Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung says his income has dropped sharply in recent years

Cantopop singer Jacky Cheung set a Guinness World Record in 2012 for the largest combined audience for a live act in 12 months. Photo: Handout

Cantopop singer Jacky Cheung, dubbed the “God of Songs”, revealed in a radio programme that his income has dropped sharply in recent years.

According to the 61-year-old artiste, the market has been “unstable for quite awhile now” and his income isn’t as stable as before.

Regarding this matter, Cheung explained: “It’s like making a movie. If you shoot a few films a year, then the approximate income is clear. I will know how much the income is.”

The singer added that he initially planned on holding more concerts. However, the pandemic had put his plans to an abrupt halt.

Cheung also recounted his early years as a singer. He said that his income was “at its most unstable” during that period of time.

“Since my income from singing was unstable at the beginning, I could only rely on films to help me. It was my main source of income for a while.

“Later on, there were more opportunities for me to hold concerts and singing became my main source of income,” he said, adding that he only starred in movies and television series if he had free time.

When asked by the radio host if he was interested in renting out his properties to fill up the current income gap, Cheung firmly rejected the suggestion.

“Renting out a house is troublesome because you are responsible for many things like water leakages, sewer pipe failures and any damages caused by strong typhoons.

“All the properties I own now including my houses, offices and warehouses are for my own use,” he elaborated.

Cheung’s last tour was A Classic Tour which began in October 2016 and ended in January 2019.

In 2012, he set the Guinness World Record for the largest combined audience for a live act in 12 months with his Jacky Cheung 1/2 Century World Tour – which came up to an attendance of more than two million people.