For my Asian American poet, I did Jin. To be honest, I never chose this artist simply because he was easy to grab in contemporary standards nor because he was easy and obvious to analyze.
In early 2004, I believed a dark cloud loomed over the Asian American community when American Idol reject, William Hung released an album. I believe that was one of the saddest days for mainstream Asian America. When William Hung was signed to a record label and produced a CD, I felt decades of struggles in eliminating negative stereotypes collapsing.
Shortly after the William Hung CD was released, Jin released his first CD, "The Rest Is History" and I was hooked after I listened to his first single, "Learn Chinese". At first, I felt it was something like an evolution for hip hop because we finally have a distinguished Asian person that earned his rightful contract after going undefeated in freestyle rap offs on BET.
Let me tell you a little about Jin.
Jin Au-Yeung was born in Miami, Florida and raised by two Asian American immigrants. Jin often mentions his roots being planted in America and how his family struggled to have the "American Dream". Jin became fascinated by hip-hop and rap back in the early 90's when rap was emerging as a dominating genre and culture in urban America. Jin developed a habit for freestyling and often tried to perfect it in high school, at work and literally everywhere he could find someone to listen to it.
His big break would come in 2001 when he moved to New York City. By participating in hip-hop clubs all over the city, Jin rose through the ranks despite his ethnic background and all the way to BET's Freestyle Fridays show. It was through many victories in the show that he gained national exposure and was offered a Ruff Ryders' contract in 2002 and was even dubbed, "The first Chinese/Asian rapper". From that point on, his music began to develop and advance but his image was fading. Jin would go on to release 4 albums and even 1 in full Chinese. His full Chinese album entitled, "ABC" introduces the Chinese world to what being an Asian American means to him and how identity has no boundaries even by country.
I hand picked a particular song by Jin which is dedicated to his grandfather that passed away in 2006. This song entitled, "Chinese Food" talks about his perspective on Asian America and it's progression and struggles that his family endured to achieve the American Dream. One thing I noticed in his vocals was his passion. I felt that he was very passionate about his cultural identity wasn't ashamed of it either.
Here's the rap:
My live has been likeOne long journey,
filled with a lot of ups, and definitely a lot of downs
Check it
I dedicate this verse here, to my grandfather
Who passed away earlier this year,
At his funeral I ran threw a whole box of tissues
My tears are dry, but I still miss you
And I promise that I'll never forget you
These last six bars just made it official
Yeah I know he can hear me,
Even though he don't speak English,
he can understand clearly,
What his grandson is trying to express(sigh)
It's tough, but I'm trying my best I remember as a kid just runnin' with him,
Every year I would spend a whole summer with him,
Visit him in the projects,
And he knew I was intrigued by them shiny objects
Cuttin' a Rolex out of magazine ad
Told me when I grow up, I could buy one for my dad,
So much energy like me quite clever,
These are memories I will treasure forever,
Every now and then I still shed a tear
Walking through Chinatown I feel his spirit in the air
For your legacy I go harder
Tell my kid that your great grandfather was a great grandfather,
But let me walk you to the timeline
Take you back to my pops and moms grind
They both immigrated to this country as teenagers,
You know, typical American dream chasers,
Immigrating blew up like disco,
Heads were movin' from New York and to Frisco,
My pops said, "NY, let's go,
"This was in the 70's when he used to rock a 'fro,
Bell bottoms, pimp hat with the tilted brim,
I've seen pictures and I still don't think it's him,
Fast forward to '82
That's when he met my moms, got married, and had a baby too
That baby's who?
That baby's me, Jin Au-Yeung,
My moms was wild young,
Only eighteen a senior in high school,
When I was eighteen, that was my school,
NMB, I'm a Charger for life,
I put that on every single bar that I write
Picture a young couple, tryin' to get on track
What are the options, a restaurant, a laundry mat?
So they went with plan A,
From that point on,
I was at the restaurant every damn day
But I was only twelve, I just wanted to play
When my friends would come,
I'd give the food away,
I know that's bad for business,
So I apologize now if it still makes a difference
I guess deep down,
I just hated the fact I felt trapped,
And that was my way of getting you back
I can't go back in time and I hate it
But I can't tell you your hard work is appreciated
See to the customer, that's just a plate of rice
But to my family, that shit could save a life
And this is more than Chinese food
It's a life story of a Chinese dude
And I ain't come here to tell you what to eat,
It's just food for thought over a beat
Nah, I ain't here to tell you what to eat
It's just food for thought over a beat
As a short response, I'm dedicating a poem to my late grandpa that paved the way for my big family.
My gramps was never rich but always happy,
But your presense in this land was not too shabby,
You raised us all as a cook,
You taught us all by the book,
I remember your hobby was playing mahjong,
I heard stories of your visits in Hong Kong,
it was there that you approved someone who wasn't so bad,
I'm fortunate to know that man would be my dad.
I always remembered you sitting by the TV,
understanding that achieving your American dream wasn't quite so easy,
Even though you're gone, I wanna let you know,
Your presence is still felt and I always let it show.
My mom still tells stories about your early American days,
Retaining your culture and traditional ways,
You will never be forgotten,
and I think of you everytime I'm on the corner of Clay and Stockton.
Grandma is always worried, so please look out for her,
She misses you so much, her words would end up slurred.
