EM024

G3GE

M3ME

We are living in the age of memes, remixing, and reproduction of ideas.

The title M3ME was born in July 2024, one evening in a WeChat group for Shabby Club - —a small, close-knit space online with my closest collaborators: Pav, Billionhappy, and Xiaji. I shared a video documenting the process of making an MC track, and Xiaki responded with “MC G3.” Coincidentally, the demo I was working on at the time was also titled “MC G3,” which sparked her suggestion to abbreviate it to “M3.” Then, Billionhappy chimed in with “M3ME,” drawing a playful connection between the word “meme” and my name, Gege. And just like that, the name for my EP was born.

The majority of the tracks on the M3ME EP emerged from conversations and ideas exchanged with friends online. For example, the track K.O. was inspired by a chat with Gogo, who sent me an image of a Japanese anime-style fighter. We jokingly imagined creating a song about us having a fight, and that idea turned into K.O.

Reflecting the inherently lighthearted and humorous nature of memes, I wanted the music and visuals of this EP to convey that same sense of fun and spontaneity. The four tracks are perfect for rave environments, with their high-energy beats and explosive emotional intensity. At the same time, they carry a distinct “土嗨” (tu-hai) vibe—a playful, slightly tacky aesthetic that adds a unique flavor to the music. For the visuals, I drew inspiration from my dual life between China and the UK, shooting scenes in my hometown of Wuhu, Anhui, and seeking out locations in London that evoke a sense of Chinese culture. I also deliberately incorporated low-fi, cheap effects in the videos, aiming to evoke the early 2000s nostalgia that is so synonymous with the internet meme culture I’m celebrating.

From the perspective of meme replication and viral dissemination, this EP also includes two cover tracks—both of which were once viral phenomena in China. Our Country is a Garden is inspired by 娃哈哈 (Wahaha), an iconic children’s song that nearly every Chinese person, young or old, can sing by heart. Similarly, MC Drunken Love is based on the viral anthem 一人我饮酒醉 (I Drink Alone), a groundbreaking track in the history of Chinese “shouting rap” (喊麦). What I’ve done with these songs is take these viral cultural staples and infuse them with my own interpretation and personal tastes, creating a fresh musical experience that speaks to the present moment and resonates with today’s audience.

In essence, M3ME is more than just an EP—it’s a celebration of our time, a reflection of how internet culture, nostalgia, and personal creativity can blend into something entirely new and unique.

M3ME carries with it a hopeful vision—a desire for my music to become something like a meme: continuously replicated and shared, evoking the most direct and genuine emotions in people.