Japanese Dredlocks et al

[lena99]

I got a flyer from a local (tokyo) salon the other day which specialized in dredlocks, braids, and cornrows. Apparently, it's made of yarn and called 'afro kinky'. And the prices were sky high. I had several thoughts at once:

1. Is this a weird appropriation/exploitation of Black culture and should I really care enough to be offended?
2. How much money does this guy who gave me a flyer spend on his hair in a month? His dreds were waist length.
3. Why is he giving the flyer to me? I obviously have 'afro kinky' hair in abundance.
4. I should switch jobs because I would get PAID!

Any thoughts.

[deez nuts]

if you're offended; you're offended. plain and simple.

i wonder if the tokyo salons have a high black clientale or do they just cater to mostly asians wanting to have dreadlocks, braids and cornrows.

[younggiftedandblack]

I got a flyer from a local (tokyo) salon the other day which specialized in dredlocks, braids, and cornrows. Apparently, it's made of yarn and called 'afro kinky'. And the prices were sky high. I had several thoughts at once:

1. Is this a weird appropriation/exploitation of Black culture and should I really care enough to be offended?
2. How much money does this guy who gave me a flyer spend on his hair in a month? His dreds were waist length.
3. Why is he giving the flyer to me? I obviously have 'afro kinky' hair in abundance.
4. I should switch jobs because I would get PAID!

Any thoughts.

I had always found them more amusing when I saw young Japanese kids with the dark skin and afros or dreads. Is it really any different then the white kids in America dressing like hip hop thugs and using Ebonics?

[nonamerasian]

Some non-Blacks look great in dreads (nor are dreads solely a Black thing). Even if in this case it is based on Blacks, why should it be seen as something exclusively for Blacks?

If it looks good, it looks good.

[kitty]

all i know is that the white dreads i see are terrible -- 'cuz it's the crunchy, 'i ain't washed my hair in four months' oily dreads from the unbathed student environmentalists. eeeeeyuck.

[nonamerasian]

I don't like those types of dreads, either. Most of the time. There are some people who look okay in them, but the hair itself still looks a bit ick.

I love the deliberate-looking dreads. Neat.

[lena99]

if you're offended; you're offended. plain and simple.

i wonder if the tokyo salons have a high black clientale or do they just cater to mostly asians wanting to have dreadlocks, braids and cornrows.
I am pretty sure this salon caters to only Japanese clientele. There wouldn't be enough Black customers in Tokyo to justify...outside of a military base.

Some non-Blacks look great in dreads (nor are dreads solely a Black thing). Even if in this case it is based on Blacks, why should it be seen as something exclusively for Blacks?

If it looks good, it looks good.
I don't think dreds have to be exclusive.
I mainly have mine for convenience.
I just can't imagine anyone spending that much money to change their hair.
But I guess it's the same as Black woman who gets a weave and dyes it blonde.

[SunWuKong]

of course it's appropriation. like CSB said, if you're offended, you're offended. but if you're not, you're not.

my personal opinion? open a salon and profit from it.

(i personally don't get offended about appropriation of Asian cultures.)

[lethal]

I saw a Asian guy with huge dreds down to the middle of his back the other day in Philadelphia. I would say he's Japanese, but I couldn't say for sure.

[deez nuts]

I am pretty sure this salon caters to only Japanese clientele. There wouldn't be enough Black customers in Tokyo to justify...outside of a military base.



i didn't realize this was in tokyo. i wasn't reading carefully.

i was more or less wondering along the lines of the salon you speak of here in america since i've seen similar flyers here in the lower east side and upper west side of nyc.

[TB4000]

Like everybody else has said, if you got a skill for it, and a whole new fan base wants them, go right ahead and give them the hook up. You're making more cash, and you're getting yourself out there more.

[kitty]

i'm against cultural appropriation... and in this case it would prolly put me off 'cuz it would seem like people are trying too hard to be black. what would really piss me off though is if they got dreads or other 'black hairstyles' but were still terrified or disgusted by black people and black culture. (i.e., appropriating the bits of the culture you like but not realizing it is a cultural institution as well as a pretty hairstyle).

kinda like people who tattoo chinese words onto their skin... without knowing what it means (or worse, geting it backwards).

[Martino]

i'm against cultural appropriation... and in this case it would prolly put me off 'cuz it would seem like people are trying too hard to be black. what would really piss me off though is if they got dreads or other 'black hairstyles' but were still terrified or disgusted by black people and black culture. (i.e., appropriating the bits of the culture you like but not realizing it is a cultural institution as well as a pretty hairstyle).

kinda like people who tattoo chinese words onto their skin... without knowing what it means (or worse, geting it backwards).

It's far too late to get the toothpaste back in the tube ... I think the 'global' culture is so mixed up and trivialised, you'll get bastardised versions of every kind of cultural motif you can think of now. Hence Brazillian martial arts become the latest exercise fad, fung shui becomes an essential add-on for an interior decorator's CV, and sofa's come decorated in meaningless Chinese-looking symbols. It goes both ways, of course, with Japanese teens dressing and acting like rappers, or wearing dredds, or ... gasp ... adding milk to their cha. No, wait, that last one is probably going too far ...

