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GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Is the U.S. Ready for Asian American Pop Stars?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:57:18 PM)
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.]
Why would say a Japanese teenager in Tokyo listen to Malaysian music when she can't even relate to them. In Japan most teenagers listen to what is perceived as cool like American pop, Brit pop, J-pop, K-pop or even some South American stuff.
This is true also in Korea, HK and Taiwan as well. No one listens to Malaysia or Indian music in East Asia.
I won't be suprised if there were good artistes from South East Asia.Yes, the region might be THIRD WORLD compared to the richer East Asian Block, but don't forget talents like Regine Velasquez,KAI, Anggun,etc, are all South East Asians in origin.
Who?? I have no clue who you're talking about? Were they ever listed on Billboard Top 40? Any wannabe popstar can cut a CD these days.
Get real
Monday, March 24, 2003 at 18:04:41 (PST)
[64.12.96.103]
Asian Rocker,
I do not believe that any of the hip hop supporters are implying we should exclude "rock" from our listening lists, they are merely suggesting that we should just not be too hasty in rejecting hip hop and rap altogether. Infact, if you read closely, one of them even indicates his taste for oldie's rock in addition to his love for hip hop.
But one thing you must also consider, is the element of "dance". The "dumpt dumpt bass" as you put it, is imperative to the club and rave scenes, which simply would not exist without it. That's why it's interesting to see now, how club dj's are now mixing up pop tunes like, say Madonna, with hip hop, techno, house or trance beats, and even 80s tunes to draw the older crowds.
I guess only a band such a "Linkin Park" would be the closest thing to satisfying everyone's listening needs, as they're a blend of alternative, pop and rap, plus they've got an asian and half-asian band members (btw, their new album comes out in only two days).
And I do agree with you, in that there are just tons and tons of great rock groups from Asia left undiscovered by AA's. I've just recently myself been turned onto Japanese alternative rock groups like "Brilliant Green" or "The Pillows".
Personally, I only divide music into just two categories - "good" and "bad". I'll listen to just about anything as long is it turns my crank (well, perhaps except for "death metal"! :)
It's all good. :)
Monday, March 24, 2003 at 00:12:41 (PST)
[204.210.11.100]
! Only a third world Malaysian would listen to that crap. Even in Asia no one is familar with Malaysian music.
*That's the problem,sonny.Asians do not really know each other's worth and talent when it comes to music.You'd get East Asians who praise and only listen to music from their own kind. South East asians would only prefer to listen to theirs, and most Indians in India would prefer to listen to local Indian music instead of,let's say, J-Pop or K-Pop. Asians are always too nationalistic when it comes to everything they do, including music.We limit ourselves to what we are familiar with, and look down on others who might make good music,BUT NOT given much publicity and exposure.
I won't be suprised if there were good artistes from South East Asia.Yes, the region might be THIRD WORLD compared to the richer East Asian Block, but don't forget talents like Regine Velasquez,KAI, Anggun,etc, are all South East Asians in origin.
If Asians wanna see the rise of Asians in the international music scene,we'd better open up our mind, instead of making fun of each other.
Give Ourselves A Break
Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 16:57:47 (PST)
[210.187.156.65]
I saw this Asian group on TV, AT LAST.
They sing so GOOD!
Can anybody tell me where I can get more infomation about them?
Thank You.
Rahema, Music Lover
Rahema2222@Yahoo.com
Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 13:08:30 (PST)
[152.163.189.135]
why is that if u are Asian u are expected to conform to stereotypes regarding tastes in music?, why are we expected to like to only like R&B/hip hop/rap/pop/dance/trance etc.. and if we happen to like rock/alternative we are labelled as white-washed? Well let me tell u that the only modern Genre of music happens that was really created by Asians is the J-Rock and the Visual Kei scene which started in Japan (well they do produce majority of musical instruments and omong the best in the world) in early 80's and spread around the world, influencing many countries and cultures (South America, France, Germany.. other Asian countries with many bands adopting the concept in their own languages, although not as talented Marilyn Manson and he's band are unofficial cassified as visual rock as he and the late Hide were good friends- one time Hide had arguements with him for stealing he's style), J-Rock is very different to Western Rock as it uses its own spectrum of technical scales, song structure, vocal abilities, recording process and heavy focus on image and although was inspired by other genres like glam rock, brit rock, american stadium rock, French industrial goth and classical it is far more technical and original than most western rock bands. But sadly the its a dying scene with all the big major players disbanded or no-more without new generation of indies bands filling their place (X-Japan - the band which started it all -drummer Yoshiki is rated number 3 in the world at one time and is ranked 11th in the world as pianist too and the Legendary guitarists Hide whom has a whole museam dedicated to him , Luna Sea (my Favourite), L'arc~en~ciel, Malice Mizer) Dir En Grey is the only major mainstream player left (as Glay for many is considered J-Pop) and is gaining American interest - watch out for SilverAsh too- the first visual chinese band - i hope i can inspire many Asians to take interests in rock.. as if we're to enter the western music fame we should display our skills and creativity in "real" music no offence to other genres..since rock or instrument based genres gain the most respect as musicians. As a Chinese, i have being inspired like many from arguable the most talented musicians to ever come from and revolutionized Hong Kong of course i am referring to the legendary band Beyond... too all the conformists... my resting point is its not white-wash to like rock (truly the opposite), we should a highly civilised and advanced people be reduced to pumping out ur dumpt dumpt bass "music", why not listen just by a drum machine and listen to that all day. PEACE
ASIAN ROCKER
Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 02:03:41 (PST)
[203.194.38.190]
Oh yeah here is one asian Hip Hop group that even Mario copied one song from, and yup theyre right from my country Malaysia. introducing 'Too Phatt'
www.toophat.com.my
The Malaysian Sensation
GIVE US A FRIGGIN' BREAK! Only a third world Malaysian would listen to that crap. Even in Asia no one is familar with Malaysian music.
