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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?
This interactive article is closed to new input.
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, 05:57:31 PM)
i know its no consolation but i believe it will take time for our community to produce music that will have an impact on american culture.
lets face it. there hadn't been much emphasis for it in the past and even today many asian children are not encouraged to express themselves musically, outside of classical that is.
however, i have little doubt that it will happen. as far as america being ready for asian pop stars. who gives a sh*t. music is rebellion, so whether america is ready or not doesn't matter. what matters is how good the music is and it won't mean much what ethnicity the person happens to be.
nsearch
Monday, March 04, 2002 at 19:25:48 (PST)
Asian's will probably have a tough time making it due mainly to the language barrier. Many Asian singers cannot speak English well. The prospect of a American music pop career will probably go to a country who is more fluent with the language but also with Western culture. It would probably be Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines. The Philippines has already cultivated major talents include AA artist that are currenlty making it. Plus they truly have the talent, skill, and dance abilities. One major Philippine artist that could rival Celine Dion and Mariah is Regine Velasquez. She has already sold 600,000 copies of one of her album ... and this is only released in the Philippines alone. SHe also released major Asian album successes and has worked with Brian Mcknight, Jackie Cheung, Paul Anka, Dave Koz, 98º.. to name a few. check her out at www.reginevelasquez.net .. We need an Asian artist in mainstream America!!!
mj
Friday, March 01, 2002 at 10:02:09 (PST)
Hi. Chinese girl, I have recently seen the music video because I am a girl by Kiss. Is there any chance you know the name of the main girl? I believe she is Japanese and not a memeber of Kiss.
Takeshi
Thursday, February 28, 2002 at 11:39:33 (PST)
speaking of Linkin Park....
here's an article on Linkin Park from the Rolling Stones webpage:
www.rollingstone.com/features/featuregen.asp?pid=564
I liked this article alot because it gave equal attention to all the band members, not just the white lead singer. Moreover, they make a point of calling the Asian members "2nd generation Japanese American" (Mike Shinoda) and "Korean American" (Joseph Hahn). If mainstream press covers Asian artists in such a positive way, maybe America may finally be opening up to the idea of Asian pop stars. =)
Linkin Park RAWKS!!!
Saturday, February 23, 2002 at 08:11:50 (PST)
I think that Philippines produces the best of Asian singers and performers. They have won several international competitions to boot. The question is are we asians willing to support them being non-Filipinos? In Asia alone racism exist.
Sing-wei
Tuesday, February 12, 2002 at 09:42:09 (PST)
I think prospects for Asian-American pop and film stars will be limited. Occasionally there will be a Lucy Liu, James Iha, Ming Na Wen, and perhaps Rick Yune (of Fast and Furious fame and rumored to have a role in the upcoming Bond movie).
However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the exposure of Asian entertainment, culture, and actors/entertainers to Western audiences is limited. I think there will be a huge INCREASE in American appreciation for movies and pop culture from the East. Zhang Ziyi, Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li and Jackie Chan are in the first sino-wave. Watch out for new Korean faces in the next decade as that country's entertainment industry grows in global scale and ambition. (by way of note: Song Hae Kyo (star of Korean miniseries 'An Autumn Tale' which was a pan-Asian hit) is due to star in Rush Hour 3.)
John
Friday, February 08, 2002 at 15:52:26 (PST)
dont forget to watch the asian mtv music awards,live from singapore on the 2nd february.the best asian artistes and musicians will be there. we'll see if asian stars can really rock.
Barbie26
Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at 16:03:38 (PST)
Linkin Park Asian connection would be:
Mike Shinoda - I think he is half white half asian. Obviously his father/grandfather must've been Japanese. I believe he's the vocalist.
Joe Hahn - Korean American DJ who samples beats and electronic sounds.
No wonder Asians seem to like Linkin Park. :p
jjk
Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at 12:58:16 (PST)
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