To idolize Tiger Woods.

Currently Listening to: Living Legends – Creative Differences

Yesterday was Paid Dues. I am not as in tune with independent Hip Hop as I thought I was. I apologize to Chase and Caroline for forgetting and being so late, especially missing Blu and Exile, which is why both Chase and I probably wanted to go to Paid Dues anyway. It was really really great to see Atmosphere, he’s freaking AMAZING live. If you get the chance to see him, you truly are blessed. Equally amazing are Grouch and Eligh from Living Legends (they got Paul Dateh on on one of their tracks), Living Legends as a collective group, Brother Ali, and Tech N9ne (if you’re into Tech N9ne). Not that impressive? Slaughterhouse. Crooked I visited CMC for a Hip Hop conference earlier this year and was well spoken and eloquent, he was decent on stage and had a quick freestyle that was pretty freaking good. HOWEVER. Slaughterhouse is a collective group of 4 rappers, and Joe Budden was messed up out of his mind. They wouldn’t stop talking. They almost got booed/kind of did get booed. Anyway

I was watching the Arnold Palmer Invitational final round today and just watching Tiger play at the level he played today makes me happy.  I couldn’t breathe for two straight hours.  It’s been 8 long months and he couldn’t have come back at a better time.   I know many people will say that it was Sean O’Hair choking, but here’s how I see it.  Sean O’Hair can’t help but choke because Tiger’s right there lurking in the same group as him.  If Tiger wasn’t there, I think O’Hair would have hit 70 and putt a par to win while Tiger was sitting in the clubhouse. Also, it wasn’t like Tiger didn’t sink two amazing putts on the 15 and the 18 to put him there.  You can’t make this stuff up.

Just Tiger being Tiger.

To criticize Epik High.

Currently Listening to: Atmosphere – Puppets

What a weekend.. It was great to catch up with Leo and Chris and hang out for a bit.  See you all in a couple weeks/months.

Friday, I got some pretty cool news from FM, and I’m kind of working on a new project involving Epik High and FM.  It sounds important, but it really isn’t super important.  It will probably lead to something important, but what I’m working on, not so much… I’m just an intern.

So I got around to listening to the new Epik High album, Map the Soul and it’s pretty good.  There aren’t any tracks that are exceptionally mind blowing, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good.  It’s nice to see them do stuff in English; if any group could make it across the Pacific, it should be Epik High and Utada, and not BoA and Se7en.

One track caught my attention though; it isn’t even a song but a skit: Customer Service, was a play off language barriers between an obvious Chinese/Chinese American person and the Epik High guys (who are Korean, but I think two of them speak very fluent English).  Listen to it here.

It begs the question that’s been posed before here, addressed by Yan of 8Asians and my friend Irene, who writes in her blog, little ideas/braveandkind.  This is an obvious play off Russell Peters and, in my belief, plays off an ignorant portrayal of Chinese that I consider pretty offensive.  I’m not so much pissed off at most of their responses because artists do these kind of skits all the time, but their use of an obvious language barrier, and the portrayal of that man.

Irene showed me this post on racialicious, which criticizes Russell Peters for stepping over the.. well I guess it should be called the racial sensitivity line.  It claims that the jokes lack a punchline become inappropriate and inadequate blows at certain behavior and stereotypes of a certain group of people.

I think this crosses the line.  There was no punchline, and the joke is the man on the other side of the phone, which represents the rest of the Chinese American community.  It reaffirms two beliefs for me.  That a) the line is ridiculously gray and is dependent upon very vague and unspecific guidelines of both race and humor and b) that the term Asian American is way too broad.  AngryAsianMan’s most recent Angry reader of the week is Tanzila Ahmed, and she criticizes those “Folks doing APIA work that doesn’t include South Asian or Pacific Islander groups, but still [claim] that they are pan-APIA.”  I don’t make that claim, but I should and am going to start to be more aware (the first step was to visit her community blog Sepia Mutiny).

My friend Chris, who visited Japan last summer, told me a story where in Japan, when they go to the K-town of Tokyo and there is a blatant and intrinsic dehumanizing and hatred towards Koreans… Apparently all Korean cooks/restaurant owners/waiters are “Mr. Kim” in Japan.

So should we start independent struggles and fights for social justice? No.  But there should be a greater awareness of the cultural differences between the sub categories of “Asian American.”  Does that mean I hate Epik High or, like Tommy Brothers, think that they are “racist?” No, they have great music, and the average citizen of the world could care less and would probably scoff at this post, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t wrong.

- Kevin

To. OHHH YEAHHH!

Currently Listening to: Blu and Exile – Blue Colla Workers.

http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/26/asian-american-is-spokesman-for-west-point-group-fighting-dont-ask-dont-tell/

To just praise Beau Sia

Currently Listening to: Utada Hikaru -Come Back to Me

I really like Utada’s new album, This is the One, it’s a good combination of poppy and slow tracks, and while I won’t put it next to Ne-Yo’s Year of the Gentleman, I think the styles are similar and both albums have the same flow and similar pacing.  I just think Ne-Yo’s is a bit better (it’d be number 3 for the Album of the Year after In Rainbows and The Cool)

Oh yeh. Keri Hilson and Pac Div have new cd’s out now too.  I’ve only listened to bits and pieces, but they’re goooooood.  JUST ANOTHER DAY OUT IN SUNNY LA!

Paid Dues is in less than 12 days and I’m excited to see the likes of Atmosphere and Blu and Exile… Rumor has it that Pharcyde is going to show up as well… but the sickest gathering of talent this year was definitely at South by Southwest aka SXSW.  I mean just to show what I mean.

Asher Roth x Cool Kids – Black Mags + I Love College

WHHHATTT??! creds go to FSD.

Onto what I’m posting about soon.

My last post was about Beau Sia.  He’s great. really really freaking great. so here’s some more.

To just recollect.

Currently Listening to: Blue Scholars – North by Northwest

I’m having a crisis with my morals, identity, and values right now.  It’s sort of troubling and I feel sort of small as a result of it.  It came pretty suddenly because I realized how out of tune I am with certain issues, and how I sort of see things without really looking at them in depth.  Suddenly I feel really self conscious.  It’s the first time in a long time, maybe ever, that I’ve ever felt that I’m flirting with a moral gray line.

It comes from Irene and how I interpreted the Tommy Brothers incident, coupling it with Russell Peters.  Read about it here. I started to ask whether or not I was aware enough of my surroundings, and of how I interpret things in every day life. I pick up racist/sexist/homophobic/class-ist things but I’m starting to think my filter has holes in it. It’s coupled with the following, and just how I’m dealing with perhaps a gender/moral gray line.

Again, I have to source back to 8Asians.com, which is a great blog with a lot of views and opinions.  Here’s the post. It was about ISA and how there isn’t enough female representation at ISA.  My contention is that ISA represents a huge stepping stone for the APA entertainment community, and to just jump in as a random artist, simply because you’re female, does more harm than good.  FM/WF have worked for years and put in a lot of effort to be where they are, to sell out that concert…  isn’t it unfair to just prop up a woman next to them because she’s a woman?  Shouldn’t she have to work as hard as they have to be with a crowd that obviously went to see them and those that have worked with them?  To be fair, my diction might not adequately reflect that idea.  But is this  idea wrong?  I mean is that thought, for the lack of a better word, bad?  I’m starting to think that I’m overstepping boundaries I’ve promised never to cross and that I’m doing and saying things that I believe in but could be morally and socially wrong.

The thing I hate about bipartisan politics is that they split groups into two entities.  Like, I am a bit more conservative economically than the average Democrat.

And I am not so into Affirmative Action as most liberals are.  I guess it traces to the way I was raised … the Chinese American/Asian American/Asian Confucian ideology of meritocracy.  I understand the benefits of Affirmative Action, but I don’t like what it entails;  I don’t like the fact that I, or you, have to be given a spot and that I might not have deserved it and that someone better suited might not get that position because I am Asian and he isn’t.  I don’t like that I am playing on an uneven field.  I don’t like that people can blame it on Affirmative Action when I did deserve that position.  It is mine because I EARNED it and not because of the color of my skin or my gender (err. yours).

The best mentor/nicest person in the world, Hanna, just showed me something by slam poet Beau Sia.  Here’s a couple clips of his, but watch the first one, cause it kind of fits into what I’m talking about.

Oh yeah, here’s a FEMALE.. Ishle Park, doing her thing because, yes she’s talented, but she’s also worked to get to, oh hey, the same show that Beau Sia was on. (I remain adamant in my beliefs, I just don’t know if that belief is inherently wrong. I’m going to stick with it, but if I’m sexist because of it… well that’s what I’m struggling with.)

- Kevin

To praise Tim Lincecum.

Currently Listening to: Lil’ Wayne – Receipt

I was watching Japan play Korea yesterday, and it was great.  The entire APA community got into it, trying to connect with its roots.  Not only did America not make it through, but no American country got through, and while one was the defending champ, I don’t think anyone expected both Korea and Japan to make it past the superpowers of USA, Puerto Rico, D.R… etc. etc.  The reliever for Japan (that blew a save but got a win in the 10th) was Yu Darvish, who has long been heralded as the next Daisuke.   You have to admit he has a sick breaking ball.