[robotic]

kinda like people who tattoo chinese words onto their skin... without knowing what it means (or worse, geting it backwards).

but does it offend you because of their presentation of chinese/asian culture?
or is it because of which ethnicity they are from? or the two reasons combined?
would you be less offended if say, a chinese or japanese person had kanji tattooed on their arm?

[>:^|]

It's far too late to get the toothpaste back in the tube ... I think the 'global' culture is so mixed up and trivialised, you'll get bastardised versions of every kind of cultural motif you can think of now.

There's a piece of this that I agree with, and a piece that I'm not sure about.

I dislike it when people appropriate the things of a culture without any respect for the culture itself. And I especially dislike it when I have the feeling that a culture is appropriated because it is the one that seems the most foreign or exotic to the imperialist culture.

When I was in Tokyo, I was surprised at how often I would see kids wearing dreads or clothing with African-American or Jamaican-inspired motifs.

In any event, I wonder how many of us would feel comfortable wearing "ethnic" garb of a culture outside of our own? A qi pao, a sari, a kimono? Would you do it?

[nonamerasian]

In any event, I wonder how many of us would feel comfortable wearing "ethnic" garb of a culture outside of our own? A qi pao, a sari, a kimono? Would you do it?

I would. Like, I'd wear a sari. I think saris are beautiful.

[deez nuts]

In any event, I wonder how many of us would feel comfortable wearing "ethnic" garb of a culture outside of our own? A qi pao, a sari, a kimono? Would you do it?


i saw a black guy in chinatown dressed like bruce leroy with a big jade medallion around his neck. the guy looked like an idiot. was i offended? no. but, i was laughing at him. before, some of you more "sensitive" folks start crying racism, i just as easily laugh at the asian kids in dreads and cornrows too.

but, in the end, it's your call on how you wanna dress. but, it's my call if i wanna look at you and laugh.

as for me, no i wouldn't wear it. chinese or any other culture, except for italian. ;)

[>:^|]

i saw a black guy in chinatown dressed like bruce leroy with a big jade medallion around his neck. the guy looked like an idiot. was i offended? no. but, i was laughing at him. before, some of you more "sensitive" folks start crying racism, i just as easily laugh at the asian kids in dreads and cornrows too.

but, in the end, it's your call on how you wanna dress. but, it's my call if i wanna look at you and laugh.

as for me, no i wouldn't wear it. chinese or any other culture, except for italian. ;)

Oh, don't lie. You're the most sensitive hump toy around.

I don't know that I'm offended by it, exactly. I do find it amusing/annoying/aggravating (at different levels at different times) when I feel somebody is trying to "out-Asian" me or something. Like when you meet annoying White people who want to tell you how much they know about your culture and how they feel Asian themselves, or how they have "Asian sensibilities."

In any event, I'm hoping to hear more of lena99's thoughts.

[kitty]

i agree with >:^|, while global culture does make appropriation and cultural trade an every day thing, it doesn't mean that i have to be comfortable with wanton appropriation of my culture, PARTICULARLY when it's done through ignorance. For a tatoo of a chinese character or kanji, if it's not a person of that culture, why put it in another language? (even if you're racially asian, if you're not culturally asian, you can still be exoticising that culture). like, when britney had something tattooed to her hip in japanese, but had it mis-translated so it didn't make any sense... or when she later had something in hebrew tatted on her but got it down mirrored by accident so it doesn't mean anything in any language.

people who are appropriating another culture because they think it's cool or exotic without any understanding of that culture is where i think appropriation goes wrong. in this case, i think many japanese people are getting dreads because they think it's as cool as white people think asian characters are -- exotic, rebellious even, and a means by which to be different.

i wouldn't wear a sari around someone else's culture, unless i were forced to (as in being taken to a traditional ceremony in which saris were expected). i wouldn't feel right trying to superficially fit in by misappropriating an aspect of someone else's culture. i'd rather assume comfort in my role as an outside observer than pretend to be fitting in.

[nonamerasian]

i wouldn't wear a sari around someone else's culture, unless i were forced to (as in being taken to a traditional ceremony in which saris were expected). i wouldn't feel right trying to superficially fit in by misappropriating an aspect of someone else's culture. i'd rather assume comfort in my role as an outside observer than pretend to be fitting in.

I'd wear a sari, but trying to superficially fit in isn't remotely one of my motives.

Yeah, I don't know the cultural significance of the sari, but I'd wear one for the same reason I'd don a more Western outfit.

Many saris are beautiful.

*shrugs*

[>:^|]

homies, please. it is not as simple as "freedom in choosing how to dress". this warped view of globalization's so-called benefits is what exactly causes dumbass hapas to be born.

love,
prof. frink

I think I need some explication
Or at least a longer explanation.
My ass might be dumb
And I don't understand some
And that just results in frustration.

