In Rotation: Gummy B

Taipei is a city that breathes through its heavy humidity and relentless traffic. Gummy B built his 2022 debut mixtape, ANTAI, around that exact frequency. Named after his street in the Neihu district, he recorded the project in his bedroom and managed to bottle the gray, suffocating reality of his hometown. He gave his city a soundtrack. He isn't just a local secret anymore. The National Taiwan University dropout traded his diploma for a microphone, learned how to pace his breath control on The Rappers Season 2, and walked away as the reality show's runner-up. He joined the Nightfall Limited imprint, took home a Best Live Performance trophy at the 14th Golden Indie Music Awards, and grabbed a Best Hip-Hop Song win a year later. Now, he's staring down dual nominations at the 37th Golden Melody Awards—Best Mandarin Male Singer as the artist Gummy B, and Best Lyricist under his government name, Huang Li-Yao. That exact split identity anchors his October 2025 sophomore album, 更好 (Better). I've had the intro track "DESERVE" looping all week. Co-produced with Sōryo, the beat provides a skeletal foundation for him to unpack his sudden rise. Gummy B steps to the mic wrestling with heavy imposter syndrome. He opens the verse admitting, "I don't know about that, 或許我不值得" (maybe I don't deserve it). As the rhythm locks in, his vocal delivery tightens. He addresses his past directly, rapping that since he is making rap money, he has no use for an NTU degree. He draws a hard line between the confident MC on stage and the self-doubting writer behind closed doors. He uses his pen to process the weight of his own momentum. The curators are paying attention. Apple Music just slotted him into their NOVA and The New Asia playlists, moving his sound well beyond the Taipei city limits. The moment is right now. Hear it down below.