Lay’s Solo Hits in China: A Complete List

Lay Zhang, also known by his Chinese name Zhang Yixing, has built one of the most recognizable solo careers connected to EXO. His music combines Mandarin pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic production, traditional Chinese imagery, and performance-led choreography. That blend has made his solo discography distinctive within both K-pop and C-pop.

His biggest songs in China come from several distinct eras, beginning with the 2016 Lose Control release and continuing through the SHEEP, NAMANANA, LIT, and Producer projects. The list below focuses on the solo tracks most closely associated with his public impact, live performances, music videos, and fan culture.

The first solo era with Lose Control

Lay’s first major solo chapter began with the 2016 mini-album Lose Control. The title track presented a more intimate and restrained side of his artistry, built around a polished electronic R&B sound rather than the larger group arrangements associated with EXO. Its Chinese-language focus also established his direction as a Mandarin soloist.

The release included several songs that remain important to his early catalog. “what U need?” showed a lighter, romantic style, while “Monodrama” became one of the project’s most emotionally direct songs. “MYM” and “Relax” completed the core track list and helped define the sound of his first solo period.

“Lose Control” is the essential starting point for anyone exploring Lay’s Chinese music career. It introduced his songwriting interests, vocal color, and preference for connecting visual storytelling with personal themes.

Breakthrough songs from the Sheep period

The 2017 album SHEEP expanded Lay’s sound and image. Its title track, “Sheep,” is one of his signature solo hits, using a bold hip-hop foundation, repeated chants, and highly recognizable choreography. The song became particularly important in his concert repertoire and helped establish a stronger performance identity.

“ I Need U” offered a more melodic contrast, while “Give Me a Chance” leaned into smooth pop and R&B. “Peaches” became another fan favorite through its relaxed mood and memorable presentation. Tracks such as “Boss,” “Mask,” “Too Much,” “Lay U Down,” and “Xback” also contributed to the album’s broad appeal.

The SHEEP era marked a clear shift from introducing Lay as a solo singer to presenting him as a complete creative performer. His music videos, stage styling, dance breaks, and involvement in production all became part of the release’s appeal.

Namanana and the expansion of his C-pop identity

With NAMANANA in 2018, Lay developed a more ambitious crossover sound. The album included Mandarin and English material, and its title track combined pop, trap, and electronic elements. “Namanana” remains one of his most recognizable songs because of its energetic chorus and elaborate performance concept.

“Give Me A Chance” is another central track from this era. It appeared in English and helped connect Lay’s Chinese solo work with international listeners. The song’s polished production and accessible hook made it a frequent entry point for fans discovering his solo discography after following EXO.

The NAMANANA project also showed how Lay could move between domestic Chinese releases and a global-facing pop strategy. Its songs are frequently discussed alongside his later work because they helped bridge his early solo sound with the more conceptual music that followed.

Lit, Jade, and a more traditional visual language

The 2020 project LIT introduced one of Lay’s most distinctive artistic concepts. The title song, “Lit,” used imagery connected to Chinese history, mythology, calligraphy, and traditional performance. Its production fused modern hip-hop with sounds and symbols drawn from Chinese culture, giving the track a ceremonial scale.

“Jade,” often presented in Chinese as “玉,” continued that concept through a smoother and more atmospheric sound. The song’s visual world emphasized precious materials, heritage, and transformation. Together, “Lit” and “Jade” became closely linked in fan discussions because they represent two parts of the same creative statement.

Lay’s interest in cultural symbolism can also be viewed alongside EXO’s broader storytelling traditions. Fans who enjoy tracing recurring imagery across music videos may find useful context in EXO’s interconnected videos, especially when comparing group-era mythology with Lay’s individual visual language.

The complete hit list by era

The following list covers Lay’s principal Mandarin solo hits, lead singles, and signature tracks that are most relevant to his China-focused music career. It includes songs that became central to an album era, gained strong fan recognition, or remained important in concerts and official performance content.

