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\tChances are you’ve already heard the song. When you walk in a clothing store, it’s likely to be playing in the background. When you turn on the TV, it’ll be featured on the most popular entertainment shows. When you walk passed a square, old ladies will be dancing to its rhythm. It is the “Most Dazzling Folk Style (\u6700\u70ab\u6c11\u65cf\u98ce zuì xuàn mínzú f\u0113ng)” by Phoenix Legend (\u51e4\u51f0\u4f20\u5947 fènghuáng chuánqí), the moment’s hottest folk\/pop music duo.<\/p>\n
\tConsisting of female vocalist Linghua (\u73b2\u82b1), from Inner Mongolia, and male rapper Zengyi (\u66fe\u6bc5), from Hunan Province, the pair used to perform under the name Cool Fire (\u9177\u706b\u7ec4\u5408 kù hu\u01d2 z\u01d4hé), and has steadily gained popularity since they came together in the late ’90s in Guangdong Province.<\/p>\n
\tLinghua and Zengyi initially traveled to the southern manufacturing hub in search of jobs, but instead discovered a shared passion for music. Originally a sales girl in an electrical appliances shop and a worker in a radio factory, respectively, the duo’s first brush with fame occured when they entered a singing competition held by Channel [V], the music network owned by STAR TV, and reached the final.<\/p>\n
\tHowever, their big break didn’t come until 2005, when they won second place in the popular national talent show “CCTV Avenue of Stars (\u661f\u5149\u5927\u9053 x\u012bnggu\u0101ng dàdào).” With national fame secured, Pheonix Legend quickly signed to a new record label and followed up their success by releasing albums such as “Above the Moon (\u6708\u4eae\u4e4b\u4e0a yuèliàng zh\u012b shàng, 2005)”, “Good Fortune as You So Desire (\u5409\u7965\u5982\u610f jíxiáng rúyì, 2007)” and “Most Dazzling Folk Style (\u6700\u70ab\u6c11\u65cf\u98ce, 2009).”<\/p>\n
\tBlending traditional folk music with hip-hop elements, their sound at first appealed to migrant workers, before gradually evolving to penetrate mainstream pop culture. While the release of “Most Dazzling Folk Style” garnered the partnership near instant viral recognition, it is only recently that they have re-entered the spotlight, thanks to the work of some enterprising Chinese netizens. Through what must have been blind chance, online video editors stumbled across a curious discovery: “Most Dazzling Folk Song” appears to fit snugly with various choreographed dance routines, from Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” to Indian comedy movie “3 Idiots” (see videos below), earning the song the moniker “The Magic Song (\u795e\u66f2 shénqq\u01d4)” for its apparent seamless compatibility.<\/p>\n
\tWe’ve translated some of the lyrics below so you can sing along, or emulate the numerous netizens who have created their own dance routines to the song and uploaded them to the web (not recommended for serious individuals).<\/p>\n
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