First all-Cantonese hip-hop album released by Mc Jin, American Born Chinese rap freestyler
The respectable MC Jin (he’s signed by one of the US’s biggest rap labels), an American Born Chinese rapper, recently released his first all Cantonese hip hop album, “ABC“. He proclaims that “This is more than just beats & rhymes. This is my identity.”
With tracks like “1997“, “Speak Can’t Read” and “Yum Dom Cha“, the album puts together lyrics which describe Chinese identities and lifestyles and should strike a chord with most Chinese born outside of East-Asia.
For the first time, we have Cantonese rap which although takes a moment to get used to, doesn’t induce fits of cringing embarrassment. When MC Jin drops a sentence in English, you’d recognise the accent of quality US rap, but it’s when he recites your weekly Sunday dim sum routine – in crisp, Cantonese rhyme – that you’ve found the long-awaited cool-credible spokesperson of Western-born Chinese.
This album has practically burned into my ipod, so check the links and get a copy of “ABC
ABCJIN.com
The video for the title track “ABC” on YouTube
From the British Chinese blog
Buy ABC from Amazon
Technorati Tags: ABC, American born Chinese, freestyle rap, hip-hop, Hong Kong, MC Jin, music
3 comments | | categories : Asian American, Hong Kong, Music
I wanted to send this message somehow to MC Jin… I wrote this one night after having dinner at Yao Ming’s restuarant and bar in Houston, TX… Wanted to let MC Jin know that he’s not the only one fightin and representin and would like some feedback… Thanks!
Steppin up and representin…
By Mano Nguyen
March 25, 2005
Basil beef at Yao’s restaurant was just first-class
Dragon Inn Buffet was a thing of the past
Non-Asian dudes wearing Houston Rocket # 11
We got Asian street signs next to lucky sevens
Youngsters now not knowing what we faced
Taking for granted the spices and green curry paste
Expanding out, demanding supplies we need
Growing larger and larger, demographics changed indeed
We’re your neighbors, doctors, accountants, and
teachers
Right next to you at football games in the bleachers
We paved the road for what is here
Make understanding for what’s unclear
Step up, lead and steer
Continue the path for future years
Searching for role models to step up to the plate
An Asian Lebron, wouldn’t that be great?
Keep fighting to level the playing field
Opportunities are lopsided for reals
Break the mold and stereo-types diversify
Raise the bar, create standards to qualify
Women don’t have to play roles of dragon lady whores
Asian dudes donât have to play karate roles no more
Ladies, don’t sell out, don’t ever stray
Stay true to yourself, keep the faith, okay?
Tell em youâre not an easy lay
At least donât give it up from January thru May
Six months to wait? Hay!!!
Respect my Asian sister and wait I say
What makes u think that its alright?
To portray me in a less masculine light?
I aint a fobby computer geek, clear your sight
Treat me like that, we gonna fight
I’ll dance around you in every single category
Representing my way in Asian-style glory
Fellas, be smart and do your part
Give it your all, all of your heart
They’ll respect us right from the start
Fellas, go on and step it up
We blowin up, hear us erupt
Asian Brad Pitts are just around the bend
Step out of the box and tell a friend
Gear up for some well balanced Asian men
This article is false, as Cantonese hip hop has been around since the mid-90s — when Jin was in middle school and dreaming about looking fly in a pair of Cross Colours overalls. Get on your research, yo.
Check out the now-disbanded LMF (LazyMuthaFucka) for the best of the bunch.
Hey Jon, yeah, you’re right, LMF was around before.