Era or release	Song	Why it matters
Lose Control (2016)	“Lose Control”	Debut solo title track and defining early R&B release
Lose Control (2016)	“what U need?”	Bright, accessible pop-R&B single
Lose Control (2016)	“Monodrama”	Emotional Mandarin track with lasting fan recognition
SHEEP (2017)	“Sheep”	Breakthrough performance song and signature hit
SHEEP (2017)	“I Need U”	Melodic centerpiece with a softer mood
SHEEP (2017)	“Give Me a Chance”	Smooth crossover track released in English
SHEEP (2017)	“Peaches”	Relaxed, stylish fan favorite
SHEEP (2017)	“Boss”	High-energy hip-hop performance track
NAMANANA (2018)	“Namanana”	Major title track blending pop, trap, and EDM
NAMANANA (2018)	“Give Me a Chance”	International-facing English single
LIT (2020)	“Lit”	Cultural concept track with traditional Chinese imagery
LIT (2020)	“Jade”	Atmospheric companion piece to “Lit”
Producer (2021)	“Flying Apsaras”	Mythic, cinematic song rooted in Chinese visual culture
Producer (2021)	“Veil”	Dramatic electronic track with a darker tone
Producer (2021)	“Boom”	Energetic dance-focused release
Producer (2021)	“Samadhi Real Fire”	Experimental track reflecting his spiritual imagery
Single era	“Call My Name”	Romantic pop single with a direct vocal focus
Single era	“蹦沙卡拉卡”	Playful, highly performative Chinese-language track
Later solo work	“Right There”	Sleeker contemporary pop song for his international audience
STEP era	“Step”	Dance-driven track representing his continuing evolution

Producer and the next stage of his sound

The 2021 album Producer continued Lay’s interest in combining modern production with Chinese cultural references. “Flying Apsaras” drew attention through its cinematic atmosphere and imagery inspired by the famous flying figures associated with Dunhuang art. It is one of the clearest examples of his effort to make heritage part of a contemporary pop format.

“Veil” and “Samadhi Real Fire” explored darker, more electronic territory, while “Boom” favored an immediate dance-pop impact. These songs demonstrated that Lay’s identity was not limited to one type of Chinese-inspired concept. He could move from elegant and historical visuals to club-oriented production without losing his recognizable performance style.

This period also strengthened his role as a producer and creative director. His solo music increasingly felt like a connected body of work, with recurring ideas about ambition, transformation, self-discipline, and cultural confidence.

Later singles and the Step era

After the major album cycles, Lay continued releasing individual songs that broadened his catalog. “Call My Name” highlighted his romantic and vocal side, while “蹦沙卡拉卡” emphasized rhythm, movement, and a playful stage presence. “Right There” offered a more contemporary pop sound and reflected his interest in reaching listeners beyond the Mandarin market.

The STEP era carried that progression forward with a more dance-oriented approach. “Step” represents the continuing development of Lay’s solo identity: polished, performance-centered, and designed to work equally well as a streaming track, music video, or live stage. It belongs to the later chapter of his career, but it still connects with the confident movement and visual storytelling found in earlier releases.

Because Lay often works across albums, singles, collaborations, and special performances, fans may encounter alternate versions or different romanizations of the same song. Chinese titles can also appear in simplified characters, translated names, or official English stylings depending on the platform.

Essential tracks for a Lay Zhang playlist

For listeners who want a balanced introduction rather than every album track, these songs provide a useful path through his development:

• Start with “Lose Control” and “what U need?” for his early R&B-influenced sound.
• Add “Sheep,” “Boss,” and “Give Me a Chance” to hear his breakthrough performance style.
• Move to “Namanana” for his most accessible electronic pop era.
• Pair “Lit” with “Jade” to experience his traditional Chinese visual concept.
• Finish with “Flying Apsaras,” “Veil,” “Boom,” and “Step” for his later production and stage-focused work.

Lay’s solo hits in China form a catalog that keeps changing shape while retaining several defining qualities: strong choreography, ambitious visuals, Mandarin-language storytelling, and a close relationship between music and cultural imagery. Explore the songs in chronological order, then revisit the videos and live stages to see how each era adds another layer to Lay Zhang’s artistic story.