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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
IS THE U.S. READY FOR ASIAN AMERICAN POP STARS?
ime was when we saw literary fame or Hollywood stardom as the final frontier for Asian acceptance in the U.S. More recently the frontier shifted to pro sports and national politics.
A year into the 21st Century we see Asian lights going on in the literary world, Hollywood and pro sports. We even see Asian Americans in two cabinet posts. But one arena remains starkly devoid of Asian stars -- the pop music scene.
James Iha, Smashing Pumpkins guitarist/backup vocals & solo recording artist
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Classical stars like Yo-Yo Ma, Seiji Ozawa and Vanessa Mae are old news. We've noted Japanese imports like Shonen Knife, Keiko Matsui and Pizzicato Five. We've marveled at the unlikely hit "Sukiyaki". Many of us have spotted James Iha in Smashing Pumpkins and Jeff Lin in Harvey Danger, or maybe even heard of Asian American bands like Seam and Versus.
But where is pop music's Chow Yun-Fat, Ichiro, Chang-rae Lee, Norman Mineta?
One indication of our lack of presence in pop music is the fact that Ming-Na and husband Eric Zee have even financed a record label (Innovazian) in hopes of promoting an Asian American pop/R&B boy group -- a sort of private Head Start program for pop music. Few of us even know its name (At Last). Its first CD sold all of 3,000 copies.
Those of a paranoid or cynical bent will postulate conspiracies among racist, short-sighted heads of major record labels. The sociologically inclined will see pop music as the inner sanctum of American culture and Asians as the perpetual outsiders.
But for purposes of this page, put on your music critic/historian hat and prognosticate the most likely path by which an Asian star will ascend to the American pop firmament. Will it be a Canto-Pop, J-Pop or K-Pop star storming the U.S. via the import route? Will it be a surprise chart-topper by an AA artist (say James Iha with another, more successful solo album)? Or will there be a frontal assault by a wave of AA groups/artists currently playing the club and auditorium circuits?
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Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:57:37 PM)
To phil the thrill, yo mama a crybaby. I'm a straight thug, gimme some love. I'm a straight thug, gimme some C++. Only one guy in Linkin Park's asian, and he ain't even the most noticeable member. The purpose of this forum to discuss bands composed only of Asians, or with Asians as the main focus of the group. Personally, I think that the first successful Asian pop star and what not will be..........off the chain. Unowasane dawg? He or she will possess the many traits that will propagate an aura of preeminence in a field notorious for its slighty acrimonious milieu, albeit the conspicuous fact of race. He or she will penetrate the bubble that is a rather off the wall American pop culture. Unowasane bro? I think us Asians should be more willing to portray our talents, but better yet, us Asians gotta bond. We all know about the wealthy Asian businessmen in America, or those who pursue high profile jobs, in major companies(high tech computer related for instance), or as doctors and lawyers. The type of job I'm gonna one day own. As CEO of the next napster like company. Now, heres the thing, why can't Asian businessmen invest in their own record companies. Then, seeing as how competitive the music industry is, we could create a new label and give many Asian artists a chance to get out into the general publlic. Now, I know, many people are apt to not invest in such a risky endeavor. However, there is a lot of great Asian music out there, ever more so totally in English. The fact is this. Americans prefer a distinct style of music that has grown from the European classics of Mozart and Beethoven into todays modern Creed, or Blink 182, or Britney Spears. Asian music evolved from a slighty different route. Thus Asians have always had a slightly different preference. However, in this modern age, music has become almost global. A lot of Asian music does sound quite "European", though there are Amerian songs with a bit of Asian in them. So the Euro things in, chopped up and fried with a bit of Asian and what not. If Asians are going to succeed in America, they have to love the "Euro dominated" melodies. A lot of asian songs are already close to this modern preference, with their own Asian Euro mix. Now we need to get these Asians out. If they make great music, I'm sure people will buy their cds. The biggest problem is marketing Asian music. And that goes back to the business thing.
gimmesomec++
Sunday, December 16, 2001 at 09:31:38 (PST)
i don't get it, why does asian female musicians have bigger chances of making it bigger in the US when male musicians are like 10 times better? ;| like LMF!! AZN PRIDE!!
satochi
Sunday, December 16, 2001 at 05:16:59 (PST)
asian divas are hot,its just sad that westerners dont give asian singers a chance to prove themselves.
lioness
Saturday, December 15, 2001 at 20:26:11 (PST)
Too bad you couldn't find the knowledge or space to include Todd Park Mohr, Korean-American hapa guitarist and singer for Big Head Todd & the Monsters. They've never attained superstar status, but they've toured steadily, been on a major label or two and continue to make excellent CDs.
Todd Fan
Saturday, December 15, 2001 at 15:59:40 (PST)
James Iha Sucks!
You want to hear real Asian Rockers, listen to Rock Bands from Japan or the HK Rock Band "Beyond". A really awesome Rock band from Japan that I recommend are "the Pillows". Numerous recordings from this band have been soundtracks for many Japanese Anime movies. There was even an Anime movie about these guys. They and the HK Rock Band "Beyond" are the only 2 Asian Rock Bands which I know that can play any style of music in any rock genre. From styles of Led Zeppellin, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Middle Eastern, Flamenco,..etc. You name it, these impressive bands played it.
Asian Americans can't rock for sh*t! We don't dedicate enough time to become ass kicking rock n' roll geniuses. If James Iha is your example of a rock n' roll talent and a role model for aspiring AA rockers, you really need to get your head examined!
James Iha Sucks!!!
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 23:09:29 (PST)
Asian pop music is very image driven. Musical talent is not even a requirement sometimes. You can hear the effects of voice coach training from CD to CD sometimes.
Most Chinese Pop is still in the love ballad cooning stage. Every now and then a rap or dance Chinese song comes out. But 99% is still love ballads.
And I doubt the LA BOYS would ever make it as a boy band in the USA.
Korean pop...I've noticed a lot of rap influence. I don't think Black people will buy a Korean rappers CD.
J-pop....probably the most diverse of the 3 asian pop industry. But in the core USA has the same groups in each style.
Basically, importing singers will not be the way. At least I don't think so.
The music industry right now in the USA favors image over talent. During economic down turn the music industry will start to favor talent over image (like in the 70's). It is the basic cycle of how the music industry promote stars in the USA.
If the are more and more young Asian willing to take the risk and make careers in USA pop music. I'm sure you will see more asian faces on MTV.
AC dropout
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 16:03:51 (PST)
If you are able, the next time you are in your local Korean grocery store, try renting a Kayo Top 10 which is like an American Band Stand/Star Search type of show.
Every week acts perform on the show with a final show down between the number 1 and 2 spots.
There is a considerable amount of talant there but many of the most popular groups copy cat American styles and I remember the first time I watched a Kayo tape about 7 years ago, I was shocked and amazed about the number of samples and wannabes.
Some stars are actually Korean Americans who had a better shot at sucess in Korea than they ever would in America.
Many young Asians in the States are 1.5ers or first generation actually born in the here and are dealing with identity and trying to fit in.
I think once more Asian Americans become more comfortable with themselves and establish a recognizable presence, the easier it will be for break through artist to hit the pop/r&b scene.
I agree it will a young beautiful female who can dance and sing. The first time I heard Coco Lee on the radio and saw her on TV I got all excited and yelled, "Go on girl! Represent!"
Susan aka Moodangbulae
ladybrownsugar76@aol.com
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 14:44:04 (PST)
Pop stars??? They suck!!
I have aspirations of being a professional singer/rapper/lyricist. But there's no way I'm shooting to be a bubblegum, ditzy, candyass puppet of a pop act. Leave that to the losers. I have an innovative mind and I will be a successful performer in the music industry, but not in pop. Hopefully not, anyway. Did you know that none of the pop "stars" write their own songs and all they do is dance and lip-synch? WTF, this is an outrage of a topic. (BTW, the James Iha photo is covering up some words on this page.)
Thomas
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 12:54:52 (PST)
I don't think the Asian pop stars will make any impact in the U.S. The real fan base for these Asian pop stars are Asians. Since Asian Americans only make up less than 10% of the total U.S population, these pop stars probably won't have a huge U.S following. Think about it, when was the last time you heard anything from Cocco Lee, Utada Hikaru(she recently moved here for college) or Jocelyn Enriquez? Once again, the one thing that hinders these three great divas from making it truly big in the U.S are their skin tone.
Nam
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 11:40:33 (PST)
It's all in the mighty dollar, people!!!
I think that many of the Asian pop stars could make it over here if they had the proper marketing/support behind them. I think that's where Coco Lee's fall came. She has a great voice, but not many people backed her up. Then you have to look a Britney Spears & her clones. They never stay out of the media because someone is willing to put money into their marketing & image. I, for one, am sick of these "Just Add Water" pop stars. They all sound alike & they all suck alike. In all honesty, they are nothing but singing (if you can call it that) strippers. Bring Sandy Lam over here to show these LOSERS what music is about!
Alexandria 81: And people wonder why I listen to 80's Metal
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 10:56:57 (PST)
LINKIN PARK!!! asians are cry babies...im ashamed...we are not minorities we are the majority...
phil the thrill
www.expage.com/phillycreamcheese
its true
its true
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 08:11:23 (PST)
The USA is ready for female asian
pop stars such as Faye, but not male
ones. The reason is clear ...
Andy Lau fan
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 06:40:55 (PST)
I really enjoy Big Head Todd and the Monsters, fronted by Todd Park Mohr who I believe is happa. Home base is Colorado. They have a fantastic bluesy number that sometimes plays on KFOG in the SF Bay Area, think it's called "Please Don't Tell Her I Love Her."
That said, a lot of us AA rock 'n roll lovers probably were not encouraged to pursue the genre as a career/lifestyle. If you don't do classical piano/violin/cello, forget family support. Things will change slowly as 1.5 and 2nd generation AAs have kids and adopt a looser way of parenting.
Korean Hippie in Yuppie Clothing
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 02:04:00 (PST)
Sometimes Asians are so focused on penetrating every arena of American culture that we don't realize that some arenas are best left alone. Hence we have Asian gangs prowling the streets and churches filled with Chinese and Korean Holy-Rollers.
We can still be American without listening to and performing shitty music. The last thing we need is an Asian version of Britney Spears or N-Sync to embarass us all.
Philly
Friday, December 14, 2001 at 00:36:28 (PST)
Well, the first Asian pop star will definitely be a female. 'They' will market her as a diva who is an exotic and erotic Asian Brittany.
Whaddaya think?
Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 22:51:15 (PST)
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