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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)
Dang, has anyone seen the music video of the song "Because I'm a girl". I think it's by a K-pop group called "Kiss". It's such an amazing video! For all you guys out there, the girl in it is really beautiful. And for all the girls, the story line is so sweet. I don't want to spoil it for those of you who haven't seen the video, but I'll tell you this much: The guy sacrifices something for the girl that really indicates his true love. It's hands down the BEST music video I've ever seen.
Chinese Girl
Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 14:50:32 (PST)
Su Chin Pak is atrocious too. I remember her on Straight Talkin' Teens. Gosh, what a horrible show. Althea and Lisa Ling on Scratch were a lot better. I wrote an article about her on AsianScene.com, as well as stuff about many other Asian girls on tv. Check it out. Well, you are right about the midriff baring sexiness thing. However, other than Pinays, can Asians even dance like that? Furthermore, do they even have a body? Coco Lee has no body to speak of whatsoever. The rail thin look may appeal to Asians, but in America, the most important thing is the figure. =)
TSJ
Eric@KristinKreuk.net
Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 12:56:19 (PST)
To Alexandria in cali #1 Click-B Fan,
Alexandria, my sista,I love K-Pop too *HI-5* and have been a fan for quite a while. It's fun and light, it's POP. I have planned fantasy getaways with members of.. uhh, let me stop *BLUSH*
However, for a while, I have to say it was a little embarassing showcasing my secret fetish to my non-Korean friends.
I am 1/2 black and 1/2 Korean and in the mid 90's I would watch Kayo Top 10, listen to DJ Doc, Roo Ra, H.O.T., Seo Tai Ji and play, "Name That Sample" for shots w/ my Korean roommates and guessed who would be the next to get sued for copy right infringment. Awwww, those where the days...
Anyway, I don't listen to as much K-Pop as I used to, but while I love the music, the look and all that, the songs I like to listen to (and sing at noraebang) are those of TURBO, Noise, Lee Sung Chul and the like.
So yeah, I had a point. As I am unaware of the current state of K-Pop (maybe you could fill me in) from what I remember, it had a loooooong way to go before it could be respectable to the outside world.
I remember my roomies raving over Roo Ra's "Chunsa" song while I sat there in amazement. When they inquired what was wrong, I quickly pulled out my Sliver Soundtrack and played "Oh Carolina" by Shaggy. 'Nuff said.
I hated to do it, but I shattered their world and shook the very foundation of their K-Pop belief system. I'm a bad bad girl ;)
The correlation to my previous post is that it is easy to copy cat an established style and put a familular face on it, but it takes more talent and hard work to be unique and produce art that'll last as opposed to being a flash in the pan.
Oh one more thing. I don't care if Asians (or anyone else) wear FUBU because the clothes are made in Korea and I think Samsung was/is a financial backer for the FUBU fellas anyway.
Toodles!
Susan aka Moodangbulae
moodangbulae@yahoo.com
Saturday, January 12, 2002 at 13:46:11 (PST)
Ouch! Granted Brandy's features are... unique but a hammerhead shark?
Anyway, a lot of current white pop stars aren't doing anything different than many black acts were doing years ago.
Brittney and company burst onto the scene with mid riffs showing exhibiting the latest hip-hop moves. It wasn't anything new to many because acts like Aaliyah had all ready been there done that, but the target audience (white main stream America) was just now able to identify an image with the beats and moves.
If Asian artists want hit the scene by way of the super pop cookie cutter machine, they will probably have a better chance of exposure (granted they could receive corporate backing), but ultimately the music and the art form suffers.
They could try a more underground approach, like many dj's have done to get respect, demonstrate their TRUE skillz~ and then sell out. J/K... I mean, make it big :) This takes out the instant gratification that many acts and promoters maybe looking for, but at least the music would have more substance.
It's going to take time, but there is a Korean VJ on MTV now, Suchan Pak, I think. Granted she's not on that often, but I did glimps her a few times. Maybe there will even be an A.E.T., Asian Entertainment Television someday.
Susan aka Moodangbulae
moodangbulae@yahoo.com
Saturday, January 12, 2002 at 12:42:16 (PST)
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