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GOLDSEA |
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, 05:57:32 PM)
AA MTV,
Nothing wrong with homegrown asians. Because of the language thing howegrown asians will have a better chance of breaking in the USA.
AC dropout
Thursday, January 10, 2002 at 17:53:54 (PST)
Tune out,
I used to roll my eyes at Europeans complaining about 'crass' American culture, but I have to admit that--alas, they're right. Special effects do not a movie make. Or slick packaging of pop tart album filled with cute pictures and a mini poster.
In pop music, the question of success frequently comes down not to who is MAKING music, but who is PRODUCING it. Remember Stock, Aitken and Waterman in the 80s, producing hit after hit of the *same* music, regardless of whether the singer was Rick Astley, Donna Summer, or Kylie Minogue? This is how groups like Milli Vanilli, lip syncers extraordinaire, got to make it. Well, guess what, lip syncing is now acknowledged to be widely practiced at concerts by groups like N-Sync, Steps, and A-1 because of their 'choreography'. Difference between these folks and Milli Vanilli? The latter were black and were caught at it!
So advice to aspiring Asian poptresses and boy groups? Get Britney's, Backstreet Boys' or N-Sync's producers! Wear as much revealing clothes as possible and get blonde highlights before going all blond if you're a girl. (And a boob job, a la Britney, helps too.) If you're a boy, get some surfer duds and stick a giant potato down the front of your pants. (Make sure it don't slide out when you're dancin'!!)
Asian Dominatrix
Thursday, January 10, 2002 at 15:10:40 (PST)
Toi San Jai,
Agree on Brandy being super ugly. However, I think white stars have almost always received more media coverage, especially more on the positive side, than blacks. Notice how there weren't cover features or magazine articles like how to dress or look like Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, or Mariah Carey, but LOADs on looking like Madonna, Britney, Christina Aguilera, Spice Girls, etc.? Notice how Michael Jackson's endeavours (even when innovative) are always dissed, while Madonna's are praised, however stupid?
I'm not saying that all white pop or rock stars are talentless, but most in the late 80s and 90s were pretty godawful: comparing groups like A-1 (steak sauce, NOT steak) and Spice Girls to the Beach Boys and Bangles is still like comparing Johann Strauss jr. to Mozart. And yes, Britney is pretty, but she sounds like she's on helium with that tinny voice of hers. As does Madonna. (Thank God they're not doing a duet--yet!)
This is what Asian pop and rock stars will be up against: image (as white as possible) and Madison Ave. marketing. Unfortunately, it's nearly always going to be a case of tinsel and the jingle of $$$ over REAL tunes.
Asian Dominatrix
Thursday, January 10, 2002 at 14:52:18 (PST)
Personally, I am game for new competition in the music world. Music is a universal language. I love to listen to J-Pop, K-Pop and Traditional music from various places around the world.
Its time we have some mega talented Asian musicians make there way to the forefront. I am waiting.
I think the more diversity we can get, the better our world will be. And perhaps the less squabbling there will be.
In the immortal words of Bob Marley, who I love with all my heart,
"One Love, One Heart.."
Dewa, Nochihodo.
Lynn
gefionhawk@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 09, 2002 at 23:29:26 (PST)
"At Last" was signed to Ming-Na's (Awesome Asian sister) record company - Innovazian Records. Check out their CD at www.innovazian.com
FOP
Wednesday, January 09, 2002 at 23:04:03 (PST)
Asian Dominatrix,
So true so true. I feel that music isn't so much art anymore as much as it is marketing and just affordable entertainment. But I think that is America's view on art in general. Did you know that part of America's free trade agreements with other nations specifically addresses the right to distribute American films and T.V. shows. Many nations around the world ( including Europe) are trying to combat this specific clause because once Hollywood gets a foot hold in another countries movie market, it usually results in the death of that countries fledgling movie industry. Not to mention that culture can lose its cultural voice in video art when it is literally outcompeted by 120 million dollar budgets and special effects. A cultures ability to tell its own story is vital to its existence. There are so many incredible stories out there that will never be told because the movie industry in many countries went bankrupt because "Dude Wheres My Car" is running in every theatre. God Bless us and God help us....
Tune out
Wednesday, January 09, 2002 at 15:30:41 (PST)
Hey, I agree about the hip hop thing. Ever heard of KRS-1? haha
Aww hell no! Don't be bagging on Britney now. There has only recently been a resurgence of white stars. Up until the late nineties, most famous singers were black. Another super ugly famous singer that comes to mind is Brandy. Gosh, her eyes are so far apart, she is the envy of all hammerhead sharks across the globe.
Toi San Jai
Eric@KristinKreuk.net
Wednesday, January 09, 2002 at 14:53:38 (PST)
AC Dropout:
"I want to see an asian face on MTV like the next person. But in the USA it will most likely be a homegrown asian, rather than pacific import, if and when it happens."
So, what's wrong if it's a "homegrown"Asian who appears on MTV. It's like the movie industry where, people are complaining there are not many positive images of Asian men. The ones that have gained popularity over the last few years have mostly been overseas Asians rather than Asian American. Perhaps, we could do with more "homegrown" Asians in the music industry
AA MTV
Wednesday, January 09, 2002 at 10:12:10 (PST)
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