[lena99]

Oh, don't lie. You're the most sensitive hump toy around.

I don't know that I'm offended by it, exactly. I do find it amusing/annoying/aggravating (at different levels at different times) when I feel somebody is trying to "out-Asian" me or something. Like when you meet annoying White people who want to tell you how much they know about your culture and how they feel Asian themselves, or how they have "Asian sensibilities."

In any event, I'm hoping to hear more of lena99's thoughts.

I guess I should clarify more how I feel.
On a big scale of racism, I really don't rank Japanese kids in dredlocks that high.
Ultimately, its about fashion and fashion is a fickle market anyway.
At the same time, I don't wanna be a judgemental hypocrite, slamming every Japanese kid with dreds-maybe they do know about the culture. And most of the kids with dreds are into either the hiphop or reggae scene and its not like they are not entitled to a Japanese hiphop scene.:)

I had always found them more amusing when I saw young Japanese kids with the dark skin and afros or dreads. Is it really any different then the white kids in America dressing like hip hop thugs and using Ebonics?

It is no different-but to me that is the annoying thing. Frankly, I find it irritating to be spoken to in faux ghetto slang by white people in the US, and its usually white people that do it. I had a salesgirl once, (US) talked to me in some much, I guess it was supposed to be, Ebonics that I didn't have a clue what she was talking about. My problem with alot of the appropriation of 'Black' fashion is that many people think it means that no something about Black people when they do not.

It's far too late to get the toothpaste back in the tube ... I think the 'global' culture is so mixed up and trivialised, you'll get bastardised versions of every kind of cultural motif you can think of now. Hence Brazillian martial arts become the latest exercise fad, fung shui becomes an essential add-on for an interior decorator's CV, and sofa's come decorated in meaningless Chinese-looking symbols. It goes both ways, of course, with Japanese teens dressing and acting like rappers, or wearing dredds, or ... gasp ... adding milk to their cha. No, wait, that last one is probably going too far ...

Actually, I have to say I agree...you can't control the transference of cultural motifs. It's still annoying though. Milk in ocha, however, is vile. I had sweetened macha and milk drink once and I can honestly say it was the worst drink I have ever tried.

[nameless]

My problem with alot of the appropriation of 'Black' fashion is that many people think it means that no something about Black people when they do not.



Yeah, that's also one of my problems concerning cultural appropriation. What I hate more, though, is the half-ass cultural-phile (i.e. "I'll eat/wear/practice such and such cultural thing, but as far as recognizing pass / current racial issues, you're on your own").

[Hiroshi2]

I've seen a couple of japanese girls that looked cute in cornrows.

[Tao]

I've seen a couple of japanese girls that looked cute in cornrows.


really? i find it ridiculous when other colored people get "black" hair styles...it reeks of trying too hard.

[robotic]

i wonder how caucasian people feel about asians being too "westernized" ;_;
because... i would find it acceptable if that certain caucasian person grew up somewhere in asia, or lives there, and tries "being asian".

[Ron]

I don't like it when some ignorant White people meet black people, they start talking to them in Ebonics.

[younggiftedandblack]

really? i find it ridiculous when other colored people get "black" hair styles...it reeks of trying too hard.

See I'm the opposite. I've never felt that one racial group should hold a monopoly on hairstyles or fadish clothing. Now if it's something ceremonial or religious then I can understand being upset.

[Martino]

There's a piece of this that I agree with, and a piece that I'm not sure about.

I dislike it when people appropriate the things of a culture without any respect for the culture itself. And I especially dislike it when I have the feeling that a culture is appropriated because it is the one that seems the most foreign or exotic to the imperialist culture.

When I was in Tokyo, I was surprised at how often I would see kids wearing dreads or clothing with African-American or Jamaican-inspired motifs.

In any event, I wonder how many of us would feel comfortable wearing "ethnic" garb of a culture outside of our own? A qi pao, a sari, a kimono? Would you do it?

I haven't the figure for a chong-sam, but I think we're going to see these sorts of clothing fads, albeit briefly. We've already had Becks starting a mini-craze for that Malay skirt-thing (can't remember what they're called). H&M were selling them. :O(

Can't be any worse that those three-quarter-length trousers men are wearing here though ...

[kitty]

is culture any less important than religion? why the distinction between something of ceremonial significance and something of cultural significance?

nonamer, i agree that saris are pretty. but y'know, if someone wore a chi pao, even if they thought it was cute, i would be upset because -- well... you're wearing it 'cuz you think it's cute, not because you know or care what the cultural significance of the traditional dress is. it's like when madonna appropriates... everything... since when is it okay to turn someone else's culture into the fad of the week? it reeks of using someone else's culture as a disposable fashion statement, to be used and tossed like a tissue.

[kimpossible]

my personal opinion? open a salon and profit from it.


I second this. Kinda like the feng shui haircuts. Wish I had thought of it first.

[Hiroshi2]

really? i find it ridiculous when other colored people get "black" hair styles...it reeks of trying too hard.




