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One of the most popular Chinese singer/songwriters, G.E.M., has brought her Christian faith to the forefront of her new album, Revelation. In early August, G.E.M. released the first music video for the work, for her new song “Gloria,” which has already been viewed nearly 3 million times.
“Gloria”
G.E.M. revealed in an interview with A Day Magazine that "Gloria" was actually the English name given to her by her father and one she still uses in private. She explained that one day she was in the shower when the melody for “Gloria” came to her. From there she began playing around with the concept of inserting her own name into the song, while simultaneously using the word for its Christian implications. She said:
The video for “Gloria” opens up with a shot of a teary-eyed G.E.M. amidst a wasteland, who is suddenly struck as a light begins to shine upon her. With a post apocalyptic aesthetic, G.E.M. finds herself standing before a sign that welcomes her to the “Afterland,” however she is blocked by a barrier as she tries to approach it.
Through vivid visual imagery, G.E.M. tells a story of finding one’s faith in a world that has abandoned such ideals. She meanders through a desert and what looks like the remains of a church before coming to a body of water. Falling to her knees in a desperate prayer, she sees the waters suddenly part and reveal a door that casts an incredible light upon the artist.
In an interview with China Christian Daily, G.E.M. said of the work:
G.E.M.
G.E.M., whose real name is Deng Ziqi, has long been considered among the top singers in Chinese pop music. When she was 16 years old, the Hong Kong native released her first EP, “G.E.M,” which stands for “Get Everybody Moving” and would later be chosen as her moniker.
Within six years of her debut, she appeared on the Chinese singing competition I am a Singer 2, which cemented her as a mainstay in China’s music industry. Ziqi has become one of the most respected artists of her generation for her musicianship.
According to Christianity Today, Ziqi has been called “China’s Taylor Swift,” and her vocal range has earned her the nickname “the Girl Singer with Iron Lungs.” She also boasts the most YouTube views of any Chinese musician, with over 200 million views.
Revelation
“Gloria” is just the first single from G.E.M.’s new 14-song album Revelation. Ziqi has previously explained that the first seven tracks are a conversation with God, while the second half is a response to these prayers.
G.E.M. has expressed that she intends to make music videos for all 14 of the songs. The series of videos is intended to tell a longer story. She told A Day Magazine:
