Brief
Tia Ray headlines Grammy Museum show, marking first for Chinese female singer
The invitation‑only concert featured more than ten songs in Chinese and English and included a duet with Bren Joy.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Chinese R&B vocalist‑songwriter Tia Ray headlined an invitation‑only concert titled “An Evening with Tia Ray” at the Grammy Museum on Oct. 6, becoming the first Chinese female singer to do so, Billboard reported.
What happened
The event, limited to industry professionals, featured a set of over ten of Ray’s signature tracks in both Chinese and English, such as “Love Herby,” “That Girl, Ah Chu,” “Beautiful Day,” and “Pressure.” A special guest, American singer‑songwriter Bren Joy, joined Ray for a duet of “This Is Love.” Grammy‑winning producer Paul E. Phamous, who co‑produced Ray’s song “Complicated,” served as host. The performance concluded with a prolonged standing ovation from the audience.
What the reports add
Billboard noted that Ray’s English‑language album “NEW DAY,” released earlier in the year, was followed by an international tour covering six cities across three continents. The museum’s history of hosting global stars such as Taylor Swift, Adele, Ryuichi Sakamoto and ROSÉ was highlighted to underscore the significance of Ray’s appearance. A veteran music critic quoted in the article said Ray’s show demonstrated that Chinese‑language music is now being evaluated within the same professional framework as Western pop.
What was said
Billboard quoted the critic: “Chinese‑language music is no longer simply a regional label; it is being heard with serious attention and assessed within the same professional framework.” The article also referenced Paul E. Phamous’s role as host but did not include direct quotes from him.
How it came about
Ray’s rising international profile, bolstered by accolades such as Billboard’s Women in Music Global Force Award and her appearance on IFPI’s Global Digital Singles Chart, set the stage for the Grammy Museum invitation. Her repeated performances at SXSW since 2025 and cultural exchanges at universities abroad have further increased her visibility, leading to the historic museum show.
Key facts
- Tia Ray headlined a Grammy Museum concert on Oct. 6, becoming the first Chinese female singer to do so. (billboard.com)
- The set included more than ten songs in Chinese and English, with a duet featuring Bren Joy. (billboard.com)
- Grammy winner Paul E. Phamous hosted the invitation‑only event. (billboard.com)
- Ray released the English‑language album NEW DAY earlier in 2026 and embarked on a six‑city tour across three continents. (billboard.com)
Sources
- [1] billboard.com — originally reported as “Tia Ray Becomes First Chinese Female Singer to Headline Grammy Museum Show”