Nah, it depends on the individual.




Now I don't think *any* white person would look good in dreads or even cornrows.

Well, maybe if were brunettes, but other than that..............

[deez nuts]

maybe it's just a ny thing; for a brief period time when asians first started wearing cornrows and dreads, there were instances where asian kids were getting beaten up by black kids. it's the same thing when rap music first came out here in ny; there were instances where blacks were beating up the non-blacks that were listening to rap.

i've heard/read stories about these incidents and encountered a couple of these cases in the ER like 5-6 years ago. my friend's younger brother was beaten up for wearing cornrows when it was first becoming popular. i told him not to do it cuz it's just drawing unwanted attention onto himself and plus he looked like an idiot. after the incident, i got a call from my friend asking me to go to his house to see if his brother needed to go to the hospital, they were both pissed off as hell. i told them to chill out and if they're really that pissed off, go to the anime club at a local college and beat up the black kids that were watching anime.

[TB4000]

maybe it's just a ny thing; for a brief period time when asians first started wearing cornrows and dreads, there were instances where asian kids were getting beaten up by black kids. it's the same thing when rap music first came out here in ny; there were instances where blacks were beating up the non-blacks that were listening to rap.

i've heard/read stories about these incidents and encountered a couple of these cases in the ER like 5-6 years ago. my friend's younger brother was beaten up for wearing cornrows when it was first becoming popular. i told him not to do it cuz it's just drawing unwanted attention onto himself and plus he looked like an idiot. after the incident, i got a call from my friend asking me to go to his house to see if his brother needed to go to the hospital, they were both pissed off as hell. i told them to chill out and if they're really that pissed off, go to the anime club at a local college and beat up the black kids that were watching anime.
LOL, the anime beating would be tit for tat, though there's like only a handful of us that are actually all into it like that. Though feel free to whale on yours truly if you have that desire....just keep away from the face, monseiur.

[deez nuts]

LOL, the anime beating would be tit for tat, though there's like only a handful of us that are actually all into it like that. Though feel free to whale on yours truly if you have that desire....just keep away from the face, monseiur.

hahahaha

i don't have the desire to whale on anybody cuz my hands are potentially worth millions at this stage. but, i will keep that in mind and extend you the courtesy to stay away from your face if i ever had the urge to whale on you. but, i'm really a lover not a fighter.

the joke was really meant to calm them down. i couldn't exactly examine the guy with the brother screaming and cursing behind my ears and the other one huffing and puffing with anger while i was examining him.

i would never be serious about condoning acts of violence towards the members of the local college anime club.

[applehead]

i told them to chill out and if they're really that pissed off, go to the anime club at a local college and beat up the black kids that were watching anime.

AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
omg. that's funny.

two of my girlfriends who happens to be korean
went to an african american salon to get braids and dreads.
they both looked really good with their new hairstyles
mainly because they dress the part.
it would look all weird if an asian girl with dreads
walked around in a sweater set and a tweed skirt
with high heels.
it would just look funny.

people commented on their hair, mostly nice things
but they kept getting mistaken for japanese.

[younggiftedandblack]

Click for pics of Japanese Hip Hop Kids. (They were too large to post)

Pic 1 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000368.jpg)

Pic 2 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000376.jpg)

Pic 3 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000366.jpg)

Pic 4 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000373.jpg)

Pic 5 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000384.jpg)

Pic 6 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime10_JPG.jpg)

Pic 7 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime4_JPG.jpg)

[TB4000]

Click for pics of Japanese Hip Hop Kids. (They were too large to post)

Pic 1 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000368.jpg)

Pic 2 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000376.jpg)

Pic 3 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000366.jpg)

Pic 4 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000373.jpg)

Pic 5 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000384.jpg)

Pic 6 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime10_JPG.jpg)

Pic 7 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime4_JPG.jpg)

Nothing says "we've made it" like two asian chicks throwing up westside signs.

[younggiftedandblack]

Nothing says "we've made it" like two asian chicks throwing up westside signs.

:biggrin: I knew you'd be the 1st to respond to those TB!

[nameless]

Japanese Hip Hop Kids...is that a group or something? The people in those pics look Asian American.

[robotic]

Click for pics of Japanese Hip Hop Kids. (They were too large to post)

Pic 1 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000368.jpg)

Pic 2 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000376.jpg)

Pic 3 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000366.jpg)

Pic 4 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000373.jpg)

Pic 5 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000384.jpg)

Pic 6 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime10_JPG.jpg)

Pic 7 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime4_JPG.jpg)

those are rather, um, disturbing.

[younggiftedandblack]

Japanese Hip Hop Kids...is that a group or something? The people in those pics look Asian American.

No those pics were taken in Japan.

is culture any less important than religion? why the distinction between something of ceremonial significance and something of cultural significance?

nonamer, i agree that saris are pretty. but y'know, if someone wore a chi pao, even if they thought it was cute, i would be upset because -- well... you're wearing it 'cuz you think it's cute, not because you know or care what the cultural significance of the traditional dress is. it's like when madonna appropriates... everything... since when is it okay to turn someone else's culture into the fad of the week? it reeks of using someone else's culture as a disposable fashion statement, to be used and tossed like a tissue.

