bridging the Chinese market with the West, engaged in the East x West: Cross Cultural AI Trends In Music Productionpaneldiscussion on 16 March. The panel received notable support from revered tastemaker publication Rolling Stone UK, which highlighted their participation in the SXSW discussion.
The panel drew strong interest from international music professionals eager to better understand the Chinese music market in the age of artificial intelligence. As the global music industry is propelled forward by the rapid iteration of AI technologies, China—one of the world’s most dynamic markets for AI application—is undergoing profound transformation. How are these changes reshaping music creation, distribution, and value? As AI virtual artists begin performing R&B from behind digital screens, a fundamental question emerges: where do human musicians stand in this new landscape? When music production becomes infinitely scalable, the discussion shifts from efficiency to meaning—prompting the industry to reconsider what truly remains scarce in the future of music.
At this panel, Vice President of Copyrights at NetEase Music, Vivian Wei, Cheerful Music representative Snow J (蒋雪儿), and international electronic music artist MKJ came together to explore cross-cultural music creation in the AI era and discuss the future development of the global music industry.
Image credit: Dongfang Duan
The Current Landscape: A Library of Millions of AI-Generated Tracks – and the Disappearance of Breakout Hits
The panel opened with a discussion about the current state of China’s AI music market. Vivian Wei, Vice President of Copyrights at NetEase Music shared more on how AI has become an unstoppable force in the Chinese music industry. In her view, AI has dramatically lowered the barriers to music creation, leading to a surge in content uploads across platforms. However, despite the growing presence of innovative AI-driven works and a small number of tracks showing strong performance, AI music remains in an early stage of development. While overall production volume continues to rise rapidly, the head effect is still limited, and the proportion of AI-generated breakout hits remains relatively low. This gap between scale and impact underscores the ongoing challenge of translating technological efficiency into lasting audience resonance.
Snow. J shared Cheerful Music’s strategic response to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. She mentioned that despite the massive volume of songs uploaded daily, the label has maintained a clear bottom line: it does not produce purely one-click, fully AI-generated music. Instead, Cheerful Music currently leverages AI technologies for AI-assisted reinterpretations of popular tracks, while also developing its own virtual artist. The label remains firmly focused on its strengths in Chinese traditional music, emphasizing cultural depth and artistic identity. Electronic artist MKJ shared that AI will not replace artists, and mentioned that creators with distinctive styles and consistently high-quality output will always stand out amid an overwhelming volume of content. He emphasized that the more urgent question today is how to find a sustainable balance between human creativity and AI – using AI efficiently as a tool without undermining the income and value of human artists.
Consumption and Listening Habits: Have Audiences’ Ears Changed?
The panel then discussed whether or not AI has shifted audiences’ listening behaviour. Vivian Wei observed that, over the past decade, Chinese users’ musical preferences have remained remarkably stable. She noted that mainstream hits in China have consistently been Mandopop and R&B, particularly heartbreak ballads, while genres like Afrobeat have historically attracted only niche audiences. She suggested that overseas artists looking to enter the Chinese market should prioritise these mainstream styles. Vivian Wei further explained that, in today’s social media–driven era, artists cannot rely solely on production. Beyond creating music, they must actively manage their music platform accounts and social media profiles to build a fanbase. While AI can simplify production, it cannot by itself make an artist stand out.
Snow. J then shared her experience of a successful cross-genre collaboration with MKJ. She mentioned that the track, which merged Afrobeats with traditional Chinese elements, performed strongly on streaming platforms, which provided a unique blueprint for artists wanting to enter the Chinese market. When it comes to promotion however, Snow. J pointed out that based on the label’s experience, AI-generated tracks rarely become breakout hits and often face copyright disputes, making commercialisation more challenging.
Copyright Boundaries: Who Should Bear the Costs of “One-Click” AI Music?
The panel then shifted to one of the most pressing issues related to AI today: AI music royalties and regulatory frameworks. On this topic, Vivian Wei was candid. Currently, NetEaseMusic imposes no restrictions on AI creators, and they are able to receive royalty payments through the platform. However, she emphasized that any form of copyright infringement must be strictly addressed. Vivian Wei noted that AI-related royalty allocation is an ongoing discussion, and she personally believes that distribution rules should reflect the proportion of human contribution within a track. She further stressed that the current proliferation of AI-generated music is already influencing the broader industry ecosystem, and moving forward, it is essential to continue developing solutions that create a fair and transparent environment for all stakeholders, in collaboration with partners across the industry. Snow. J noted that on some Chinese streaming platforms, AI-generated music is already eligible for royalty settlements. MKJ expressed caution, saying that although AI is an innovative and powerful tool he warned that it could make producers lazy or over dependent. He also explained that the quality of AI-generated music remains difficult to compare with music created by humans, emphasizing that the use of AI tools requires more standardized oversight and regulation to ensure fairness and maintain artistic integrity.
