In her creative work and career decisions alike, rapper, singer and songwriter Yamy is driven by an insatiable spirit of risk-taking. Hailing from Guangdong province, the artist also known as Guo Ying found fame as a finalist of Produce 101 China in 2018. After two years as captain of the show’s idol group, Rocket Girls 101, she set out as a solo artist characterised by the ambition that’s reflected in the title of her debut album, Solo Adventure, released independently in 2022. On the follow-up album JUMPER, Yamy branches out from her customary trap-fuelled sound with an ambitious project split into two conceptual sides. The first features dance and rap tracks embodying the futuristic mechanical gleam of the cover art—and delivered with the fire and flash of the artist’s commanding stage presence. Bass-heavy opener “娱乐模范AI Model”, a rumination on idealised entertainment, heads up the side’s exploration of themes of perfection and self-image. The album’s second side is devoted to lusher, more lyrical songs dealing with the ebb and flow of emotions. While the lyrics and music are all her own, these genre forays are accomplished with the help of international producers, not to mention two notable guests—Japanese vogue icon Koppi Mizrahi on “Trap” and Chinese rapper ICE on “Uninvited”. Below, Yamy gives Apple Music a peek at the ideas that motivate her sound. How does it feel to be named an Apple Music Up Next artist? “I’m delighted and honoured to receive this recognition. I’m fortunate to have my work reach listeners across the globe via Apple Music. I’d like my music to be a companion for my fans, an emotional seasoning to energise you at parties, on the road or when you’re alone in the early hours. This year I’ve really tried to break the mould —and I’ll keep moving forward to bring out more high-quality work.” What’s the next step for you after JUMPER? “JUMPER is an album full of imagination. Conceptually, it’s an extension of the risk-taking theme of my first album Solo Adventure but experiments with new styles and perspectives. The core idea of the ‘jumper’ implies taking things higher and farther, with no limits. “The positive online response to my rapping in Cantonese on The Rap of China 2025 makes me want to continue exploring in that direction. I want to use music to tell stories of the Lingnan region, expose more listeners to Cantonese voices and collaborate with other artists in the Greater Bay Area. I want my creative projects to cross borders and incorporate my interests.” Tell us about the two album singles reengineered for Spatial Audio. “娱乐模范AI Model” “Here, I’ve constructed a fictional AI idol. Picture-perfect, he or she has 72 personalities customisable to the user’s specific preferences. The arrangement and vocal processing gives the human voice a jumpy, mechanical feeling, while the left and right channels are stabbed with synth effects like a data stream to create an eerie, sci-fi atmosphere. By enhancing the tension of the listening experience, the Spatial Audio version is even more immersive.” “Uninvited (feat. ICE楊長青)” “According to online comments, this is my most fully charged trap song. It’s really well-suited to Spatial Audio. Autotune, even at its subtlest, makes a real difference to the vocals. For the chorus, the melody and some of the harmonies were created on the spot in the studio. Sometimes I like to leave in improvised portions to make a track feel freer. Thanks to Spatial Audio technology, I can bring you inside my theatre. I hope that when you listen to this song, you can move freely and unconstrained —and find your most comfortable self.”