Huang Zitao

Huang Zitao
Huang Zitao at the Ports 1961 Opening Ceremony in Shanghai in 2015
Background information
Chinese name	黃子韜 (traditional)
Chinese name	黄子韬 (simplified)
Pinyin	Huáng Zǐtāo (Mandarin)
Born	(1993-05-02) May 2, 1993 Qingdao, Shandong, China
Other name(s)	Edison Huang Z.Tao Tao
Occupation	Rapper Singer Songwriter Actor Martial Artist
Genre(s)	C-pop K-pop
Label(s)	TH Entertainment Huang Zitao Studio
Years active	2012–present
Associated acts	EXO EXO-M SM Town
Alma mater	Qingdao Foreign Service Vocational School

Huang Zitao (born 2 May 1993), better known as Tao, is a Chinese rapper, singer-songwriter and actor. He is a former member of the South Korean-Chinese boy group EXO and its sub-group EXO-M under S.M. Entertainment. In 2015, he made his solo debut with the three-track, digitally released mini-album T.A.O, under the new stage name Z.Tao.^[1]

Early life

Huang Zitao was born in Qingdao, Shandong, China. As a child, he undertook Wushu training and became a student athlete.^[2] In late 2010 he was scouted by a representative from S.M. Entertainment at a talent show.

Music career

2011–2015: EXO and lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment

On December 27, 2011, Zitao was formally introduced as the third member of Exo (with the stage name Tao).

In late 2013, Zitao took part in filming for MBC's celebrity diving program Splash!, but was reportedly injured.^[3]

He performed on two songs from Zhou Mi's album Rewind, for both of which he penned the rap lyrics;^[4] and appeared as a cast member of the Solomon Islands edition of the SBS reality television program Laws of the Jungle in 2014. He left the show early due to a foot injury on a coral reef during filming.^[5]

In June 2015, Zitao set up an official Chinese agency, 黄子韬Z.TAO Studio.^[6] On August 24, he filed a lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment to terminate his contract.^[7] The principal cause of Zitao's exit stemmed from health concerns: mainly the aggravation of an ankle injury sustained at the Idol Star Athletics Championships.^[8][9]

Solo career

On July 23, 2015, Zitao made his solo debut with a digital EP titled T.A.O, which sold 670,000 digital copies in its first week.^[10] The album was followed up with a second EP, Z.TAO, which was released for free on August 19 with the title track "Crown" after being postponed due to the Tianjin explosions.^[11] The music video for "Crown" was presented in the style of a 7-minute short film, directed by Nick Lentz and featuring Jessica Gomes.^[12] Zitao performed the stunts and martial arts sequences for the action scenes.^[13] Zitao held his first solo performance was held at the Beijing Exhibition Center Theater on August 23, as part of a benefit concert for those affected by the Tianjin explosions.^[14]

On October 15, Zitao released the single "Reluctantly", a ballad composed by himself and Andros Rodriguez.^[15] At the 2015 Migu Music Awards, Zitao won his first award for "Best Stage Performance" and performed the single.^[16] As part of an endorsement deal with the game I'm the Sovereign, Zitao composed and released the single "I'm the Sovereign".^[17] The song was number one on China's Billboard chart for the week of December 5, 2015.^[18]

On January 12, 2016, Zitao won the "Most Influential Male Singer" award at the 2016 Mobile Video Festival (Miopai Awards).^[19] He was later invited to perform as a headliner for the SoYoung 2016 Live Concert Tour on January 29, which featured young rising musicians in China.^[20]

A new album, The Road, was announced in March, recorded partly in Los Angeles in collaboration with Nick Lentz.^[21] The lead single "The Road" was released on April 22. On May 1, Zitao commenced a concert tour for the album in Nanjing^[22] and released a music video for the single "Hello, Hello", featuring Wiz Khalifa.^[23] Another single, "Adore" was released the same month and sold over 30,000 copies, receiving the platinum certification.^[24] The Road was released on August 22 was sold with 8888 pieces limited edition. After one minute of pre-sale opening, the sale profit reached 500k rmb; and the album reached number one on the sale charts.^[25] At the end of 2016, Zitao won the Most Influential Male Singer award at the Tencent Star Awards.^[26]

In April 2017, Zitao was named Promotional Ambassador for the 17th Top Chinese Music Awards, where he also won the "All-Round Artist" award.^[27] He embarked on his first Asia Tour, Promise which kick-start in Beijing on April 30, and released a single of the same name.^[28]

Artistry and musical style

	I'm the Sovereign "I'm the Sovereign" combines rap, EDM, and Chinese musical instruments.
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Following his departure from EXO and return to China, Zitao stated that he made a decision to pursue his career in the ailing Chinese music industry, expressing a desire to continue as an artist with the goal of seeing C-Pop receive global recognition.^[29][30] He is involved in songwriting and composition, drawing inspiration from his experiences.^[31][32]

Although he is primarily a rapper, he has also performed Mandopop ballad songs. His music combines elements of hip hop, EDM, and Chinese musical instruments.^[33] He cites Jay Chou as his musical inspiration, having listened to his music growing up.^[34]

Acting career

Zitao made his first film appearance in You Are My Sunshine alongside Huang Xiaoming and Yang Mi. The film was released on May 1, 2015.^[35]

In 2016, Zitao starred in the action comedy Railroad Tigers directed by Ding Sheng, alongside Jackie Chan.^[36][37]

In 2017, Zitao starred in the martial arts film The Game Changer,^[38] directed by Gao Xixi and inspired by the Chinese television series The Bund.^[39] In April, he starred in his first leading role in romantic thriller Edge of Innocence.^[40][41] In August, Tao will star in his first television series The Negotiator, a spin-off of the 2016 hit drama The Interpreter.^[42] He will also star in A Chinese Odyssey: Love You A Million Years, the drama adaptation of Chinese Odyssey in September.^[43]

Endorsements

In June 2017, Zitao collaborated with Jonathan Anderson, LOEWE's creative director, on the "FIRE OF YOUTH" campaign,^[44] becoming the first Asian artist invited to collaborate with LOEWE.^[45]

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Single albums

Singles

Soundtrack appearances

As featured artist

Filmography

Film

Television

Variety

Awards and nominations

Footnotes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Huang Zitao.

• ZTAO Official Channel on YouTube