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Mao Mao Yu – Li Minghui

The story of a 1920s Chinese Jazz hit and its starlet singer, which helped to promote the new national language of China.

Mao Mao Yu or ‘Drizzle’ sung by Li Minghui reflects how female singers in China in the 1920s had to do so in a childish voice to avoid accusations of lewdness. Musicologist Simon Zagorski-Thomas talks to author Andrew Jones about the golden age of Chinese jazz and the rise of nationalism which often used popular music to promote the new language of China years before the Cultural Revolution.

Produced by Rami Tzabar for BBC World Service.

Image: Record label artwork, BBC

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9 minutes

Last on

Mon 25 Feb 201904:50GMT
BBC World Service South Asia

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  • Sat 23 Feb 201905:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & South Asia
  • Sun 24 Feb 201915:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa
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  • Mon 25 Feb 201904:50GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia