The (Overseas) Asian American Artist
It’s well known, at least within the Asian American community, that many of our sisters and brothers move to Asia to pursue careers in acting and music. Personally, I had the great fortune of growing up in Philadelphia with Tim Hwang, who in the past decade has released two hit albums in South Korea. In the Hip Hop world, Jin has released an all-Cantonese album and frequently tours in Asia. And it seems that Boston-bred rapper Snacky Chan is increasingly traveling to and performing in South Korea.
In Tim Hwang’s situation, I know that he was discovered by talent scouts from South Korea and he wasn’t the first nor the last. There is big demand for Korean American artists in South Korea. Talent scouts liked Tim because, aside from being young and handsome, he is bilingual and bicultural.
However the decision for Tim and other Asian American artists to move overseas isn’t necessarily an expression of preference for Asia, the catering of talent scouts, nor the offer of lucrative deals. Rather I believe most of them are moving because it continues to be quite difficult for Asian American artists to breakout in the United States. I think a lot of them want a successful career in the United States as it promises worldwide exposure and credibility.
After winning his legendary battles on BET’s 106th&Park, Jin focused his efforts in the U.S/Canadian market. But after three albums of moderate success, marketed to both the mainstream and independent hip hop scene in the English speaking world, it seems that his efforts have steered toward Asia with the release of the “No Sleep til Shanghai” DVD and all-Cantonese album, “ABC (American Born Chinese).”
Jin’s efforts between the United States and Asia is the story of numerous Asian Americans who live as transnationalists, which is complex to understand and experience. I’m sure it’s not entirely detrimental—there is obvious luxury in traveling-but it’s probably very frustrating in the career development of an artist. It should be natural that home turf, where you are born or bred, will promise an advantage and where one should start to build one’s base. But that logic seems to defy the Asian American experience.
Callin’ out DJs and librarians: where should we put albums like “ABC (American Born Chinese)?”
Tags: Commentary, hip hop.
Man this is one of those things, stretching back to Bruce Lee. Born in the States, grew up in Hong Kong, but was living here and could not get a second look so he released all these films in Asia and his legend grew. He did all these pro-Chinese movies, beating up Americans, Australians, Japanese, Koreans, British, so Chinese audiences would love him, but in real life, these were all his friends. And what he really wanted was acceptance with American audiences.
But Bruce created the marketing plan, it’s just been replicated now. There’s often space for an Asian American artist to crossover to Asia, but basically impossible for them to cross back over here. Coco Lee was a big star in Asia, and when she was about to drop her first American album, there was buzz how she would be the first to blow, and I don’t even remember if it came out. It may have just flopped or it may never have been released…
I bet it has partially to do with the industry, and partially to do with just white people in general being haters.