See a chi pao and a FUBU shirt are in two totally different catagories for me. Cornrows, Afros and brand name style of clothing I feel should be worn by anyone who wants to. Like I said before unless it has some religious or ceremonial connection it's all a free for all to me.

It's like some people I hear say that hip hop is just for blacks and rock is just for whites :rolleyes:

[Faithless]

I got a flyer from a local (tokyo) salon the other day which specialized in dredlocks, braids, and cornrows. Apparently, it's made of yarn and called 'afro kinky'. And the prices were sky high. I had several thoughts at once:

1. Is this a weird appropriation/exploitation of Black culture and should I really care enough to be offended?
2. How much money does this guy who gave me a flyer spend on his hair in a month? His dreds were waist length.
3. Why is he giving the flyer to me? I obviously have 'afro kinky' hair in abundance.
4. I should switch jobs because I would get PAID!

Any thoughts.
Talk about your disposable income.

Are the Japanese serious about this? Or is this some comical trend, do you think?

Does the term "afro kinky" irritate more than the appropriation?

It is interesting the seeming dichtomy of a Japanese reserved society, expressing some sort of freedom of expression, though. Sort of like that fad with the "Happy Days cool look". In a weird sort of way, it could be considered sort of an admiration of the style.

I will also agree with trying to cash-in.

[deez nuts]

they look like idiots but the chick in pic number 4 got an ass. so i'll cut her a little slack.

the dude in the black t-shirt where you can only see his arm in pic number 6 is he holding a pink anal butt plug or one of them rabbits?

the black guy in pic number 7 must be getting more yellowtail than at a sashimi buffet.

fat joe says

" Do the Rock-a-way
Now lean back, lean back, lean back, lean back"

uh yeah.

[Hiroshi2]

Click for pics of Japanese Hip Hop Kids. (They were too large to post)

Pic 1 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000368.jpg)

Pic 2 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000376.jpg)

Pic 3 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000366.jpg)

Pic 4 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000373.jpg)

Pic 5 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000384.jpg)

Pic 6 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime10_JPG.jpg)

Pic 7 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime4_JPG.jpg)




The dude in Pic 3 look like a damn fool with those braids. He needs to take those down NOW.

I bet the black dude in pic 7 gets a lot of pussy over there :biggrin:

[Faithless]

The dude in Pic 3 look like a damn fool with those braids. He needs to take those down NOW.
That's I was just wondering -- would most "outsiders" think they look like damn fools. And knowing that, shouldn't they care?
.
I bet the black dude in pic 7 gets a lot of pussy over there :biggrin:
Honestly? I'm thinking he probably plays more comic relief.

[hooligan]

I went to a Japanese hip hop show, it was bomb. Hip Hop isn't race-specific, it's multi-colored. : )

[deez nuts]

I went to a Japanese hip hop show, it was bomb. Hip Hop isn't race-specific, it's multi-colored. : )

i never understood this saying; to my knowledge hip-hop culture started within the black community.

clearly in the pics posted the japanese hip-hop show they are clearly emulating black culture or if you will hip-hop culture which is predominantly seen in black cultures and some even emulate black features i.e. cornrows, dreads etc etc etc.

if hip-hop transcends race and isn't race specific why are they emulating aspects of black feature and black culture? why not just go as themselves? it seems like to me some of these japanese kids, not all of them, are about one step short of putting on black face.

if i were black, i'd call those japanese kids posers or at the very least accuse them of trying way too hard. i'd probably be laughing my ass off at them while tapping the ass of some big booty big titty japanese girl in cornrows wearing an ecko outfit.

i mean wouldn't blacks be somewhat pissed looking at those pictures?

[Hiroshi2]

it is, but there needs to be a time and space for a rightful and reflective recognition of it roots and its politiks, two citations mainstream japanese folk pretty much never do. hip hop is just a trend, just as dreadlocks are, just as half-black babies are.




I like being a trend.

[deez nuts]

I like being a trend.

you should go to japan and milk it for what it's worth.

you probably live, eat and fuck like a king.

rock your limited edition air force one - year of the goat edition white low tops, sean john jeans, a plaid ecko shirt and an enyce racing jacket.

also bring a pair of the g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-unit white low top sneakers too cuz white sneakers get real dirty real fast.

hell, if i was you, i would've booked a trip there already.

[Hiroshi2]

Man I need money for that kind of pussy.


First off, I can't afford all those designer clothes no way (well, maybe if the local malls were having a 50-60% off sale or something). Second, I can't afford that plane ticket (according to my cousin is $1800 roundtrip ticket/ person, btw, with one layover).


What's really funny is I bet all I'd have to do is wear a do-rag or grow my hair out a little bit, and get it braided, and they'd probably they think I was a hardcore MFing thug n*gga LOL. You're right, I could play with that shit. I might even be able to steal girls from white boys over there.