Thank you for taking care of me when I was young,
I hope I can be as great as you until my days are done.
In early 2004, I believed a dark cloud loomed over the Asian American community when American Idol reject, William Hung released an album. I believe that was one of the saddest days for mainstream Asian America. When William Hung was signed to a record label and produced a CD, I felt decades of struggles in eliminating negative stereotypes collapsing.
Shortly after the William Hung CD was released, Jin released his first CD, "The Rest Is History" and I was hooked after I listened to his first single, "Learn Chinese". At first, I felt it was something like an evolution for hip hop because we finally have a distinguished Asian person that earned his rightful contract after going undefeated in freestyle rap offs on BET.
Let me tell you a little about Jin.
Jin Au-Yeung was born in Miami, Florida and raised by two Asian American immigrants. Jin often mentions his roots being planted in America and how his family struggled to have the "American Dream". Jin became fascinated by hip-hop and rap back in the early 90's when rap was emerging as a dominating genre and culture in urban America. Jin developed a habit for freestyling and often tried to perfect it in high school, at work and literally everywhere he could find someone to listen to it.
His big break would come in 2001 when he moved to New York City. By participating in hip-hop clubs all over the city, Jin rose through the ranks despite his ethnic background and all the way to BET's Freestyle Fridays show. It was through many victories in the show that he gained national exposure and was offered a Ruff Ryders' contract in 2002 and was even dubbed, "The first Chinese/Asian rapper". From that point on, his music began to develop and advance but his image was fading. Jin would go on to release 4 albums and even 1 in full Chinese. His full Chinese album entitled, "ABC" introduces the Chinese world to what being an Asian American means to him and how identity has no boundaries even by country.
I hand picked a particular song by Jin which is dedicated to his grandfather that passed away in 2006. This song entitled, "Chinese Food" talks about his perspective on Asian America and it's progression and struggles that his family endured to achieve the American Dream. One thing I noticed in his vocals was his passion. I felt that he was very passionate about his cultural identity wasn't ashamed of it either.
Here's the rap:
My live has been likeOne long journey,
filled with a lot of ups, and definitely a lot of downs
Check it
I dedicate this verse here, to my grandfather
Who passed away earlier this year,
At his funeral I ran threw a whole box of tissues
My tears are dry, but I still miss you
And I promise that I'll never forget you
These last six bars just made it official
Yeah I know he can hear me,
Even though he don't speak English,
he can understand clearly,
What his grandson is trying to express(sigh)
It's tough, but I'm trying my best I remember as a kid just runnin' with him,
Every year I would spend a whole summer with him,
Visit him in the projects,
And he knew I was intrigued by them shiny objects
Cuttin' a Rolex out of magazine ad
Told me when I grow up, I could buy one for my dad,
So much energy like me quite clever,
These are memories I will treasure forever,
Every now and then I still shed a tear
Walking through Chinatown I feel his spirit in the air
For your legacy I go harder
Tell my kid that your great grandfather was a great grandfather,
But let me walk you to the timeline
Take you back to my pops and moms grind
They both immigrated to this country as teenagers,
You know, typical American dream chasers,
Immigrating blew up like disco,
Heads were movin' from New York and to Frisco,
My pops said, "NY, let's go,
"This was in the 70's when he used to rock a 'fro,
Bell bottoms, pimp hat with the tilted brim,
I've seen pictures and I still don't think it's him,
Fast forward to '82
That's when he met my moms, got married, and had a baby too
That baby's who?
That baby's me, Jin Au-Yeung,
My moms was wild young,
Only eighteen a senior in high school,
When I was eighteen, that was my school,
NMB, I'm a Charger for life,
I put that on every single bar that I write
Picture a young couple, tryin' to get on track
What are the options, a restaurant, a laundry mat?
So they went with plan A,
From that point on,
I was at the restaurant every damn day
But I was only twelve, I just wanted to play
When my friends would come,
I'd give the food away,
I know that's bad for business,
So I apologize now if it still makes a difference
I guess deep down,
I just hated the fact I felt trapped,
And that was my way of getting you back
I can't go back in time and I hate it
But I can't tell you your hard work is appreciated
See to the customer, that's just a plate of rice
But to my family, that shit could save a life
And this is more than Chinese food
It's a life story of a Chinese dude
And I ain't come here to tell you what to eat,
It's just food for thought over a beat
Nah, I ain't here to tell you what to eat
It's just food for thought over a beat
As a short response, I'm dedicating a poem to my late grandpa that paved the way for my big family.
My gramps was never rich but always happy,
But your presense in this land was not too shabby,
You raised us all as a cook,
You taught us all by the book,
I remember your hobby was playing mahjong,
I heard stories of your visits in Hong Kong,
it was there that you approved someone who wasn't so bad,
I'm fortunate to know that man would be my dad.
I always remembered you sitting by the TV,
understanding that achieving your American dream wasn't quite so easy,
Even though you're gone, I wanna let you know,
Your presence is still felt and I always let it show.
My mom still tells stories about your early American days,
Retaining your culture and traditional ways,
You will never be forgotten,
and I think of you everytime I'm on the corner of Clay and Stockton.
Grandma is always worried, so please look out for her,
She misses you so much, her words would end up slurred.
Thank you for taking care of me when I was young,
I hope I can be as great as you until my days are done.
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