The GO$H label was originally part of the Keep Real rap group, one of the earliest rap collectives in Southwest China. It was first established in 2003, and around 2013, the official GO$H label was formed, with members including: GAI, Wudu Montana, Xiao'ai Eye, Bridge, Shanji, K-Eleven, Tory, Xiaoyu, CJ, Turbo, Hippocampus, OG, Johns, and others. Among them, GAI has since signed exclusively with a talent agency.
The musical styles of the label’s members vary widely and are diverse. But the main focus is on the fusion of Chongqing dialect and Trap music. It’s highly distinctive, filled with the unique charm of Chongqing city. It has developed its own style. "This is Fog City" (This is the Foggy City) has also become a signature phrase of the label’s music.
After our last interview with K11, the heartthrob of GO$H, many girls were swooning—"Wow, he’s so handsome!" "K11, I want to marry you!" "Where’s my husband’s bro in the next episode? Hahaha," just kidding. As an ambitious fangirl, your husband is everywhere, okay?! Our lovely editor won’t let the fans down today either. So this time, we’ve invited a freestyle master who frequently appears in major battle competitions—the Chongqing version of Eddie Peng—Shanji!! Let’s chat about the hip-hop life of your beloved Shanji brother~
Shanji Stephen:
Chongqing’s Eddie Peng, active in various battle competitions, skilled in freestyle, great personality, gets along well with everyone.
Representative works: [Her], [Flame Mountain], [My Name is Shanji], etc.
G: Please explain very seriously and earnestly why you’re called Chongqing’s Eddie Peng. Go ahead, start your performance.
Shanji: Okay okay, then I’ll play along. First, I really like Eddie Peng—he’s inspirational, his work is great, and he’s a very positive person. And I’m also a good-looking guy, so in Chongqing, I’m happy to call myself Chongqing’s Eddie Peng. The key is to learn from his spirit—to be a rapper who’s both talented and good-looking. Are you satisfied with this answer? Give me a score. Considering Shanji’s good looks, I’ll give you a 9.9—deducting 0.1 so you don’t get too cocky~
G: We’ve seen your videos in many battle competitions before, like Underground 8 Miles or Check It Out. In these battles, what do you think is the most important thing in freestyle?
Shanji: I think the most important factors are still the lyrics and content. The resonance the lyrics create in people is quite important.
G: You’ve been into hip-hop for many years. In the past, it was a niche scene and not very well understood by the public, and it was hard to make a living from it. Did you ever feel lost or consider giving up like other rappers?
Shanji: I’ve never thought about giving up. When I first started, I did it purely because I loved it. I never thought it would bring me financial gain—it was just my hobby. Without it, life would feel like it’s missing some passion.
G: Are your works based on your romantic life or your own life experiences? Which one is your favorite? Where do you get your inspiration?
Shanji: My favorite would be “Regret” and “I Am Still Me.” The inspiration comes from my life, my own experiences, my own journey.
G: Do you have any new works coming out soon? What are they about specifically?
Shanji: Yes, I’ve posted some demos on Weibo. They’ll probably be released around National Day. The piece is a little love song, a remix of Edison Chen’s “Cloth Robe.” Later, there will also be collaborations with Xiao’ai and Qiangzi, but those might take a bit longer.
G: Nowadays, there are some hip-hop competitions in China. Some are more like entertainment shows, while others are more underground. What’s the difference, in your opinion?
Shanji: I think these two can’t really be compared, nor can you say which is better or worse—they’re both great. For example, the more underground competitions I’ve joined, like Underground 8 Miles, are like boxing or free fighting—you can say whatever you want, nothing is restricted. But with entertainment-style shows, it’s like being in a boxing championship. I think each has its benefits. Competing in underground battles can help you train and improve yourself, build your reputation, and serve as a springboard. But for entertainment shows, I think you need to seize the opportunity and perform well, which makes it easier to become known to the public.
G: How do you view the current market for street culture? Do you think it’s a continuously developing process? Will it become a cautionary tale like Mandopop?
Shanji: I don’t think it’ll go that way. This year marks the first year of hip-hop culture. Everyone needs to stay true to their original intentions, remain authentic, and keep making their own music. Because rap styles evolve quickly, and new flashes will gradually emerge. I don’t think it’ll get old. I think rap in China is progressing. As long as we maintain this momentum—not necessarily aiming for huge fame—but keeping a steady presence, it will develop slowly without being forgotten.
G: Street culture, for us Chinese, is after all imported from abroad, something brought in from overseas. Do you think it faces any obstacles in its development domestically?
Shanji: I think abroad, they write about foreign life, and domestically, we should just write about our own lives. Because the essence of rap is to keep it real. But domestically, there may be some influences that prevent us from going too underground. But if we want to integrate with the domestic market, it doesn’t mean we can only do very underground stuff—we can also write more poetic and picturesque works. So I don’t think limitations and influences will be a big problem.
G: How did you come into contact with hip-hop culture?
Shanji: It was in 2012. I was using a voice platform where people were doing freestyle. I didn’t understand it at the time, so I went and said they weren’t good. I’m pretty thick-skinned, so I just started singing nonsense. I got scolded back then too. Later, through “verbal sparring,” I got into freestyle and then into hip-hop culture. I found it a great way to express myself, so I started getting into hip-hop.
G: Who’s the rapper you admire the most? And since you’re so good at freestyle, can you freestyle a bit about your day or mood? Just a few lines?
Shanji: Joey Bada$$. YoYo. Just freestyle a couple of lines. If I get on stage, it’s usually me stealing the show. Lately, life’s been pretty busy, but it’s precisely because I’m busy that my life feels fulfilled, which has made me stronger.
So you see, now people are even coming to interview me. I don’t know how to make this sound cool, I just want you to feel pumped after listening. The girl interviewing me sounds gentle and must be pretty too.
Thanks a lot for the interview with Shanji. When it comes to freestyle, it’s got to be Shanji’s exclusive. I’m sure through this content, everyone has gotten to know Shanji a bit more. As usual, the next interview with a GO$H member will be out soon. The fourth installment features the cool and handsome Hippocampus. Do you know about him with his short hair and dreadlocks? See you next time.