[Faithless]

if i were black, i'd call those japanese kids posers or at the very least accuse them of trying way too hard. i'd probably be laughing my ass off at them while tapping the ass of some big booty big titty japanese girl in cornrows wearing an ecko outfit.

i mean wouldn't blacks be somewhat pissed looking at those pictures?
So, are you saying that the people that are into hiphop for non-poser reasons all dress "normal"?

I thought part of it was the identification, thing.

[Tao]

you should go to japan and milk it for what it's worth.

you probably live, eat and fuck like a king.

rock your limited edition air force one - year of the goat edition white low tops, sean john jeans, a plaid ecko shirt and an enyce racing jacket.

also bring a pair of the g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-unit white low top sneakers too cuz white sneakers get real dirty real fast.

hell, if i was you, i would've booked a trip there already.


fuck man, i'm getting a tan and growing my hair out....g-g-g-g-g-g-unit

[Hiroshi2]

^ U gon hafta get a perm first d00d

[kimpossible]

^ U gon hafta get a perm first d00d

Hah! That's what you think.

[applehead]

growing my hair out....g-g-g-g-g-g-unit

i've been telling you that for the longest time
:biggrin:

[DragonKnight]

Click for pics of Japanese Hip Hop Kids. (They were too large to post)

Pic 1 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000368.jpg)

Pic 2 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000376.jpg)

Pic 3 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000366.jpg)

Pic 4 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000373.jpg)

Pic 5 (http://www.accesseonline.com/galleries/pics/1000384.jpg)

Pic 6 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime10_JPG.jpg)

Pic 7 (http://www.samplekings.com/images/Japan%20web%20photos/images/DjHazime4_JPG.jpg)Hehehe, I saw something like that @ Good Hurt off of Venice. I think Jo, Ben, Sy, and Ken know what I'm talking about. :biggrin:

EDIT:
Oh yeah, head down to downtown Santa Monica. You'll probably see a Japanese hip-hop dance troupe. Kinda interesting to watch. Granted I come from a ethnic background in which you usually get the following stereotyped statement, "Oh you're Filipino...that means you got RHY-thm." :tongue:

[younggiftedandblack]

if i were black, i'd call those japanese kids posers or at the very least accuse them of trying way too hard. i'd probably be laughing my ass off at them while tapping the ass of some big booty big titty japanese girl in cornrows wearing an ecko outfit.

i mean wouldn't blacks be somewhat pissed looking at those pictures?

Well as a black man. I do think some of them tend to take their love or admiration a bit too far at times, but it doesn't piss me off. Bytheway I thought the dude with cornrolls looked pretty ok myself.

[TB4000]

I remember when Jeannette Lee, that pro pool player, got braided up for a little while, and during one of her tourneys the announcer is like, "she got her hair done in Harlem, right in the midst of the inner city," like it was some safari she had gone on.

[Hiroshi2]

Safari? LOL

[deez nuts]

So, are you saying that the people that are into hiphop for non-poser reasons all dress "normal"?

I thought part of it was the identification, thing.


i think in those pics some of those japanese kids are way past the identification part and inching towards the some blacks may find it offensive part.

[Faithless]

I remember when Jeannette Lee, that pro pool player, got braided up for a little while, and during one of her tourneys the announcer is like, "she got her hair done in Harlem, right in the midst of the inner city," like it was some safari she had gone on.
That's a damn shame. Somebody should have called the announcer on that!

[mr. x]

i think in those pics some of those japanese kids are way past the identification part and inching towards the some blacks may find it offensive part.
well the fact that they dont live next door to blacks means hip hop is exotic and therefore "pure"

meaning external factors like racism dont mar their vision of it cuz theres nobody aroudn to be racist to

[deez nuts]

well the fact that they dont live next door to blacks means hip hop is exotic and therefore "pure"

meaning external factors like racism dont mar their vision of it cuz theres nobody aroudn to be racist to


good point.

but, in today's age of information technology of global news and the internet, they're probably offending some blacks here in america.

they offended all of my black co-workers i've showed the pics to; either in disgust in a what the fuck sort of way or flat out laughed at those pics and called them losers. not one of them said, "wow that's great how hip hop culture are bringing together races" or something cross colour'ish slogan of that sort.

[kimpossible]

Lena was offended. Or at least wasn't comfortable with the cultural co-opting. I can definitely see why.

[TB4000]

When you look at those pictures, honestly...it doesn't look like they have an appreciation of african american culture, it just looks like they enjoy the showoffy, buffoonery aspects of it, point blank.

