Tao has dropped his EXO shell and is set to release a mini music album. The lead-rapper of Chinese-Korean idol group is making his solo debut on July 23 in China, with this album.       

"7.23 Huang Z.Tao will officially be making a comeback as a solo artist with his first mini album. Please look forward to it," Tao's official rep. posted on his official Weibo account, Soompi reported. Also, a poster was released, which features Tao wearing a black, fur coat, and sporting deep purple hair. He is seen standing in front of the turnnel that is featured in the teaser poster.

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Meanwhile, SM Entertainment, the management agency that formed EXO group, has yet to comment on Tao's new solo release. And, Tao, 22, has been undertaking a series of solo activities in China, without revealing whether he continues to be part of EXO or has parted ways with the group. He was recently removed from the official Facebook page of EXO-M and also was not included in the activities to promote the new repackaged album, "Love Me Right." In addition, he did not participate in the recording of the four new songs for the new album.

On June 03, when "Love Me Right" was released in Korea, Tao, whose real name is Huang Zitao, was attending an event in Beijing, China, to promote a Chinese mobile game. In addition to this Chinese mobile game, he has also bagged a solo endorsement deal for a popular snack brand in China.

Soon after the news broke about Tao's new music album teaser, his EXO-mate Chanyeol unfollowed him on Instagram. Tao retaliated soon, unfollowing all the six people that he was following on his account, including Chanyeol, Sehun, Lay, Baekhyun, Luhan, and Dynamic Duo's Gaeko. He is now following zero accounts on Instagram.

Tao is set to appear as a music teacher on the third season of Chinese children program, "Let's Sing Kids." This announcement has also got mired in controversy. Hunan TV, the channel on which the show airs, earlier hinted that Lay has been roped in as the music teacher. On July 11, it announced on Weibo that Tao has given his nod to become the fourth teacher on "Let's Sing Kids," according to Korea Boo.

TagsTao, Tao music album, EXO, EXO Tao, Tao solo album, Tao Quits EXO