The Dilemma of Mixed Asians in Hip Hop

[kimpossible]

Hip hop artists have long sprinkled their lyrics with references to shaolin, kung fu and geishas. But despite this apparent fascination with Asian culture, hip hop artists of mixed Asian descent continue to deny their ethnic heritage. Tom Melesky examines this phenomenon.

By Tom Melesky

November 2002

In the past three decades, hip hop has undergone an evolution unequalled in any other genre of music, going from an underground music, dance, and art form to something regularly experienced in commercials, TV and movies. Although followed by fans and consumers of all races, it has not always been open to everyone.

At first glance, you might think that the future looks bright for mixed Asians in hip hop. They have had a presence almost from the very beginning. Chris Won Wong, a.k.a. Fresh Kid Ice, a Trinidadian of Chinese descent, was and still is a member of 2 Live Crew, one of rap's breakthrough groups. And just look at this lineup of current stars to see how strong the mixed Asian presence is in hip hop: Chilli of TLC is Arabic, East Indian and Black. Singer Kelis is Puerto Rican, Chinese and Black. Olivia is Jamaican, Indian and Dominican. Female MC Foxy Brown is Trinidadian and Asian. Black Eyed Peas member apl is Filipino and Black. R&B newcomer Amerie is Korean and Black. Singer Debelah Morgan is Indian and Black. Dena Cali, a female rapper who also starred in Master P's comedy "Foolish," is Black, Chinese and Swedish. Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park is Japanese and Caucasian. Female breakdancer Asia One, who is Chinese and Caucasian, is a former Rock Steady Crew member and organizes the annual B-boy Summit.

Mixed Asian non-musicians have indirectly contributed to hip hop culture as well. Actors like Russell Wong have appeared in films like "New Jack City" and "Romeo Must Die," Rae Dawn Chong starred in "Beat Street," and Sonja Sohn stole the spotlight in "Slam." Naomi Campbell appeared in Michael Jackson's "Keep It in the Closet" video and the TV show "NY Undercover." Tyson Beckford appeared in Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" video while Jeni Fujita sang on Wyclef Jean's "Guantanamera." Bruce Lee, who is a quarter German, is referred to, quoted, or sampled in hundreds of songs.

So the groundwork is all laid out. It should be a piece of cake from here on, shouldn't it? Unfortunately, no. There is still a long ways to go.

more (http://www.eurasiannation.com/generic149.html)

[Hiroshi2]

I thought there was an asian dude from linkin park (which imo is still primarily a rock band, not a hip-hop group but that's another story), but as it turns out he's hapa.

Also I heard somewhere that Jay-Z is part Filipino. I suppose he kinda does look asian ;)

I know what you mean about the superficial asian culture references. Like the Wu-Tang Clan. What do they know about anything about chinese culture? (i still like 'em though)

[BeTheReds]

Linkin park has a half Japanese dude and a KA DJ

[kimpossible]

Didn't know Foxy Brown was part Asian. I have one song with her and Utada Hikaru.

[YuheiCarreau]

Lyrics Born, one half of Latyrx, is Japanese American (and also a forensic detective, apparently). Latryx often collaborate with DJ Shadow and Blackalicious, and LB has a solo CD coming out soon. Check out www.quannum.com for some of his stuff.

[DaBestSpooner]

I know what you mean about the superficial asian culture references. Like the Wu-Tang Clan. What do they know about anything about chinese culture? (i still like 'em though)

U-God, Gza are members of the official shaolin temple in nyc, and trained in shaolin kungfu

[Hiroshi2]

I see. Well, i know that some people call themselves those names just because they think those names are funny. Like the rap group, the Yin-Yang Twins (might not be well-known outside the South).

[nonamerasian]

Are these performers supposed to wear a plaque around their necks stating that they are mixed or something?

A lot of the people on that list are part Black, a lot of "Blacks" are part something else. It's no new phenomenon that not all mixed Blacks go all out and say that they are mixed Blacks.

Phenomenon is old.

Neither is this specific to the hip-hop community.

It's a complex issue.

To put blame on the fact that Brown doesn't go on stage every concert screaming, "I'm hapa," (if she even knows there is such a term) on the industry is a big simplification that ignores other social aspects.

And, it is not necessarily "denying" their heritage. Brown has actually discussed her dougla background, which is probably the reason the author found out she was mixed in the first place.

I think the references to martial arts and stuff in hip-hop may be tied into the popularity of martial arts films while the artists were growing up.

Probably the reason for mafia references in hip-hop, as well. . .The Godfather, Scarface.

Those two genres were popular.

[BeTheReds]

I think maybe the artists who don't put emphasis on their ethnic heratige or acknowledge only one side of it simply don't identify as both, or they feel that it isn't important to emphasize it.

[Hiroshi2]

I mean, like nonameriasian said, are they (we) supposed to put a label on our chests or something?


I've had people come up to me and say, "I never knew you were half-japanese! Why didn't you tell me?" My response is simply, "It never came up", or "was I supposed to tell you?"

[Faithless]

Very interesting article.
.
So the groundwork is all laid out. It should be a piece of cake from here on, shouldn't it? Unfortunately, no. There is still a long ways to go.

While the many people involved in hip hop can refer to "shaolin" or "tiger style" or throw around words like "arigato" or "sensei," few would even know if Bruce Lee was Japanese or Chinese. Only a handful of the stars listed above actually refer to their Asian background in any real sense. The mixed population is largely invisible to the public eye and that is because many of the stars choose to identify themselves with only one race.
I tend to think that part of the problem of identifying oneself as part Asian might be the insecurity in doing so.

The other thing is that one can get so wrapped up in their other identity that the Asian part is totally dwarfed. This can be a matter of not ever having the identity to grow an Asian identity or any venue to express it.

[BigLew]

U-God, Gza are members of the official shaolin temple in nyc, and trained in shaolin kungfuOh yeah! And so that makes them experts on Chinese culture because ALL Chinese people know kung fu and practice Chan Buddhism!

[asvenus]

naomi campbell?? ummm thats called a weave!! (hapa she is not)...putting together these kinds of lists is all well and good but it doesnt really prove anything other than yes we as a human race are some mixed up mongrel half breeds...

but as Jen points out tis nothing new and there are various ways in which people talk about their heritage that do not include the word 'hapa' also political and social and historical context play a huge part when looking at mixed identity people...

i mean these 'outings' of famous people with asian heritage are great at times, i mean i like seein em, but what does it realllllly mean?

i dont think the fact they may not wander about shouting about their backgrounds doesnt mean theyre ashamed, most artists and others always rave on about it....to the point where it becomes a 'fad' or something that makes them that extra bit special or something which i really cant stand...if anything they go over board on references to it...i dont think hip-hop or mixed asians with black heritage are ashamed at all..

and the article are you trying to say that half or mixed asians are somehow unaware or ashamed of their identity?? i think its more to do with society at large and how ready people are to package and brand you regardless of what you want to represent...

[BigLew]

naomi campbell?? ummm thats called a weave!! (hapa she is not)And you my friend would be wrong, Naomi Campbell herself has talked about her Chinese mix in many interviews.

[asvenus]

no believe me...naomi campbell grew up around my way..i know alot of her family seriously and NO WAY are ANY of them asian..they are BLACK as in AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN ok...seriously...

what annoys me about her in particular is now she rolls with the 'multicultural' set and its all 'cool' to be mixed/asian shes on the bandwagon with her fake hair/eye combo but when girls like me were growing up she wasnt claiming any of the 'heritage' when it could get you bullied and shit....she may have a great great great grandad twice removed thats half asian or something but she has no idea what its like to grow up with any asian influence or aware of any asian heritage...i hate all this selective memory regarding ancestry...puhleese...she was one of the crowd saying things like chink/black jap and all the other crap people like me had to deal with back in the day when 'asianess' was a fastrack to being insulted not something to crow about in interviews now its the 'in' thing...puhleese

i wish i knoew how to post pics on this thing cos before my girl was prancing around being a model she did NOT have that head of hair and you can clearly see there is no trace of asian in her at all...i know that sounds abit bad after going on about phenotypes but no...there is no trace and asian genes are pretty strong

[rice cracker]

no believe me...naomi campbell grew up around my way..i know alot of her family seriously and NO WAY are ANY of them asian..they are BLACK as in AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN ok...seriously...

what annoys me about her in particular is now she rolls with the 'multicultural' set and its all 'cool' to be mixed/asian shes on the bandwagon with her fake hair/eye combo but when girls like me were growing up she wasnt claiming any of the 'heritage' when it could get you bullied and shit....she may have a great great great grandad twice removed thats half asian or something but she has no idea what its like to grow up with any asian influence or aware of any asian heritage...i hate all this selective memory regarding ancestry...puhleese...she was one of the crowd saying things like chink/black jap and all the other crap people like me had to deal with back in the day when 'asianess' was a fastrack to being insulted not something to crow about in interviews now its the 'in' thing...puhleese

i wish i knoew how to post pics on this thing cos before my girl was prancing around being a model she did NOT have that head of hair and you can clearly see there is no trace of asian in her at all...i know that sounds abit bad after going on about phenotypes but no...there is no trace and asian genes are pretty strong

A bit off topic, but since I can't give you karma quite yet, I want to say this bit of relation about blasian experiences growing up is really welcome. Hapa developement is my pet interest.

[nola]

i think she does have a tiny bit of chinese in her. however she misbehaved doesn't take that away from her.

i think foxy brown is half filipino.

[BigLew]

You can't tell by looking at a person what they are. Why would she lie in public about it anyway, as if being part asian raises her social status as a supermodel in the least bit.

My best friend from LA is black and his grand mother on his fathers side was chinese and you cannot tell at all by looking at him. It is ignorant to think that just because you don't agree with who they are by how they look in pictures that they are false.

[asvenus]

i know big lew and you are right to say im being ignorant BUT and its a real but ok...i just resent the fact that people like her constantly drag up the 'exotic' factor when it suits them, it reminds me of when you get white Texans or something claiming their ancestors were Native Indian princesses or something...and dont be naive biglew, believe many people DO use having a mixed background (or claiming to have) to raise their profile and try to make themselves that bit more interesting..believe im speaking from experience of these kinds of people ok...there are MANY people that lie about their backgrounds for a plurality of reasons everyday...wierd as it might seem!! :confused:

Foxy Brown comes from an island where the majority of the inhabitants claim asian parentage or ancestry so i dont doubt that at all...im not being some hapa nazi here and doubting everyone just voicing my opinion and knowledge...thank you miss white bred :wink: