Higher Brothers China’s Hip Hop Icons, Drops New Visuals For “16 Hours”

Chinese hip-hop icons, Higher Brothers, prepare the release of their sophomore album by dropping the video for their new single, “16 Hours.” Named after the flight time between China and America, “16 Hours” is a playful homage to Higher Brothers’ journey to the west. Written and recorded during their first trip to America, the track signifies Higher Brothers’ global crossover as the first and only China-born rap group to achieve international success.

“The current breakout stars of the Chinese hip-hop world,” (The New York Times) Higher Brothers are defining what it means to be Chinese in an increasingly globalized, internet-fueled world. Recently named ‘2018 Hip Hop Artist Of The Year’ by one of China’s top music streaming platforms, NetEase, and featured in extensive profiles by international media like CNN, Vice News, Rolling Stone and Los Angeles Times, to name a few, Higher Brothers are already the most heralded rappers in Chinese history and this is only the beginning.

Best known for acclaimed singles like “Made In China” and “WeChat “, the group “have held a certain panache for tapping into the sweet spot of rap culture that bridges the Eastern and Western hemispheres.” (XXL) Since last year’s release of their debut album, Black Cab, Higher Brothers have exploded onto the world stage, racking up nearly 250M streams globally and appearing on tracks with many of hip-hop’s most exciting up and comers, including Blocboy JB, Ski Mask The Slump God, Goldlink, 03 Greedo and many more.

They were featured alongside Joji, Rich Brian and AUGUST 08 on “Midsummer Madness,” the lead single from 88rising’s group album that reached #1 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 chart. Higher Brothers have also been tapped by brands like Adidas , Sprite and GUESS, and even connected with Russell Westbrook for an Air Jordan campaign in China. With their sophomore album positioned to be the biggest Chinese hip-hop album in history and more unexpected collaborations coming in the new year, “Higher Brothers’ success story is more than a tale about four kids “making it” – it’s emblematic of a bigger trend towards globalization in hip-hop.” (GQ)

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