An Asian 2Pac

[unemployable]

I've got a CD of the ABC rapper Jin, and I like how he articulates his words. Naturally, since he's an ABC he doesn't speak none of that pigeon English, but I find that the subject matter seems relatively soft compared to the legendary 2Pac or that white boy Eminem. In these raps you could feel the anger, but with Jin it's not really there. I've heard other Asian rappers whose names I forget and they're basically the same.

Are there any good, hardcore, AA rappers that can bring it?

[eos]

why is this in the rant section?

[unemployable]

why is this in the rant section?

I'm ranting on the fact that all the Asian rappers that I hear are weak. None of them are anywhere near the level that 2Pac was.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

Snacky Chan makes Jin look like the Beastie Boys.

And most black rappers aren't anywhere near 2Pac's level.

[eos]

check this thread out:

http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=32829

[unemployable]

Tanks Akane21. You're a bad mama jama.

[AngryABCGirl]

This thread should probably be merged with the other thread- but I think people, Asians and non-Asians aren't ready to accept an Asian Tupac, because there are lots of underground Asian rappers out there in the hood, but people are barely warming up to someone like Jin.

[Golden Monkey]

This thread should probably be merged with the other thread- but I think people, Asians and non-Asians aren't ready to accept an Asian Tupac, because there are lots of underground Asian rappers out there in the hood, but people are barely warming up to someone like Jin.

Maybe he needs to be murdered first.

Some people become more popular after death. Che, Nietzsche and Jesus to name three.

[popculturepooka]

An Asian Tupac. LOL

If rappers like Immortal Technique, AZ, Chino XL, Rass Kass, Royce da 5'9", Pharoah Monche, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Sage Francis etc. aren't getting anymore mainstream and popular. An Asian rapper has an even harder time (or easier depending on how you look at it).

I think ABC hit it right on the head.

I haven't heard an Asian rapper on their level yet. Is there? I'll admit I'm not that well-versed on the subject. Closest I have heard of is Snacky Chan and Mike Shinoda.

[AngryABCGirl]

My favorite hip hop act by far Asian and non-Asian is Far East Movement. I think they're older tracks are better than the new ones, a lot rawer content.

I think Blue Collar Blues, Western, No One's Home for the Holidays, Hunger Strike, and Food Fight are some of the best tracks on this page:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=53862

Smile is a very good track too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAUtvZfbOkc

Food Fight with Jin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5u0k2-BcZg

I also really like Get Offa Me, Eyes Never Lie, Smile, For the City on the Folk Music Album


Anyway this short documentary also makes a lot of good points about Asians not supporting Asians in the industry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CskdEUADRQ

[AngryABCGirl]

Also this site with some links:

http://www.asiaticempire.org/index3.htm

I've seen some of the artists live. Some are great. Some not so great, but a nice listing.

[unemployable]

Food Fight with Jin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5u0k2-BcZg


See, this is what I'm talking about. The sound is alright, but the content is too soft and silly. When was the last time you heard 2Pac rap about cafeteria food.

[popculturepooka]

See, this is what I'm talking about. The sound is alright, but the content is too soft and silly. When was the last time you heard 2Pac rap about cafeteria food.

Last time I checked Jin hasn't been through the same experiences as Tupac.

I don't want Jin to talk about the stuff Tupac did -- partly because then he'd sound fake. Rap about stuff HE knows, that's what keeping it "real" is.

And unless I'm mistaken, the whole song is one big ass metaphor.

[unemployable]

Last time I checked Jin hasn't been through the same experiences as Tupac.

I don't want Jin to talk about the stuff Tupac did -- partly because then he'd sound fake. Rap about stuff HE knows, that's what keeping it "real" is.

And unless I'm mistaken, the whole song is one big ass metaphor.


I don't want Jin to change his style, because he's pretty much already established his persona. I was asking if there was anyone out there that's not like him.

What do you think the song is a metaphor for.

[AngryABCGirl]

See, this is what I'm talking about. The sound is alright, but the content is too soft and silly. When was the last time you heard 2Pac rap about cafeteria food.

Um, it's actually criticizing the music industry, which is actually pretty clever.

Honesty I think Tupac, while a prolific and talented artist, might not have achieved this level of fame without death and would not be the bar for every hip hop artist.

That being said, I wouldn't say Jin is fully representative of Asian artists or the community in general by any means, he's just the one artist whose managed to achieve a certain amount of fame by a mainstream venue.

Also what's the point of Asians trying to be like other artists, Black of White? Shouldn't we try to carve out our own space and style?

[unemployable]

Um, it's actually criticizing the music industry, which is actually pretty clever.

Honesty I think Tupac, while a prolific and talented artist, might not have achieved this level of fame without death and would not be the bar for every hip hop artist.

That being said, I wouldn't say Jin is fully representative of Asian artists or the community in general by any means, he's just the one artist whose managed to achieve a certain amount of fame by a mainstream venue.

Also what's the point of Asians trying to be like other artists, Black of White? Shouldn't we try to carve out our own space and style?

