EMI returns to Asia with Taiwanese stars

Taipei - Famed music company EMI marked its return to Asia on Monday after an absence of five years by signing on Taiwan's popular singers A-mei, Show Lo and Rainie Yang.

The singers attended a press conference in Taiwan announcing the news, the first held by Universal Music in Asia after the company acquired EMI's recorded music arm in 2012.

EMI's comeback to Chinese music followed its sale in 2008 of its Greater China operations to Hong Kong-based Typhoon Group.

Universal Music Asia Pacific president George Ash presented A-mei with a certificate appointing her as EMI's Greater China brand director. The diva, who posed for pictures standing on 30cm-high platforms, was an EMI artist in 2007.

Lo and Yang joined EMI on Monday from Sony Music.

In a statement, Mr Ash said a historic, new chapter for EMI has opened by its signing of the three iconic singers at one go.

A-mei, who has not released an album in three years, told reporters she is preparing to launch one next month.

The Universal/EMI statement said EMI's focus in setting up shop in Taiwan will be on the Chinese music market.

EMI's artists in the past had included Danny Chan, Phil Chang, Tsai Chin, Faye Wong and Na Ying.

This article was first published on July 02, 2014.
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