It got me thinking about my favorite pitchers and stuff.  You have K-Rod and Papelbon with thier violent deliveries, and then guys like Maddux or Wang who deliver with wit and finesse.  And then you have guys like Tim Lincecum

When I was in Taiwan this last summer, I brought a couple magazines with me… EGM, Economists, the good same ol’ same ol’.  The one I read the most, was that issue of SI with Tim Lincecum on the cover, where we learn about the NL Cy Young’s winner path to glory.  As a Dodgers fan, I do despise the Giants, but you can’t help but love Tim Lincecum, this kid who’s probably smaller and skinnier than every player in the Major Leagues down to single A.  I must’ve read that article by Tom Verducci three four times, it was great.  The science behind his mechanics, and just how someone his size can throw 95+ mph is ridiculous.

I just wanted to share, so here is the article.

- Kevin

To watch Kings.

Currently Listening to: The Cool Kids – Bassment Party

I realized that I compact a lot of information into a post when I should make multiple posts, but it’s just too much of a hassle so I don’t.

To start, there’s this really good post about why Mark Zuckerberg is doing the things he’s doing to Facebook.  Check it out here, and told be honest… I’m sold.  I don’t like the new Facebook, but I understand why it is what it is.  To be frank, if you don’t like the product, stop using it.

To get on point, one of the prized Sunday night slots on NBC is now filled by the retelling of the story of King David into a new drama, Kings.  There are a bunch of pretty people who do this and that replicating David’s rise to become the head of the Kingdom of Gilboa/Israel (Gilboa was where King Saul died and the name of the Kingdom in the show… Saul is now Silas).  The whole cast is there.. Michal, Samuel, David, Saul… etc. etc coupled with modern politican drama/conspiracy (like a corporation controlling politics from the shadow, potential patricide and so on)  I think its really good and everyone should go check it out.  It’s replacing my “BSG” time slot over the weekend.

BTW.  I just realized that BSG aired on fridays, just goes to show, nerds and geeks don’t go out on a friday night (I usually watch it on sunday night, assholes.)  Still, there are a lot of people who aren’t into sci-fi that watched it.  It really was a true success.

Last but not least, I had another post about Joe Jonas chinky eye incident, and how Disney had to step its game up, but I decided not to post about it because I’m just sick of giving Miley and the Jonas Brothers so much time and space on my blog.

- Kevin

To update about Spring Break.

Currently Listening to: Jonathan Larson/RENT/Rosario Dawson + Adam Pascal – Another Day

So, a lot has gone on.  I picked up the golf sticks for the first time in like 9 months and went to the range and did pretty well.  I got to meet some people, which was fun.  Still, I’m always going to be an outsider here at SM cause I left after my freshman year, and sometime I just miss hanging out with some Milton people, they all seem to be on the east coast, it’s kind of sad.

I also started reading Asian American X and it’s really motivating.  I’m applying for APAM Head Mentor (I haven’t made my final decision yet, but I have the application done) and I found some good stories for group discussions.  The more I think about Asian American issues at CMC, the less competent APAM looks because it isn’t an adequate venue for such discussions.  I really want to see if I can jumpstart a new movement towards developing an Asian American social program at CMC.  I think the problem is that a) it failed like 3 years ago, but also b) there isn’t enough interest because people care too much about other things, which is fair.  I’ll see how things go, perhaps next year.

Killzone 2 is great, but to save some money, I returned it with no dent to my wallet.  Great great used game program Gamespot/EB games has.  I’ll probably get it again over the summer, the online compenent is RIDICULOUSLY FUN!

Also, I’ve only watched like two or three musicals in my life, the Lion King (professionally done), A Chorus Line (Milton), Wiz (SM) but I don’t remember any of them, even though the last two I watched like 3/4 years ago.  I really wanted to watch Rent, which closed last September, and I didn’t want to watch the movie because it apparently didn’t do the musical justice.   The DVD for the last Rent Broadway show  is out, kind of, and so I watched it and I’m obsessed/sad I didn’t get to see it live.  I’m even more sad that I didn’t get to see it with the original cast.  Even more so, I dled the Rent Movie Soundtrack and am obsessed with Rosario Dawson’s voice.   Oh. And I’m obsessed I didn’t get to see NPH as Mark.  Even though he parodied it in SNL.  NPH rules.

My bracket is doomed, don’t even talk to me about NCAA BBall anymore.

