Golden Landis Von Jones, widely recognized by his stage name 24kGoldn, captivated audiences during his debut performance at the Strawberry Music Festival in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on April 20. The 23-year-old singer-songwriter and rapper showcased new tracks from his latest EP, Growing Pains, while also thrilling fans with his chart-topping hits, Rush and Mood.
This young artist has cultivated a significant presence on social media platforms where he has amassed a substantial fan base. During the pandemic, he began engaging with his Chinese fans by sharing his music on Douyin, a popular social media platform in China, including his breakout hit Mood.
"This marks my fourth or fifth visit to China. I've toured many cities across the country. I keep returning because the people here are incredibly supportive and have embraced my music," he expressed. "Given the success of Mood in this region, there was palpable excitement to finally see the face behind the song."
Hailing from San Francisco, 24kGoldn has been releasing music since his time as a business student on a full scholarship at the University of Southern California. His initial hits, Valentino and City of Angels, gained traction, but it was the release of Mood on social media that propelled him into the spotlight.
In earlier interviews, he credited his parents for shaping his musical tastes, exposing him to mainstream hip-hop and pop artists of the 2000s like Kanye West and the Black Eyed Peas, alongside jazz legends such as Miles Davis. His musical journey evolved from rap during middle and high school to embracing rock and alternative genres in late high school and early college.
Following the release of Mood in 2020, 24kGoldn experienced a surge in global popularity, with fans worldwide expressing their adoration for the song and boosting his social media following.
"It truly underscores the power of music. Pursuing my passion has allowed me to travel the world, and I couldn't be more thankful," he remarked. "I've always had a deep love for music. Even as a child, I would drum on pots and pans in the kitchen and sing along to every radio tune. Growing up, I never thought a music career was feasible. It wasn't until the end of high school that I realized I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't pursue my dream," he reflected.