[Mr.Lum]

all i know is that the white dreads i see are terrible -- 'cuz it's the crunchy, 'i ain't washed my hair in four months' oily dreads from the unbathed student environmentalists. eeeeeyuck.

same here. thats how it is with the Asian people I know with them. pretty gross when youve got straight hair. me however, I was blessed with wonderful curly/wavy hair that when it gets too long, even when I wash it, it will kling together and make dreads on their own. my white stoner friends with the dreads stink. when I have them, I smell like Suave. :smile:

[lena99]

When you look at those pictures, honestly...it doesn't look like they have an appreciation of african american culture, it just looks like they enjoy the showoffy, buffoonery aspects of it, point blank.
Exactly. Exactly. Exactly.

good point.

but, in today's age of information technology of global news and the internet, they're probably offending some blacks here in america.

they offended all of my black co-workers i've showed the pics to; either in disgust in a what the fuck sort of way or flat out laughed at those pics and called them losers. not one of them said, "wow that's great how hip hop culture are bringing together races" or something cross colour'ish slogan of that sort.
That's true to. In today's world wide media, they can't really use that excuse.
Even people out in remote Hokkaido, at least see Black people on TV.
Further, you find most of this kind of thing in Tokyo, Okinawa, or places where they actually do see Black people.
BTW there is a unique Japanese hiphop scene, which is uniquely its own, has muscians that are quite good, and can do it without the skin darkening cream, fake afros, etc.

[younggiftedandblack]

That's true to. In today's world wide media, they can't really use that excuse.

Even people out in remote Hokkaido, at least see Black people on TV.
Further, you find most of this kind of thing in Tokyo, Okinawa, or places where they actually do see Black people.

Well see to me that's exactly the problem. Our image is fucked up in most of the media. I bet the only exposure most these kids get of black culture is from BET or MTV.

[Faithless]

When you look at those pictures, honestly...it doesn't look like they have an appreciation of african american culture, it just looks like they enjoy the showoffy, buffoonery aspects of it, point blank.
As in -- as if it were some sort of (halloween) costume?

I can see that.

[mr. x]

well in general i think a lot of people like to point fingers and laugh at the japanese and their fetishes and whatnot cuz to us it just seems silly and like a knockoff of the real thing

[lena99]

well in general i think a lot of people like to point fingers and laugh at the japanese and their fetishes and whatnot cuz to us it just seems silly and like a knockoff of the real thing
You're right.
I try not to accuse just the Japanese.
White, surburban kids in the US do the same thing, and I find it just as annoying.
Moreso, actually.

[mr. x]

i wonder though how some of those kids would feel in an all black hip hop club

im sure some would see it like a pilgrimage to Mecca (no offense to anyone)

but yeah some might feel...weird

[Faithless]

You're right.
I try not to accuse just the Japanese.
White, surburban kids in the US do the same thing, and I find it just as annoying.
Moreso, actually.

I noticed that there is this book -- Fads and Fashion in Japan (http://www.reaktionbooks.co.uk/titles/non_imagefactory.html)

I wonder if they talk about the cornrows thing.
The Image Factory is both an investigation into fads, fashions and style – such as US Army surplus uniforms, ‘pachinko’, mutating hair colours – and an appreciation of their inherent meanings. The Japanese have seized upon fads and fashion as an arm of enterprise to a much greater extent than elsewhere in the world. Ephemerality has been put to work, the transient has become industrialized, and the results are highly conspicuous.
Could the cornrows thing just be an natural outgrowth with Japanese enjoyment of hiphop?

Japan is supposedly an international stop on a lot of worldwide hiphop tours.

[Irezumi Kiss]

As in -- as if it were some sort of (halloween) costume?

I can see that.
EXACTLY!!

If you're the type to wear "urban" clothing on the regular, like say, going to go see your grandmaw dressed in RocaWear from head to toe, then it's all good because you most likely love the style, are comfortable with the way it fits and feels and it you honestly wear it well.

It's not meant to be a costume because it isn't. It's a clothing line for anyone, really. But when you wear it LIKE costume, wearing it just to do something specific like step to a club or showboat at whatever spot that you think its necessary to look like it for — THAT'S when you need to be pimp-slapped upside the squirrel cheeks!

Case in point — there are already plenty of misguided people in Japan (and probably elsewhere as well) who think a basketball UNIFORM is a BLACK PERSON'S COSTUME. Serious as a fucking heart attack, I know of someone, a Black guy, who was asked to dress up in costume for some sort of game show with other people involving "guess where this person comes from" and for his time and trouble he'd get some change in return. Everyone else in the bunch were Asian and they all got different cultural dressings from around the planet but when they stepped to him they gave him an Afro wig and basketball jersey/shorts WITH a basketball to make it complete.

After arguing with the segment producer or whoever trying to get them to see why it so stupid for him to wear that, they finally gave him something else to wear, I think it was a Viking outfit...but their argument was "oh, Japanese people will think it's funny."

That shit I hate seeing and hearing about. Now, shit like that is akin to me wearing a qi pao or cheongsam with a jade medallion around my neck walking into Wo Hop on Mott and expecting to get some dap...

Incidentally, I don't wear much sportsgear outside of track pants, tees and sneakers. Like basketball gear, it looks better on people with some height or if you play it all the time and it looks like it belongs on you.