To give props to Talib.

Currently Listening to: The Cool Kids – Gold and a Pager

This is SICK

Talib is my hero. FM are my heroes. Like. WOW. props to Mikey Fresh for getting the word out.  Miss Info and Mikey Fresh are my heroes. hahaha

check it out.

man I’m excited

check out the Idle Warship remix here.

If you guys like the track, make sure you vote for it out for Power 106’s top 7 at 7. LINK HERE

- Kevin

That Asian music is different from Asian American music.

Currently Listening to: Radiohead – Karma Police

There are currently three maybe four artists who are trying to cross over the Pacific from Korea/Japan to make it big in the States.  The first is BoA, the artist that was featured at Kollaboration and Korean superstar that also made it big across the sea of Japan. Same story with  Se7en (save the Kollaboration part), who is arguably the male counterpart to BoA, bringing a more hip-hop/RnB feel in his music.  I’m pretty sure Plan C Group is involved one way or another with the cross over of Se7en to America.  The third is Utada Hikaru, aka Utada in the US, the biggest selling artist in all of Asia and the only one, I think, without a thick accent in her songs.  Her album is the only one I’ll probably listen too, but knowing the pressures around me, I’ll probably have to listen to the others ones sooner than later.

The last one is Rain, Korean superstar that was featured with Stephen Colbert in a dance battle.  Great stuff.  Still Rain hasn’t announced or started producing a legitimate English language album and probably won’t with all his legal troubles.  The other three have albums coming within what seems like weeks of each other.

If you look deep enough (and I’m way too lazy to link today) Utada, BoA, and Se7en all have roots within the US/the West, albeit small ones.  Rumor had it that BoA was going to be Cho Chang all the way back when Goblet of Fire was in production, but I think JK Rowling had a clause in the contract that all performers had to be English so it got shot down.  BoA’s album is comprable to whatever Britney Spears has done in the last year or so.  Britney actually helped write a song on the new album.  So that’s the mindset.  BoA = Britney.

Se7en has been featured in America since ‘06, crashing on songs by Amerie, and collabs with the likes of Fabolous and Three 6 Mafia.  His new MV just came out with Lil’ Kim.  All recognizable names for those who follow hip hop and rnb.

Utada’s worked with Ne-Yo, and her first cross album, Exodus, stank because it was creatively dictated by corperate execs who thought they could change Utada/had to change her for her to succeed in US.  /slap stfu.  you changed one of my favorite artists and I still haven’t been able to fully regain my faith in her since Exodus.  Her new album is true to her Japanese music, which was featured in the likes of Kingdom Hearts.  Yeah. That Utada.

Here’s my point.  These guys, they aren’t representative of the Asian American culture.  Save Utada, these guys all have thick accents that will ONLY attract Asian Americans.  BoA and Se7en can NOT succeed because they are DISTINCTLY asian and NOT Asian American.  People like FM not because of their skin, but because they can associate themselves with the American culture.  Their music is not specific to the Asian American identity.  It is distinctly AMERICAN.

It’s like what I said on my second post.  If I head to Asia, I am distinctly AMERICAN. If they come to America, they are distinctly ASIAN.  NOT ASIAN AMERICAN.  The only things working for them are crappy lyrics, a fanbase focused on their Asian stuff, and some beats.  Sure, that’s worked and sold multi platinum albums, but do you honestly see this happening to someone who is so seemingly different in 2009?  You might work with Britney Spears, but you, BoA, AREN’T Britney.

The worst thing is that people are loving it.  All the APA blogs are eating up Se7en, BoA, and Utada like no other.  I honestly think Utada is the only who stands a fighting chance through a legitimate grassroots campaign because her music has a soul and spirit that BoA and Se7en don’t have.

Look, stop trying to promote those who have succeeded in the motherland.  It is time to promote artists like Mayda, Susie Suh (oh where did you go dearest Susie), Jazmin, Far*East Movement, David Choi, Jane Lui, and Kina Grannis.  I mean come on.. Kiwi, Blue Scholars, and Kero One?  They represent not only the Asian American struggle, but the cultural struggle of all social minorities.  These artists have that connection with Asian American market, but more importantly, they can cross over to the WHOLE American market.  Its the same with MIA.  MIA isn’t from Asia, she was raised in the UK.  I mean that’s what you need.  If you spent as much money marketing these three as maybe six of these artists, chances are you’ll succeed.  Until then.

These songs by Utada, BoA, and Se7en will probably catch fire, but I mean, can you see BoA or Se7en on TRL, doing an interview without the rest of America snickering??  Does TRL still exist?

- Kevin