Prospects for Asian American Pop Stars | Asian American Issues

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

     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.

Asian American Videos

Films & Movies Channel

Humor Channel

Identity Channel

Vocals & Music Channel

Makeup & Hair Channel

Intercultural Channel

CONTACT US | ADVERTISING INFO

© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.

WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:57:26 PM)

hey everyone...my name is amy and im holding an international day at my college and i'm looking for a good representative for the asian american community. if anybody is interested or knows anybody that would be interested please try to contact me. my e mail is ahn72@morrisville.edu and my cell fone # is 9178218868. we will be paying the performer and paying for the transportation, lodging, and food. thanx for your time.
OnELuB
ahn72@morrisville.edu Friday, September 13, 2002 at 11:21:24 (PDT) [136.204.184.149]

Well, JPOP's "Puffy" is starting up with their works (with a new group name "PuffyAmiYumi" so that they don't get confused with P. Diddy). Might be good.

Rumor has it that Utada Hikaru was working on an English album, but after having just married, who knows when that's gonna be done? But she's really good.

As for the Regine Velasquez post, well... I admit, she's got a great voice and technique, not to mention very kind as a person (when I met her a while back), but she has one problem: Her songs aren't catchy and trendy enough for the American market.

I auditioned for Innovazian when "At Last" was getting started (but didn't make it), but I know the members of that group are quite talented and have strong support from their producers. If they could get some airtime on a pop radio station, they'll get a better following.

In any case, I think Asian Americans have a better chance of entering mainstream with an Asian American rock band in lieu of pop boy bands or single female vocalists. Given the right image and catchy songs, it can be done.
Alan R.
Thursday, September 12, 2002 at 15:10:20 (PDT) [128.9.144.79]

I agree, Jin is an example of an Azn rapper doing it in the US..
I just feel he is the typical azn rapper..not really taking a stand..

Just saw a rapper out of New York..

What I heard could not be identified as anything other than street...Until I
Checked www.dirtydemo.com

This artist is not trying to be anything..he is just a street kid from Queens who just so happens to be AZn..
The artists name is Liv N Proof..
Check it'

One
Open I's
Wednesday, September 04, 2002 at 12:24:27 (PDT) [63.237.152.49]

Here's another artist you should check out :

http://www.corrinnemay.com

She's got music clips at

http://www.cdbaby.com/corrinnemay
Michael
Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 01:55:37 (PDT)

I am one of the producers for a brand new kids television show called K'Pow! Asian American Kids Variety Show that is going to be on a new AA television network. The show is along the lines of the Mickey Mouse Club and Zoom, but with a very hip and edgy flare. We will be featuring cutting edge music, dance, fashion and trends - with kids . I am scouting out up and coming "adult" (unsigned) Asian American artists - musicians, bands, soloists and songwriters - that would like to work with our music producers and also feature their original music on the show. We will be producing a compilation CD of all the acts who work with the show, distribute, expose and market it. Please contact me a.s.a.p. if you are an artist or know someone who would be interested. I need a CD, PIC. AND BIO a.s.a.p. Please contact me at the email address below and I will give you more details. Thanks! and this could be your big break and a way to pave the road for other AA artists to come.
Missy A.
VIVACEMissy@aol.com Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 23:31:49 (PDT)

Regine Velasquez - the 1989 Asia-Pacific Singing Contest Champion is easily the Best Vocalist in Asia.

Regine was complimented by:

MICHEL LEGRAND - Grammy and Oscar French Composer Awardee had worked with Barbara Estreisand. "The Range and Heart so far is something I have neve heard in my entire career".

BRIAN MCKNIGHT - has worked with Mariah Carey. "Regine is the best performer I have ever worked with."

PEABO BRYSON - "Regine is the Asian Artist who can rival Celine Dion.

JACKIE CHEUNG - "I would have to say Regine (Velasquez). Her singing is totally awesome. But it isn't just her technique. Yes, she has an excellent range, etc, but it wasn't until I was actually in the studio to hear her record the song that I realized just how good she is. The way she used her voice, and how she rendered every note and phrase left me speechless. I just stood there wondering, "How am I going to match this, or compliment it to do it justice?" It was that serious, but also that wonderful."

MANDY MOORE - "Regine is the biggest Popstar in Asia".

and there are more International music icons to name: Jeffrey Osborne, Remus Choi, David Hasselhoff, 98 degrees, Shanice Wilson, David Koz, David Pomeranz, Paul Anka etc. who had given high compliments on the Philippines own, Regine Velasquez
Asia's Song Bird
Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 11:29:58 (PDT)

Hahaha, don't worry. All of your speculations are wrong, but there is definitely hope. There is a new R&B rap/vocal artist on the rise called ERICA O'YOUNG. She's Chinese-American, and can rap, dance & sing with the American best - and she's GORGEOUS if you've seen her in person or in pictures. As an inside source of the biz, I can tell you right now that there are labels looking at her. However, I really don't think ANY OTHER AA artist could pull it off - "eRiCa" has an amazing look, style and stage presence that no other overseas or current artist has, and unless you have a package that incredible, the US audiences are going to be hard to win over.
John Weltzer
witheld Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 23:46:57 (PDT)

"Haha... you don't think Stinkin kraP is pop? They are on all the same stations that bump BSB and Christina. That sounds pretty pop to me"

BSB and Christina are on a stations that have rap, hip hop, and rock. so ur point is not valid enough or just too damn vague.
cLin
fawk@you.inthebutt Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 17:32:55 (PDT)

Thanks "God of Asia" I'll look for those artists. And to Regina, good music is good music, regardless the race or nationality of the artists. So I think Americans, like myself for instance, would support it if they knew more about it. But the music business is all about money, so if they feel they can't make the money, they won't push the artist. Thats why I support underground music and go to live shows as much as possible. That's the only way to escape the recycled stuff that is fed to us on radio.
Tea
teazemetea@yahoo.com Thursday, August 01, 2002 at 11:52:19 (PDT)

NEWEST COMMENTS | EARLIER COMMENTS