How is it a metaphor for the music industry. And what makes it clever?

Clever is not gangsta.

The black people have Tupac, and countless others. White people have Eminem. What the shit do we have? Some clever nerd?

[monkeygone2]

How is it a metaphor for the music industry.

you thought it was an ode to a cafeteria?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWmKH0rXG7A

The black people have Tupac, and countless others. White people have Eminem. What the shit do we have? Some clever nerd?

oh, you mean you're looking for a 'tough guy' persona? is that what this is about?
the only person eminem would threaten face to face is...... moby.

[tripostrophe]

you thought it was an ode to a cafeteria?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWmKH0rXG7A



oh, you mean you're looking for a 'tough guy' persona? is that what this is about?
the only person eminem would threaten face to face is...... moby.

and he couldn't handle the wrath of a cigar-smoking rottweiler handpuppet, am i right?

And I really don't think we need any more rappers running the trail that pioneers like P. Diddy and 50 Cent have blazed.

One group that might fit your expectations however: http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/boo_yaa_tribe/artist.jhtml#bio

[tripostrophe]

Um, it's actually criticizing the music industry, which is actually pretty clever.

Honesty I think Tupac, while a prolific and talented artist, might not have achieved this level of fame without death and would not be the bar for every hip hop artist.

That being said, I wouldn't say Jin is fully representative of Asian artists or the community in general by any means, he's just the one artist whose managed to achieve a certain amount of fame by a mainstream venue.

Also what's the point of Asians trying to be like other artists, Black of White? Shouldn't we try to carve out our own space and style?

Huh I'm not usually like this but I never took the time to listen to the lyrics...it's a pretty nice song though. And uh, I'll admit I'm not as well versed in Tupac as I should be, but...anyone else think Nas > Tupac? Obviously Nas has had more time to grow and progress in every way, but yeah. Just my opinion.

[smorgasbord]

I've got a CD of the ABC rapper Jin, and I like how he articulates his words. Naturally, since he's an ABC he doesn't speak none of that pigeon English, but I find that the subject matter seems relatively soft compared to the legendary 2Pac or that white boy Eminem. In these raps you could feel the anger, but with Jin it's not really there. I've heard other Asian rappers whose names I forget and they're basically the same.

Are there any good, hardcore, AA rappers that can bring it?

check out Bambu and Kiwi (formerly the Native Guns duo), Geologic/Prometheus Brown (of Blue Scholars), and Koba. on subject matter, most hip-hop doesn't even come close to these guys. Bambu's "Chairman Mao" = best song ever.

Bambu's video for Pull It Back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0PispXSUaM

Bambu performing Chairman Mao live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cdQoq2fsZ0

Blue Scholars' video for Back Home:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En8DwCeKa6M

take your time:
http://www.myspace.com/bambumusic
http://www.myspace.com/kiwi
http://www.myspace.com/nativeguns
http://www.myspace.com/bluescholars
http://www.myspace.com/probrown
http://www.myspace.com/modelminority

[AngryABCGirl]

How is it a metaphor for the music industry. And what makes it clever?

Clever is not gangsta.

The black people have Tupac, and countless others. White people have Eminem. What the shit do we have? Some clever nerd?

All the comments about (music) industry grease and MCs? Record industry serving mystery meat? Same CD week after week?

Did you not listen to any of the other tracks or links I put out there? Download Far East Movement's Blue Collar Blues (where FM talks about being poor and how the government doesn't care about the who can't vote?) or watch the Smile video, they also rap about the police in Get Offa Me. Or listen to the links on the Asian Hip Hop summit.

There's more to life than being gangsta. Why are you measuring Asian American rappers (or yourself for that matter) with that and only Jin for that matter? There are people who are gangsta because they're criminals. Then they're people who are considered "gangsta" because they act like ones. I'm kinda not into either. You can be seen as tough and confident without those elements.

Also, being clever is what really gets you ahead in your life. I'm really sad you didn't understand the song. I think in the future I see Jin more and more as a political rapper than anything else. And I'd rather have a political rapper and a positive role model that encourages productive things in society like going out to vote for a progressive candidate more than some bling bling gangsta.

Hell I find a kind whose clever with his words and smart like that helluva lot more attractive than some cocky gangsta or wannabe gangsta, and I was around enough those types growing up in LA to hate them now.

For the record though, there are a lot of really gangsta rappers out there rapping in Hmong and Cambodian about life being tough on the street. I really love Native Guns (so many great Filipino hip hop acts out there) and Nostalgic Progression too. Look em up.

[tripostrophe]

I had an opportunity to see the Blue Scholars live, but I passed on it...kind of regret it now that I've listened to Bayani. Some pretty good stuff on there. Recommended.

check out Bambu and Kiwi (formerly the Native Guns duo), Geologic/Prometheus Brown (of Blue Scholars), and Koba. on subject matter, most hip-hop doesn't even come close to these guys. Bambu's "Chairman Mao" = best song ever.

