Jackson Wang, a Chinese-born rap artist, is set to headline his second Manila show this coming November 2. The GOT7 member has steadily built a solo career that pushes past K-pop’s familiar formulas, marking a new chapter for Cantonese artists navigating the global music scene.
His 2022 sophomore album Magic Man made it clear that Wang was taking a different route. He co-wrote every track, distancing himself from the committee-led production style typical in K-pop. The album combined Mandarin lyrics with Western hip-hop and rock influences as well. On the lead single “Blow” released in the same year, he included traditional instrumentation in a way that felt natural, avoiding surface-level use of Asian aesthetics that’s so often seen in pop music.
Wang’s videos and lyrics reflect a consistent cultural point of view. The video for “Leave Me Loving You,” released in 2021, pays homage to cinema; his lyrics explore themes of identity, distance, and cultural duality, which resonated with young Asian listeners trying to find their place in a globalized world. Wang had also co-hosted streamer IShowSpeed’s ‘IRL’ streams, highlighting Asian culture last March.
Get Ready for Team Wang
He also runs his own label, TEAM WANG Records. Instead of following the carefully managed structure that often surrounds idol solo careers, Jackson Wang’s creative choices come across as more instinctive and self-driven. His choreography emphasizes emotion and unpredictability. This was especially clear in his Coachella 2022 performances of “100 Ways” and “Cruel,” where the focus was on presence and mood rather than polished formations.
K-pop’s idol system is known for its long training periods and strict control over every aspect of an artist’s public life. In contrast, Jackson Wang works more like an independent act. He writes music on the spot, directs his own videos, and even designs his own merchandise. For most artists with idol backgrounds, this kind of autonomy rarely comes early in their careers. Wang has used that control to shape a path that feels entirely his own.
Jackson Wang’s upcoming Manila show reflects a broader shift in how Cantonese pop music is carving out space internationally. Wang’s career doesn’t reject the K-pop system, but it shows that there are other ways to build a global audience. His success suggests that Cantonese artists can reach listeners worldwide without having to follow someone else’s formula.
