After finding global success with breakout hits like Faded, ZHU returns to his mysterious sonic origins with the 2026 release of Black Midas.
ZHU crafted a unique style of mainstream electronic music by weaving R&B-inspired house with an ominous, late-night vibe.
His definitive airy falsetto vocals and a distinctively dark, cinematic sound first emerged on the breakout hit “Faded” from his 2014 EP The Nightday. The track became a cornerstone of modern deep house and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording. The globally recognized single remains his most streamed track, amassing over 380 million streams on Spotify and nearly 225 million views on YouTube.
The Nightday also contains ZHU’s second most popular YouTube music video, “Cocaine Model,” which features a groovy bassline and sultry, uptempo club vibe.
His debut studio album, Generationwhy, reached the top of the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart in 2016 with “In the Morning” featuring his signature style and the collaborative single “Working For It.”
ZHU’s 2018 sophomore album Ringos Desert was led by the Tame Impala-crossover “My Life.”
In April 2026, ZHU released his latest project, Black Midas. The album marks a return to his dark club roots, featuring “5STARRR” and “LEVELZZZ,” which he premiered at this year’s Ultra Music Festival.
With music spanning over a decade, ZHU’s Spotify monthly listener count remains north of 4 million.
The 37-year-old Chinese American was raised in the Bay Area and graduated from USC’s Thornton School of Music in 2011.
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