I do like certain ethnic things that look TASTEFUL on my person, like a guyabera. Those shirts are dope. If you can rock something that looks good on you, I'm all for it. Hairstyles, same thing. I've seen many a Japanese (and other Asian) person with "Black" style that look very beautiful, both men and women alike. Even better is when someone interprets a style and puts their own slant on it, and makes it work.

[Faithless]

Well, I guess hip-hoppers can get even by wearing kimonos to be cool.

[asvenus]

homies, please. it is not as simple as "freedom in choosing how to dress". this warped view of globalization's so-called benefits is what exactly causes dumbass hapas to be born.

love,
prof. frink

HAHAHAHAHA!! you go girl!! (hoping youre a girl!!)...its all about objectification and commodification..how to turn someones 'culture' into something you can make money out of...quite sad and it does end up being really tacky and cringeworthy for the people who are from that culture...i mean im all for mixing and blending bits of cultures together particularly in terms of dress and jewellery but i do think that respect should be accorded to what you are essentially thieving...the only thing that pisses me off really is when people steal a trend from a particular culture and try to pass it off as their own...THAT fucks me off... :mad:

[Irezumi Kiss]

Well, I guess hip-hoppers can get even by wearing kimonos to be cool.
Funny you should say that...they kinda came close!

I dunno if you remember, but about five or so years ago there was a biiiig trend in the "urban/hip-hop" community for guys to wear oversized silk or rayon shirts with Japanese/Chinese characters, dragon motifs, duelling samurais, etc., etc....I can't say if it was big on the West Coast but it was ALL over New York City at the time. I think back then Dru Hill/Sisqo was blowing up the spot and you know how they pimped out the neo-Chinese motif shit to death, so the shirts were just aping the go-around...

I thought they were fucking ridiculous! Why wear a shirt that you probably don't even know what the fuck it says? The fact that nobody's wearing them now is just testament to the fad. And the thing about it was that it was actually the second or third time it came around. I remember the same thing happening in the early mid-80s and if you tramp around eBay for a bit you might be able to find some motif shit from the 70s as well.

I mean, a good design is a good design. Had the shirts been styled nice, you could still rock one now, but since the fad is over, even the kitsch factor can't save 'em! I still should've got one for posterity's sake, but the prices they were asking for one didn't even begin to justify for it...

[Faithless]

Ohhh, what the hell.

If the Japanese can dawn the hip-hop get-up, let hip hoppers dawn ...

The hapi coat!!!

http://www.uky.edu/FineArts/Shozo/assets/hapi1.jpg

[Hayie]

I remember that fad! x__X Urgh, it was so painful walking around and seeing guys with those shirts on. Some of the kanji I recognized, "fire" and "man" next to each other and I think those two were the only ones that had any coherent sense. Most of the time the other graphics on the shirts besides the symbols were what I think were figures from asian folklore...like...hmm, I think one looked like Goku, the Monkey King...but that's what I remember. The ones that stuck out in my mind were the animé derived graphics. It was mostly Rurouni Kenshin's Kenshin in hitokiri battousai-mode some others were I think from video games.
It was pretty prevalent over here in the west coast too. Rrrgh, I remember feeling so pissed off whenever I saw a person with those shirts on, I also remember supressing the urge to fuck with their heads and say, "Hey, did you know the symbols on your shirt say 'I'm a dumbass!'"

...And I remember the times the asian motif fad went around back in the 80s'n 70s, seventies as I think I remember were not just about asian motifs but "ethnic" motifs. Stuff like gaucho pants, kimonos...uh lessee what else...saris I think too. Then the 80s were more centered on asian motifs..I'll have to dig up some of my books on that. Does anybody else remember when anything Polynesian was the fad?

[TB4000]

Though back in the '70's both black and asian cultures seemed to have that mutual respect for each other...nowadays it just doesn't sit right.

[Faithless]

Wonder if the Japanese would consider going back in time and wearing dashikis? :frown:

[Hiroshi2]

Though back in the '70's both black and asian cultures seemed to have that mutual respect for each other...nowadays it just doesn't sit right.







You talking about that "Kung Fu Fighting" shit? Oh please :tongue:





http://oioioi.ru/music/rocksteady/photos/carl_douglas-king_fu_fighting_2-tn.jpg

[deez nuts]

Ohhh, what the hell.

If the Japanese can dawn the hip-hop get-up, let hip hoppers dawn ...

The hapi coat!!!

http://www.uky.edu/FineArts/Shozo/assets/hapi1.jpg


iceberg bought that shit to a whole new level in the late 90's.

You talking about that "Kung Fu Fighting" shit? Oh please :tongue:



hahahaha

i never heard stories from my parent's friends about this mutual respect. they must've missed the train when they got off the boat.

[TB4000]

LOL, well not so much as mutual respect....maybe I mistook it for misrepsentation and misuse...damn me and my optimism.

[mr. x]

LOL, well not so much as mutual respect....maybe I mistook it for misrepsentation and misuse...damn me and my optimism.
well sure there were the LA riots but we still have Rush Hour :rolleyes: