Ai Makes Musical Debut

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei branched out into music last week when he released a video featuring heavy metal and himself making all sorts of trouble for his government.

The video, entitled “Dumbass,” is about the 81 days Ai spent in jail after being arrested in 2011 for tax issues. The Mandarin lyrics contain heaps of profanity, so even beyond its subject the language guarantees that it will be blocked in China by the authorities, according to the Los Angeles Times.

However, it’s available on Ai’s website and can be downloaded via iTunes.

Renowned Hong Kong-based cinematographer Christopher Doyle shot the video, and the song was composed by Ai and fellow artist Zuoxiao Zuzhou.

It will be a cut on Ai’s upcoming album, The Divine Comedy, set for release at the end of June. It’s not just the lyrics that are explicit.

The video depicts Ai’s ordeal, in which he was closely watched by two prison guards for the full length of his detention. It also shows him having his head shaved and dressing up as a woman.

Actually, the video isn’t Ai’s first foray into pop. Last year he created his own version of Psy’s international hit “Gangnam Style.”