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Wu has a loyal fanbase, and his songs such as I Can't Sit Sadly By Your Side and You Know Where the East Is are mainly popular among his diehard fans. Some of Wu's songs "make people feel scared, while others make you laugh", says Shen.

Wu is also known for being a contemporary artist, poet and sound track composer. In 2006, he worked with film director Jia Zhangke on his movie, The World, and the two became good friends. In 2012, Wu also wrote the soundtrack for director Gu Changwei's film, Love for Life, which starred actress Zhang Ziyi and HongKong star Aaron Kwok.

One of Wu's diehard fans, writer Han Han, wrote lyrics for Wu's new song, Pacific Breeze. Wu's songs are "humorous, sentimental and downtoearth", Han wrote on his micro blog.

Wu attributes his unique style to his upbringing. He was raised in the small town of Jianhu in Jiangsu province. He joined the army and later went to Shanghai, where he sold smuggled tape cassettes.

Wu says his music, artwork and novels are based on the lives of real people in China's cities and suburbs. Wu moved to Beijing in 1993 and founded the art group Beijing East Village with some other avantgarde artists.

Early in his career, Wu played with a rock band named No. The group shocked people with their unique sound, explosive vocals and disordered guitar chords.

Wu, who is now a father, says his style has mellowed a bit after 20 years of making rock music.

"Some things about me have changed, but other things haven't. One thing that has changed about me is that I gained some weight," Wu says, pointing to his belly.

"Both music and contemporary art function differently for people," he adds. "For me, music serves as raw material and a way to make a good living."