It is said that among die-hard fans of Grasshopper, there is such a "advice": to watch a Grasshopper concert, you need to bring your own "three treasures" - T-shirts, drinking water and perfume. When you are sweating profusely during the concert, Can come in handy. When talking to Nandu Entertainment, this "advice" was confirmed by me. This group, which is famous for singing and dancing music, will present a singing and dancing performance of more than 100 minutes at the Foshan concert in August. Because they have maintained the habit of physical exercise all year round, they said with a smile that "it doesn't feel strenuous at all", but it may be a test for the audience. "We hope that the audience will also practice good physical fitness and prepare the 'Three Treasures', and then have fun with us. "
Grasshopper, a group composed of Cai Yizhi, Cai Yijie, and Su Zhiwei, was founded in 1985. It got its name because the three people's surnames all have the prefix grass. Grasshopper can be called the originator of the Chinese singing and dancing boy group, and next year will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut. Unlike most of the current boy band members who only get to know each other after joining the company, the three Grasshoppers have known each other since birth. They have played together since childhood, participated in singing competitions together, experienced fantastic debut adventures, and joined hands in Hong Kong where there are many superstars. The golden age of music broke out.
Throughout the interview process, they answered questions in perfect harmony, teased each other without scruples, and knew each other's embarrassments very well. To be more precise, Cai Yijie took the lead in answering questions, and Cai Yizhi often did not follow the routine when adding. Unexpected (cold) jokes popped up, and Su Zhiwei often listened carefully and then made essential additions.
It is now popular to differentiate the roles of boy band members according to their different specialties. When asked what role each of the three of them plays in the group, Grasshopper, who has been on stage and behind the scenes, confidently replied: "We Regardless of positions or responsibilities, each of us is all-round. "
1
The Gears of Destiny
Cai Yizhi and Cai Yijie are brothers, and Su Zhiwei is their next-door neighbor. The three of them were born in the same year, as long as they can remember. Play together. When they were studying, it was popular to hold their own parties. The three of them often acted as hosts and took the lead in performing carefully rehearsed opening dances at parties. They already showed their "conspicuous" qualities at a young age. "We like to hold parties, it's fun. This is the original prototype of Grasshopper."
But the three of them never imagined becoming singers. Cai Yizhi's dream when he was a child was to be a "fish egg merchant", and he envied him for "being able to do business and eat fish eggs at the same time." When Cai Yijie was 13 years old, he was approached by many talent scouts when he was walking on the street, but he never believed it until a friend signed him up to participate in the imitation contest of Japanese artist Kondo Masahiko, and he actually appeared on the stage for the first time. He has always had a strong desire to perform and has always been at ease. "There has never been a word 'fear'". As for Su Zhiwei, "the two of them said that I just have the hands and feet to do it," so they were "forced" to join the group.
The turning of the gears of fate occurred in 1985. The three participated in the 4th Rookie Singing Contest. They filled in Cantonese lyrics to a Japanese dance song and choreographed, sang and danced it themselves, just like they did at a party when they were young. With most of the contestants standing still and singing covers of ready-made songs, they once again became a "conspicuous package" and attracted the attention of Anita Mui as a judge.
Although it is conceivable that Grasshopper has told the media countless times about the process of getting to know Bole Anita Mui in the past 40 years, hearing their vivid narrations in person still created rich scene details. That night, just as Grasshopper had finished their performance and the judges were about to comment, as if by fate, the entire room suddenly lost power. Soon someone took out candles and lit up the room. In the candlelight, Anita Mui called the three of them to her, "The first thing she did was to tell us not to be afraid, and then she started chatting with us, 'Who arranged the dance you did? What song did you sing?'" Grasshopper 1 Ichi Terumi replied, "We arranged the dance ourselves, and we found a Japanese song and wrote the lyrics ourselves." After a few short words of conversation, the lights came back on, the next contestant walked into the room, and they left. .
They didn't get a place in that competition, so the three of them went back to work as usual.One day a few months later, my home suddenly received a call from someone claiming to be from the record company: "Anita Mui wants to see you, please make an appointment to come to the company." The first reaction was a scam call, "How could Anita Mui come to us?" Three People came to the record company at the appointed time with hesitation, "Anita Mui was really sitting there waiting for us."