Bambu's video for Pull It Back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0PispXSUaM

Bambu performing Chairman Mao live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cdQoq2fsZ0

Blue Scholars' video for Back Home:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En8DwCeKa6M

take your time:
http://www.myspace.com/bambumusic
http://www.myspace.com/kiwi
http://www.myspace.com/nativeguns
http://www.myspace.com/bluescholars
http://www.myspace.com/probrown
http://www.myspace.com/modelminority

[tripostrophe]

How is it a metaphor for the music industry. And what makes it clever?

Clever is not gangsta.

The black people have Tupac, and countless others. White people have Eminem. What the shit do we have? Some clever nerd?

Lol. Okay, so I just listened to the song again, a bit more closely. Right in the beginning they explicitly compare the industry to a cafeteria with the line "stuck in this cafeteria they call the industry" (0:34), and they make some more explicit comparisons between bad food and the crap that the music industry is putting out later on.

Okay, the sound quality isn't all that great but with most rappers, they aren't going to get too deep and symbolic with their metaphors and all, unless they're someone like Sage Francis who also does slam poetry.

[JesusIsmyFriend]

Isn't Jin compared more to Eminem? probably because of his voice.

[warcry111]

Honesty I think Tupac, while a prolific and talented artist, might not have achieved this level of fame without death and would not be the bar for every hip hop artist.

That's what I think sometimes too. If everybody really loved Tupac that much and claimed to have been an avid fan of early to mid 90's rap, I'm pretty sure they would have heard of the dozens of disses against Tupac by non-West Coast rappers who only several years ago were still mainstream (of course the disses were all done during the early-mid 90's West Coast-East Coast feud but still, big ones like Jay-Z, Nas, and Mobb Deep had all made disses against Pac when he was alive). IIRC, Pac never made peace with Jay-Z and Mobb Deep during the time Pac still lived.



Back to the thread topic, if we really want an Asian version of Tupac, we need a real gangsta from real hoods in places like Richmond, Oakland, South Central LA, Eastside Long Beach, etc. Most likely, he'll probably be Cambodian or Laotian or, to a lesser extent, Vietnamese. Besides the race thing and the stereotypes that an Asian rapper has to deal with, the criteria for popular hip-hop music today is much different than it was during Pac's time in the early-mid 90's. Gangsta rap was mainstream and dominated the charts in the early-mid 90's and we all know about the West Coast-East Coast feud thing. Pac was mostly a gangsta rapper, at least after he joined Death Row (before that, most of his stuff was about "thugs" - really more like a politically defiant black person going against the injustices committed by white America, which is more general than "gangsta"). His death was mostly the result of being involved in gangsta politics despite the dozens of theories that try to explain Tupac's death (the dumbest one being that Pac faked his death and is still alive today making music from an unknown studio); his signing to Death Row Records, which housed arguably the most popular rappers of the time (Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Kurupt, etc.), his good relations with Suge Knight (Mob Piru Bloods), his hiring Blood bodyguards, and his final end by a Southside Crip gangsta from Compton (with support from Biggie who paid the Crips to do it).

In contrast, most of mainstream hip-hop as of recent is dominated by the Dirty South and Midwest rappers and their subjects are relatively "tame" (mostly about sex, being materialistic, and partying/clubbing ) relative to the hardcore West Coast/LA stuff of the early-mid 90's. What I'm afraid is that the Asian rapper not only has to encounter the stereotypes and the negativity that every Asian (especially male) has to encounter when trying to enter big-time showbiz, but he also has to be the man who changes the entire direction of hip-hop back into the gangsta stuff of the early mid-90's and most people, especially blacks, probably can't accept such a big role given to an Asian. You know, the ugly race-politics of America. Else, if we just want a popular Asian rapper, he can start rapping about sex and partying/clubbing, areas which us Asian men have been heavily stereotyped (and wrongly) as lacking in, and areas which we might have huge trouble destroying.

[Chad]

man i disapprove
sorry
but this is out of control. there is nothing positive about gang life. it does not benefit any race. i wish all gangsters would disappear. the ones at the bottom maybe can be reformed. we need some kind of dictator to get rid of all mafia and gangs.

[n3bulous]

Q: Asian 2Pac?

A: TightEyez

http://www.jizo-entertainment.com/interviews/TightEyez_Khmer_Rapper_Interview.htm

http://www.myspace.com/tighteyez

[warcry111]

Wow. He even sounds like Tupac too. Nice stuff, man.

[raacluse]

Here's a guy who needs a job.

http://www.sfweekly.com/2007-08-01/news/enter-the-dragon-head/

He sez he's no longer living the gangster life, but he's driving an armored Benz.

Don't know how he flows, but maybe you can teach him the ropes...:wink:

[deez nuts]

2pac was a joke. the idea of an asian 2pac is even more of a joke. though i will admit, the only thing entertaining about 2pac was the thug life tattoo across his stomach was it? that always got a good laugh and was a constant running joke everytime me and my friends saw it.

[popculturepooka]

Meh, I don't like Tighteyez...