100 million views: why China’s viral AI rap track has struck a chord

An AI-generated Chinese rap song featuring some of the country’s most well-known historical figures has taken social media by storm.Titled “The One Who’s Been There” (Guo Lai Ren), the track crossed 100 million views across platforms in less than two weeks as it tapped into the anxieties of modern life.The song brings together 10 iconic figures from Chinese history and mythology – from revered poets and statesmen to the legendary Monkey King. Rather than reciting classical verses or lecturing audiences, they rap about their own historical hardships to offer empathy, solace and encouragement to today’s burnt-out world.