Malaysia 3rd
Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 17:37:09 (PST)
[64.12.96.103]
Dear Malaysian Embarassment,
OK, I can also play your dirty little game .....
First, sure this aint wrestling, but I suppose you also think Hitler is one swell dude who just happened to make one or two "minor slips" here and there on occasion?! Someone prolly needs to fly over to Malaysia, bomb your ass and your cities, pillage, plunder and rape the people in your little country villages before you begin to realize WHAT IS "WRONG"!!
First you flame aspiring hip-hop/R+B artist Cat Kim telling her she has "a brain of a peanut" among other things, then you diss hip-hop producer BeatBoxB telling him and his buds to "stop playing pretend" in their garages, but NOW "YOU" of all people wanna suddenly introduce US to some no-name hip-hop group from Malaysia?! WTF??!! Guess ONLY "MALAYSIAN" hip-hop groups are legit eh?! And this coming from a guy who calls all hip-hop followers "WANNABES"?! Sniff sniff, is it just me or do I smell some HYPROCRISY in the air?! Too Phatt may end up being da illest asian hip-hop group ever, but by being introduced to the world through your dirty little hole, you've just tainted their names and if I were in THEIR shoes I'd hunt you down like a dog and beat down your scrawny little phony ass to a pulp for the sake of all malaysians and hip-hop artists in the world!!
This is the honest to god truth and I'm 100% certain cuz I KNOW cats in person like this embarassing malay here ..... see there's two camps of hip-hop hatah's ... one are those who just "dont get it" like fobby asians who dig j-pop or canto-pop or whatever (not entirely true .. I got some fobby buds I bounce with who totally dig hip-hop), then there's cats who yearn for the hip-hop life BUT AIN'T GOT DA FLOW OR STYS TO LIVE IT!! Your lungs (among other things) are JUST TOO SMALL to bounce with da BIG BOYZ like me and ma' boyz, so you just end up hating us. At the surface, cats like these pretend to scoff at hip-hop saying its "beneath them" or that b-boyz or fly-girlz are just "big wannabes" and whatnot, but deep down inside they secretly look at people like me and think "damn, how come I can't have any black friends??" or "damn, how'd he score that fly white girl??" In truth, You are the biggest wannabe of wannabes among all of US malay boy!! Do your country a big favor, stop embarassing Malaysians and crawl the f* back to your mommy's little baby crib to put on your "Will Smith" or "Vanilla Ice" cds, cuz that's about as much rap and hip-hop culture you ever gonna experience, boy!!
You sure "sound" like you don't dig Star Trek either, almost as convincingly as your "I hate hip-hip wannabes" frontin' facade, so while you secretly jerk off to Captain Kirk while telling others how much a dweeb they are for watching Star Trek, I'll be cruisin' to a hip-hop club in a 6X4 with my boyz and our fly chicks at our sides while YOU on the other hand, shall be at home with only a box of kleenex, hand lotion, a "Girls Of The Malay Isles" and "William Shatner" calendars by YOUR side, dreaming to live the life that us so-called "hip-hop wannabes" are living while listening to "Too Phatt" to compensate for being "TOO SMALL" ... yeah, I hafta wear my glasses only for doing drawings and art, where YOU on the other hand need 'em cuz you have problems finding a grip!
And whoever below said that hip-hop is an "anthem for a bunch of slacking LOSERS! Future criminals and if lucky janitors of the world", this is as WRONG as saying all Malaysians are a bunch o' whiny 30-year-old-virgin hip-hop-wannabe ankle-biting losers mad at the world cuz they've never kissed a girl before ... just cuz you've encountered a few who were actually like that (like we all have just now), ain't mean sh* ... it's something called "stereotyping" and "discrimmination", something we should have all learned in kindergarten ... it's "WRONG" and I'll say it again: W-R-O-N-G, "WRONG"!!!
Don't take out your own inadequacies on hip-hop!!! blame yourselves!!!
NinjaTurtle, PhattBoySlim
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at 16:36:39 (PST)
[64.37.155.9]
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