What is even more dreamy is that Anita Mui invited Grasshopper to meet her in the hope that they would serve as guests for her upcoming 15 concerts. "You have to pay attention, you are here as a guest, not as a backup dancer, or anything else." Grasshopper emphasized. Upon hearing the news, the three of them pretended to be calm on the surface, but were "absolutely shocked" inside and were so excited that their "butts almost stood up".
Grasshopper, who was still an amateur at the time, stood on the stage of the Hong Kong Coliseum and accepted the gaze of 12,000 spectators. "People who could only be seen on TV before would never have thought that through the fate of the competition, they would become her concert guests. Everything is a gift from God."
2
framily
Following Anita Mui and being taught by her words and deeds, Grasshopper Once you enter the industry, seize every opportunity to learn and participate. "Make-up, styling, choreography, singing, marketing strategies, drivers, nannies... we have to rely on ourselves for everything. No team will help us. If we don't learn and participate ourselves, we will have no chance." When
was just starting out, The three grown men learned to put on makeup, and they often put on makeup so much that they "shocked" each other. Their eyebrows were distorted and the colors were weird, and they "thought it was the Bon Festival."
Because they had no money, the three of them lived in a small room, "eating, sleeping, and dancing in it." There was only a small mirror in the room for combing hair. They took turns holding the mirror and looking at each other's dance moves.
Grasshopper is envious of today's boy groups. They have their own professional team of stylists, makeup artists, hairstylists, choreographers, etc. as soon as they debut. They also have the opportunity to receive professional singing and dancing training, unlike before where they could only be "rustic". Concocted by law.” However, the rudimentary conditions at that time created their strong adaptability. By relying on their own efforts, everyone in Grasshopper has developed a skill. Even if the members work separately in the future, each one of them will be able to perform independently. "It's a good thing, because we were born in a not so good environment, so we have to work harder, study more, and pay more than others, and this continues until now."
The age of acquaintance is almost equal to the length of life. Grasshopper used their latest single "framily" to describe their relationship as both friends and family. If there is a disagreement at work, he will point it out directly; if someone's dance moves are not up to standard, he will be "killed" with a look. "The tone is sometimes a little harsh, but it's all about talking about the matter, not really arguing."
Starting from Xu Guanjie's pioneering of Cantonese pop songs in 1974, Cantonese songs have a history of 50 years. Grasshopper was born in the 1960s and was active in the golden age of the Cantonese music scene when there were many superstars such as Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung and Luo Wen. It can be said that he witnessed and participated in the historical changes. Their masterpieces such as "Love Lost Front Alliance", "Baby I'm Sorry" and "Forgetful Samba" are still being covered and re-created on music variety and short video platforms.
Su Zhiwei's first impression of Cantonese songs came from Xu Guanjie's "Tie to the Floor" lyrics, which describe what happens around every ordinary person. Cai Yijie recalled that in the 1970s, Cantonese songs "took off" along with everything. "Both men and women were very beautiful, and the hair style of the grandmothers on the street would be very delicate." What impressed Cai Yizhi deeply was that from the 1980s to the 1990s, Hong Kong lyricists "expanded Cantonese characters to the fullest". "It turns out that Cantonese characters can reach such a peak." Cantonese songs are deeply embedded in the three people’s memories of growing up. Listening back to the songs of that period, the people, things and things of that period become vivid again.
With 40 years of accumulation, Grasshopper will hold the "re:grasshopper" tour concert Foshan station on August 17th at the Foshan International Sports Culture and Performing Arts Center. "re:" has multiple meanings. It is a carefully arranged rearrange, a healing rehab, a restart, and a reunion after a long separation.Grasshopper's own chefs, from the arrangement of songs and dance steps to the design of costumes, visuals and other aspects, carefully prepare "delicious dishes" such as appetizers, main dishes, desserts, etc. for the audience, and "diners" do not need to Don't worry about ordering "dishes", just be prepared to relax and enjoy a musical feast that is full of color, flavor and flavor.
At the end of the interview, the Nandu reporter played a quick question and answer game with three friends who have been together for nearly 60 years. Although the three people's answers to most of the questions were inconsistent, each other's full explanations of the answers and accurate teasing were so good. What about a tacit understanding?
