Cantopop

Cantonese pop songs

Cantopop is popular music sung in Cantonese, originating in Hong Kong in the 1970s and reaching peak commercial success in the 1980s and 1990s.

The genre blends Western pop, rock, and electronic styles with Cantonese lyrics, and its stars—like Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, and the Four Heavenly Kings—achieved iconic status across East Asia: Classic Cantopop still dominates karaoke playlists. (Also spelled cantopop.)

HongKong

Hong Kong

Chinese special administrative region

localOf this area
heritageInherited cultural legacy
KowloonHong Kong mainland district

Victoria Harbour · neon · night markets · nostalgia · emigration · diaspora · handover · identity · urban · cityscape

style

ballad

Narrative poem or song

power balladEmotional slow rock song
love songRomantic musical composition
melodramaSensational, emotionally overwrought drama

sentimental · romantic · orchestral · arrangement · hooks · chorus · verse · bridge · refrain · lyricism

industry

albums

Bound music collections

singlesUnattached individuals
chartsVisual data displays
record labelsCompanies releasing recorded music

producers · composers · lyricists · concerts · tours · idols · celebrities · stardom · debut · comeback

karaoke

microphone

Audio input device

singingVocal music-making
renditionPerformed version of work
duetPiece for two

songbook · reverb · echo · amateur · crooning · audience · sing-along · playlist · medley · encore

artists

Twins

Two from one birth

Opposites

chinese language variety in pop music

CantopopC-pop

Chinese-language pop music

regional music identity

CantopopK-pop

Korean popular music genre

British pop · Bollywood music

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G