Future Outlook: Human-Created Music Will Become an Even More Precious Asset
Looking toward the future of the music industry, Vivian Wei believes that AI music will become an important creative tool and help meet certain audience demands, but it will not dominate the entire market. She noted that the most expressive form of music remains live performances by artists, where genuine emotional connection occurs – something AI cannot replicate. Vivian Wei advised artists to stay true to their strengths and focus on building their personal brand, cautioning against losing themselves or their original artistic vision in the pursuit of AI-generated trends. Snow. J then shared a highly valuable observation saying: “The faster AI develops, the more valuable human-created music becomes.” She emphasized that Cheerful Music will continue to focus on original music and maintain traditional instrument-based creation and international songwriting camps, while adding AI-related modules to existing business operations. Snow. J also noted that in an environment saturated with AI-generated music, effective marketing and promotion are even more critical.
Closing Remarks: Upholding Originality to Keep Music Warm
The discussion closed on an enlightening note: For Cheerful Music, AI has never been an “invader” to resist or avoid; instead, it is a lever that helps us bring the expressions in our hearts to a wider world.
Looking ahead, Cheerful Music will continue to hold every original creation with respect and care. With the powerful support of technology, the label leverages AI to enhance production efficiency and explore new sensory possibilities for virtual artists, but their core driving force will always be human creativity. As Snow. J brilliantly put it: “The faster AI develops, the more valuable human-created music becomes.”
“From viral hit maker to a featured Harvard Business School case study, Cheerful Music exemplifies how a new generation of Chinese music label is navigating the digital music era and globalizing through the lens of internet-native entrepreneurship” Bandwagon.asia
“Cheerful Music’s “hit logic” consists of three elements: keen market intuition, rapid execution, and flexible promotion mechanisms.” Yahoo! Finance
“Cheerful Music arrived at Amsterdam Dance Event 2025 with something beyond a label showcase. In a week where international heavyweights dominated lineups across the city, they stood out as the only Chinese music company hosting its own stage, stepping into one of the world’s biggest electronic moments with a mission bigger than a club night.” Notion Magazine
After sitting idle since its 2011 shutdown, Jive Records is back as a standalone entity through RCA Records and Sony Music. The label earned its place in history by turning Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest into global forces, blending sharp A&R with the kind of pop and rap that dominated radio and MTV for years. Relaunching it now gives RCA a dedicated lane to chase similar breakthroughs in an industry that’s changed completely since Jive’s first run.
Mike Weiss and David Melhado have been named Co-Presidents, fresh off key roles at UnitedMasters where they helped shape the careers of independent standouts Brent Faiyaz and NLE Choppa. Their experience building artists through distribution deals and direct fan connections translates directly to what a modern major-label need, eyes for talent that can scale without losing authenticity.
Bringing Jive back isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a strategic play to reclaim space in hip-hop and pop at a moment when genre lines are blurring again. With Weiss and Melhado steering and RCA’s resources behind them, the revived label looks positioned to sign acts who can carry forward the same cultural weight its original roster once did.
Peter Edge, RCA Chairman and CEO, shared: “We admire the impressive results Mike and David have achieved in their careers. Bringing them in to lead Jive Records feels like a natural evolution and a poetic way to revive a label that has been at the forefront of hip-hop and pop. Their sharp instincts and proven ability to discover and develop artists make them the perfect team to launch Jive’s next era.”
Tomorrow, May 9, 2025, the Lemmy Forever Stoke-On-Trent Ceremony will roar into Burslem to honor Motörhead’s iconic founder, Lemmy Kilmister. Born Ian Fraser Kilmister in 1945 in this very town, Lemmy carved a legendary path as the gravel-voiced bassist and frontman of Motörhead, a band that fused punk’s raw energy with metal’s unrelenting power. With 23 studio albums, including seminal works like Ace of Spades and Overkill, Motörhead redefined heavy metal, earning a Grammy and a legion of devoted fans. Lemmy’s death in 2015 at age 70 left a void, but his rebellious spirit endures, celebrated through this event marking the band’s 50th anniversary and a decade since his passing.
The day kicks off at 4 p.m. in Burslem town center with a biker’s corteo escorting Lemmy’s ashes, placed by guitarist Phil Campbell into a striking bronze statue crafted by local sculptor Andy Edwards. Capturing Lemmy’s 1981 stage presence, the statue nods to Motörhead’s legendary Heavy Metal Holocaust performance at Port Vale Stadium. Fans can dive into the vibe early with Motörhead-themed drinks at Old Post Office Bar and a special roast at Market Place Café. The Bare Walls Art Gallery will showcase rare Lemmy photos and memorabilia, while evening events include Motörwrecked rocking Grumpy’s Bar alongside an auction of exclusive Motörhead gear. Over at Mitchell Arts Centre, Motörheadache will deliver a tribute set, with tickets priced at £18.
“It’s wonderful, finally getting an incredible statue in his home town,” says Phil Campbell, reflecting on the event’s significance. The ceremony, complete with a 21-rev salute, promises to channel Lemmy’s larger-than-life energy, uniting fans in a raucous celebration. With parking at Port Vale Football Club, taxi services via Ace Taxis, and special lodging rates at DoubleTree by Hilton, the day is set to be a fitting tribute to a rock’n’roll titan whose influence still reverberates.