The interview ended and Grasshopper and the team were sent downstairs. When parting, Grasshopper said, "We still have many stories, and we will tell them to you next time."
Nandu Entertainment We've known each other almost since birth.
Cai Yijie: How do you know about ?
Nandu Entertainment: (mind racing rapidly) Uh... I figured it out.
Cai Yijie: Yes, after my mother gave birth to Cai Yizhi, she met Su Zhiwei’s mother. Su Zhiwei’s mother gave birth to his brother and him, and my mother gave birth to me. So there were originally four people in Grasshopper, but later we felt that our younger brother was more outstanding, so we only admitted him to Grasshopper (laughs).
Nandu Entertainment: Have you ever dreamed of being a star since you were a child?
Grasshopper: ( in unison) No.
Cai Yizhi: When I was a child, my ambition was to be a merchant selling fish eggs.
Su Zhiwei: vendors are just vendors, just click on it.
Cai Yizhi: (serious face) is a businessman. Because I loved eating fish eggs when I was a child, I was very envious that he could eat fish eggs while doing business. I was really happy. If I have the chance in the future, I will still pursue this dream.
Cai Yijie: When I was on the street when I was 13 years old, many talent scouts came to me, but I never found them because I never believed in the so-called talent scouts. Later, there was a Kondo Masahiko imitation contest. My friend signed me up, so I tried it. I won and performed in front of Kondo Masahiko himself. Because I have a strong desire to perform, I have never been afraid of anything.
Su Zhiwei: They said that one person is needed. I only need the hands and feet, so I joined...
Nandu Entertainment: In recent years, many new boy groups have appeared in both Hong Kong and Mainland China. As the originator of a boy band, how do you feel when you see them?
grasshopper: (in unison) Envy!
Cai Yizhi: already had stylists, makeup artists, hairstylists, etc. when they debuted, and many professionals helped them. The internal division of labor is also very detailed, and each one is responsible for what position. We used to be poor and had no choice but to do everything ourselves. So we don’t divide c bits, we only have one bit - omnidirectional.
Su Zhiwei: is also very happy to see so many combinations coming out now. There were no combinations in Hong Kong at that time.
Cai Yizhi: The spirit of our group has not been wasted, and it may have a small impact on others.
Nandu Entertainment: If you participate in a talent show in this era, do you think you can still debut?
Grasshopper: (in unison) Of course! How could it not work?
Cai Yizhi: We have all aspects of .
Cai Yijie: can go into the kitchen and out of the hall.
Cai Yizhi: We are really not joking. Now you suddenly told me that you want to do a performance outside. We can immediately do all the makeup, hair, styling, and choreography ourselves.
Nandu Entertainment: People often say that the 1980s and 1990s were the golden age of the music scene when superstars gathered. In today's era, superstars can no longer be born. Those of you who have come from that golden period, what do you think of this statement?
Su Zhiwei: There are many factors in .First of all, can you find talents with the caliber of Anita Mui, Luo Wen, and Leslie Cheung again? Secondly, the entertainment conditions at that time were not as rich as they are now, and the public was more passive in receiving information. When an artist releases new works, there are many opportunities for the audience to be exposed to them, and you will feel that his/her aura has always been there, making it easy to form the image of a superstar.
Cai Yijie: Many superstars are born in housing estates, and their family conditions are not very good. That environment will stimulate his/her hard work. Many children today may have mobile phones and computers very early, and have nannies at home. These were not things we took for granted back then, so we have to work harder.
Cai Yizhi: In the past, there were not so many temptations to distract attention as now. You can focus on one thing. As long as you focus on the simplest thing, you can do it to the extreme.
Nandu Entertainment: Can you give us a preview of the upcoming Foshan concert?
Su Zhiwei: will have more than 100 minutes of singing and dancing this time, and has also rearranged many classic songs and dance moves.
Cai Yizhi: can sing new songs. I recently wrote a new song "framily", which is very suitable to describe the Grasshopper family we form with our staff, partners, and fans. Next we will release a new album of our own.
Cai Yijie: hopes that the audience will practice good physical fitness and sing, shout and dance with us!
Written by: Nandu reporter Zhong Xin, intern Li Ruiwen
Pictures: provided by the interviewee
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