Hong Kong — June 12, 2025 — Chinese pop sensation G.E.M. (Gloria Tang), often compared to Taylor Swift for her fierce independence and self-written music, has re-released 12 of her past hits in a new album titled I AM GLORIA. The album, now available on global streaming platforms, features newly re-recorded versions of her early chart-toppers such as “泡沫 (Bubble),” “A.I.N.Y. 愛你,” “光年之外 (Light Years Away),” and “我的秘密 (My Secret).”
This milestone follows a protracted legal battle with her former management company, Hummingbird Music, which G.E.M. unilaterally terminated in 2019. She alleges that she has not received any royalties from her original works in the six years since, despite widespread plays on streaming and broadcast platforms.
In 2024, Hummingbird issued a statement claiming exclusive rights to 103 of G.E.M.’s songs, prompting her legal team to explore statutory re-recording rights. Under Article 42 of China’s Copyright Law, if no recording restrictions are explicitly stated at first release, works may be lawfully re-recorded with payment of statutory fees. G.E.M.’s team found this applied to the majority of her discography.
Thanks to the protection of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (CASH), G.E.M. retains public performance and broadcasting rights for her works. She expressed deep gratitude, stating, “No matter the ownership dispute, the right to perform and share my music with the world remains with me.”
Signed at age 15 with Hummingbird via a contract negotiated by her mother—who wasn’t fluent in English—G.E.M. later discovered that the terms did not grant her ownership of her songwriting copyrights. “It wasn’t until much later I learned that my copyrights weren’t mine,” she said.
By re-recording her works, G.E.M. is not only regaining control but also reconnecting with the music she considers her ‘children.’ Her story mirrors Taylor Swift’s re-recording saga, adding a powerful chapter to Asia’s evolving music rights landscape.
