Meet Qichen Zong

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Qichen Zong. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Qichen below.

Hi Qichen, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I used to think finding your life purpose was like a grand treasure hunt. But my journey has taught me it’s quite the opposite. Purpose isn’t something you find; it’s something that finds you when you’re truly, joyfully lost in the things you love. For me, that thing was always music.

It started as a child’s curiosity, writing songs from the heart with no plan. Even when I explored painting and fashion, music was the lens through which I saw it all. That curiosity led to a playful challenge: Could a self-taught musician like me get into Berklee? Three months later, me and myself was in New York, treating creation not as work, but as a game.

But the biggest twist came next. On a whim, I auditioned for The Rap of China in NYC. Making top 8 was thrilling, but then a voice inside said, “This isn’t the end of the adventure. It’s the beginning.” In a leap of intuition, I left everything behind, took a gap from Berklee, bought a one-way ticket to China with no plan B, and jumped back into the competition. I wasn’t chasing fame,I was following a feeling. That leap of faith took me to the global top 28 and launched my career.
After touring, I returned to New York to create in quiet and peace, and finally graduated. There, away from the spotlight, I received one of the highest validations: the Grammy U mixtape featured my song. It wasn’t about fame—it was a confirmation that my inner compass—my curiosity and joy—was trustworthy.

Looking back, every leap I took—from teaching myself, to betting on Berklee, to buying that one-way ticket—wasn’t just for music, it was because of music. The process of creating it built a profound self-trust. I became more me. And knowing who you are is the foundation of fearlessness. It’s what allows you to stand alone, to make radical choices, and to feel free, not because your path is easy, but because it is authentically and irrevocably your own.
So, my purpose has always been music. But deeper than that, my purpose is to live and create with an open heart. Music doesn’t ask who I am; it continuously reveals who I am. I’ve learned that the most profound purpose isn’t a distant destination you chase. It’s the trail of breadcrumbs you leave behind while playing, creating, and fearlessly following your curiosity.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hey yall!It’s your girl Jessie,QichenZong I’m a rapper, singer-songwriter, producer from China, now based in NYC. I’m a full-time musician, and my work naturally overlaps with fashion and dance, so I love collaborating with innovative artists across all fields.
What excites me most is expressing myself in a world full of creativity and constantly exploring new ways to make music, while connecting with other artists along the way. I started self-teaching just for fun, following my curiosity—and that same sense of play is what guides my career today. I create without genre boundaries—it’s all about self-expression and connecting with people from different walks of life. My work explores themes of identity and independence, blending bilingual influences with hip-hop, R&B, and pop, while constantly experimenting and evolving.
I create for anyone who’s ever felt between worlds, encouraging them to embrace their own irreplaceable voice. That’s also the heart of my new song, ‘Irreplaceable’—out now everywhere.
It’s all building toward my new EP later this year and my tour. I’m building a world without genres, and I’d love for you to join me. Let’s connect!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

If I were to distill my journey to its essence, three core mindsets have been the architects of it all: Intuitive Curiosity, Radical Self-Integration, and Purposeful Play. They are not separate entities but rather three strands intricately braided into one cord that has guided my every step.

My story is the living testament to these three principles.

It began with Intuitive Curiosity. I never had a conventional roadmap; my internal compass was calibrated to joy. I taught myself music purely for the “fun” of it—it was the only endeavor that could consistently command my focus. My acceptance to Berklee was the result of a personal challenge born from curiosity. And purchasing a one-way ticket to China to compete on The Rap of China was a leap of pure intuition—I had no master plan, only a compelling impulse that whispered, “This looks fascinating.” This very curiosity ushered me into a world obsessed with labels: “Self-taught musician” or “Berklee alum”? “Hip-hop rapper” or “R&B/Pop star”?
My answer is: I am all of them. This is Radical Self-Integration—an active refusal to be confined by boxes or to choose between my identities. Instead, I chose to architect bridges, synthesizing these apparent “contradictions” into my greatest strength. My background is not a burden; it is my unique signature. It renders my music—and by extension, me—defiant of categorization; it is the purest expression of my character.

But how does one translate this intuition and integration into practice? The answer lies in Purposeful Play. I have always approached creation as “Deep Play.” Whether composing in my bedroom or preparing for a destiny-altering competition, my mindset was never “I must win,” but rather, “How thrilling! I wonder what I can create?” This philosophy safeguarded my creativity. It insulated it from the corrosion of results-oriented anxiety, preserving its authenticity and sense of wonder. And it was precisely this authenticity, born from “play,” that ultimately resonated with audiences and forged my professional path.

Many will understandably cite perseverance, self-belief, resilience, and adaptability as the fundamental keys—and I truly believe every successful creator, or anyone on the path, possesses these vital qualities.

But if you are at the beginning and seek my counsel, here is what I offer:
First, trust your intuition as your most critical dataset. Cease looking outward for “the right path,” and instead, listen inward for “what makes you feel truly alive.” Your joy is your most reliable compass.
Then, embrace every facet of your otherness. Your uniqueness is concealed precisely where you feel you don’t belong. Resist the urge to narrowly define your niche; first, expand your sense of self. The world has no need for another replica; it craves the one-of-a-kind, the unclassifiable you.
Finally, remember that all profound achievement can be realized through a state of “play.” If you encounter pain, receive it as a signal to recalibrate. Transform your practice into a game you are desperate to “level up” in. This is the only way to prevent burnout, for this path is a marathon—it is, in fact, our life.

Cultivating these principles ensures that your perseverance is joyful, your effort is authentic, and your adaptability flows from a continuous process of self-rediscovery. We are not industrial commodities; we are artists with souls. And this is how we are meant to live.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes! I’m always open to collaboration and deeply excited by the creative possibilities that emerge when minds collide. I’m looking to partner with creators who treat projects not just as “work,” but as shared exploration—a form of “deep play.”

Specifically, I’m eager to connect with:

Visual World Builders: Directors, photographers, visual artists, and music video creators with a unique aesthetic and narrative vision. If you have bold concepts that blur the lines between reality and the surreal, or can capture the tension of cultural fusion, I want to hear from you.

Sonic Innovators: Producers, arrangers, instrumentalists, and experimental electronic musicians who push boundaries. If you’re obsessed with rhythm, texture, and exploring fusions of Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, and Eastern elements, let’s talk.

Cross-Disciplinary Dreamers: Friends from fashion, dance, tech-art, or immersive experience design who believe in art without limits. If you want to co-create a world that extends from music to visuals, performance, and live experiences, you’re the kind of collaborator I’m seeking.

If this resonates with you, the best way to connect is through my professional team email: [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zzqc_jessie_/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Qichen-Zong-100088662706261/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qichen-zong-81721437a
• Other: spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/2FHNBYIqFLhAppxxJIcqLU?si=9EteNbC2QuihSQw0Kx4W9Q