Akini Jing is the Cyborg Musician Combining Techno with Chinese Orchestra

From Blade Runner to Akira, cyberpunk aesthetics have long leaned into East Asian aesthetics to explore highly technological possible futures; reclaiming the space comes Akini Jing, the Chinese born singer, songwriter and music producer that has been exploring the musical sounds that would be inherent in an Eastern Cyberpunk world. Her electronic sound, particularly on new album VILLAIN, combines techno beats with orchestral tunes to tell detailed stories with intricate character arcs and deft nods to China’s cultural history. Leaning into the martial arts genre of Wuxia, the output of this multifaceted creative is seeking out the highs and lows, villains and heroes of everyday life through a dystopian narrative. 

Speaking with senior editor Gina Tonic, Jing digs into the sounds and aesthetics that influenced her newest release, as well as the past five years of making music under the Akini Jing cyborg moniker.

I read that you refer to Akini Jing as a separate identity, a “cyborg identity" that began as a personality experiment. Could you explain what you meant by that?

I first created the persona Akini Jing in 2018 when my life and creativity were in a numb and lost period. At that time, I had the opportunity to join a Microsoft artificial intelligence creation development project as a trainer, which really inspired me. I created a non-human character, the cyborg Akini Jing, as a way to reflect on my life and the world from a third-person perspective. I used this perspective to create music and art, leading to the initiation of my "Eastern Cyberpunk" project. After three albums as that persona, I now feel that Akini and I have become more and more integrated with one another.

More and more musicians are using personas when putting out their art. What do you think is spurring on this differentiation?

I think everyone has different reasons, but I believe that people have more than one side. Using personas to express and create art may make it easier to sort out and explore different personal dimensions and develop them into an aesthetic system. I think this is more of a journey that belongs to the artist themselves.

How do you feel about being aligned with the hyperpop music movement? What does hyperpop mean to you?

When hyperpop first emerged a few years ago, it wasn't as mainstream as it is now. I was very excited about its emergence because it's retro but futuristic, optimistic but depressed; it’s so fun and crazy. However, with the popularity of hyperpop, it has gradually developed its own tropes. Of course, there will still be some unique songs. For me, it represents an underground music style of a short period of time. Not every style can represent an era, but hyperpop, I think, does.

What does titling the genre as Eastern Cyberpunk this mean to you?

“Eastern” refers to the terms of aesthetic inspiration and nourishment, both visually, culturally, philosophically, as well as mythologically and archetypally.

“Cyberpunk” more represents the time and world that we live in, as well as my observations and reflections on it -- some imagined present and future. And of course, the futuristic aesthetic and sound.

Why do futuristic aesthetics appeal to you?

Because they are full of the unknown and imagination. How to relate to the future is also a significant proposition in the era we live in.

I love the narrative and character elements coming through in the Black Widow song and music video. Can we expect to see more of it in VILLAIN?

Thank you so much! Yes, Black Widow is an important character in VILLAIN, and there is another character, the assassin, “Shadow,” whose entangled fate will be told throughout the album. I will use music, visuals, literature, comics, and more media to present them.

What are you looking forward to most with the new album rollout?

The album release is not the end. I am most looking forward to how many new art forms I can create, and I hope this album will take me to unknown stages, audiences, and more wonderful journeys.

Words: Gina Tonic 

VILLAIN the new album from Akini Jing is out on 12th Jan.