Chart-topping Chinese recording artist/songwriter/producer/actor Kris Wu has shared his latest single, “Freedom” ft. Jhené Aiko. Released via Ace Unit/Interscope Records, “Freedom” is available now via all digital retailers.

Produced by FKi 1st (Migos, 2 Chainz, Post Malone, Travis Scott), “Freedom” is a quietly powerful melodic rap track that unfolds with graceful guitar and heart-stirring string arrangements over trap drums. Shifting effortlessly from soulful serenade to nimble, rapid-fire flow, Kris’s vocal delivery makes an irresistible match for Aiko’s lush yet ethereal voice.

“Freedom” follows Kris’s recent single “Like That,” which debuted at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at #37 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Hailed as a “contagious, slow tempo record” by HotNewHipHop and a “breezy bop with a romantic twist” by Idolator, “Like That” hit #1 on the US iTunes Chart immediately after premiering in May.

Also in May, Kris shared the video for “Like That" featuring British supermodel Stella Maxwell which the music video garnered over 14 million views to date.

Both “Freedom” and “Like That” are set to appear on Kris’s forthcoming debut album, due out this fall. The two singles are Kris’s first releases since signing an exclusive international recording agreement with Interscope Records / Universal Music Group (UMG) in April. 

Last October, Kris became the first-ever Chinese artist to reach #1 on the US iTunes Chart, thanks to the smash success of his single “Deserve” ft. Travis Scott. Along with breaking the Top 40 on US Rhythmic radio, “Deserve” has racked up more than a billion streams globally. 

One of Asia’s biggest stars, 27-year-old Kris was born in Guangzhou, China. Over the past two years, he’s gained an international following with a series of viral hits that he co-wrote and co-produced (including “July,” “6,” “B.M.,” and “Juice”). With those tracks amassing millions of plays online and attracting a major fanbase in the US, he’s also starred in movies like XxX: Return of Xander Cage and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. In addition, he serves as a global brand ambassador for BVLGARI and a global brand ambassador at Burberry (earning the distinction of being the first non-British person chosen to represent the luxury brand). In early 2018, Wu was tapped as an ambassador for the NFL and became the first Chinese artist to perform at Super Bowl LIVE.

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced an exclusive international recording agreement with Kris Wu, one of Asia’s biggest stars and an artist whose creative success spans music, film and television

Under the agreement, future music from the multi-talented phenomenon will be released internationally through a partnership of Interscope Geffen A&M in the U.S., Island Records in the U.K., and Universal Music China, as well as UMG’s operations in more than 60 countries, delivering impactful worldwide campaigns across digital platforms, physical releases, audio-visual titles and select live events.

The 27-year-old music producer, singer song-writer and actor was born in Guangzhou, China, in October became the only Chinese artist to reach No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Chart with the smash success of the single “Deserve,” featuring Travis Scott. Along with gaining significant airplay on American radio, “Deserve” has racked up more than a billion streams to date. Noting its “sensual, harmonizing vocals,” Billboard hailed “Deserve” as a “trap-laden banger built to be played in clubs around the world.”

In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, UMG’s Chairman and CEO, said, “Kris is an incredibly talented recording artist, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur. I’m thrilled that Kris is joining the UMG family and honored that we will have the opportunity to build upon his remarkably successful career.”

Kris Wu said, “It‘s my pleasure to be part of this collaboration with Universal Music Group. I'm enjoying the time to share creative and vision of my music. As a singer-songwriter and producer, the album I’m working on now is elaborately produced and rounded by me and I will keep working to deliver more beautiful works to all my audiences around the world.”

Sunny Chang, Chairman and CEO of UMG’s Greater China operations, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Kris and our sister companies to launch new global hit songs from Kris, who is a genuine musical talent. As one of the industry’s top producers and singer-songwriters, Kris has global ambitions and he’s fluent in Mandarin, English and Korean, allowing him to uniquely overcome any language barrier. As China grows into one of the world’s biggest music markets, Universal Music China will continue to develop Kris Wu as well as the very best Chinese talent and position its artists for success both in the local market and across the globe.”