HONG KONG – Rising Hong Kong vocalist Yan Mi Gao unveiled his latest single, “Zi Xu Wu You” (A Fabrication), at a press conference in Central on Tuesday, receiving a warm show of support from veteran entertainers Louie Castro and William Hu. The artist revealed that the song was personally entrusted to him by senior barrister Wang Zhengyu, the composer behind Leslie Cheung’s iconic hit “For Your Heart,” a gesture he described as both humbling and overwhelming.
“I kept thinking about how Brother Leslie would have sung it, so I constantly reminded myself to be gentle,” Yan said during the event. “I spent six months refining my voice for this track. I hope everyone enjoys it.” He added that Wang has also written an upbeat number for him, which he aims to release before the end of the year.
Yan, who rose to prominence through talent competitions, said he is not rushing his musical journey despite his eagerness to produce a full album. “Of course I want to put out a record, but I dare not be greedy,” he said with a laugh. “When it’s meant to happen, it will. As for a live concert, I’m ready at any time—I prepare every single day. Next year would be great, this year even better, even next month!”
However, he emphasized that he does not want to rush a performance without enough original material. “I hope that when I finally hold a concert, at least one-third of the setlist will be my own songs,” he stated.
Yan also confirmed that he has been invited as a guest performer for the upcoming “Continue to Love: Leslie Cheung’s 70th Birthday Concert,” an event commemorating the legendary star’s milestone. “I feel deeply honored to be part of it,” Yan said. “I don’t yet know exactly what I’ll be doing on stage, but just being involved makes me incredibly happy.”
The announcement comes as Hong Kong’s music scene continues to pay tribute to the enduring influence of Leslie Cheung, who died in 2003. Wang Zhengyu, a leading entertainment lawyer and occasional composer, has remained a quiet but significant link to Cheung’s golden era.
Yan’s new single, “Zi Xu Wu You,” is now available on streaming platforms. Industry watchers say the track’s careful homage to Cheung’s vocal style could help bridge generational gaps among Cantopop fans.
Related reading: For more on Leslie Cheung’s musical legacy, see “The Enduring Echo of Cantopop’s Golden Voice.”
