Learn Some Chinese, Yo

The "first Chinese rapper" Jin has released his first single, "Learn Chinese," and the video is on his site. Now, as part of Gothamist has actually had to learn Chinese (twice), we looked at the lyrics:

I ain't ya 50 Cent, I ain't ya Enimem
I ain't ya Jigga Man, I'm a chinaman
Ginseng in the palm of my hand
...
What's the commotion, you never seen me?
The original chinky eye emcee

"Chinkey eye emcee." This reminds Gothamist of the "let's order some chink food" incident of 1995, where the eternal "You can't say [racial slur that can be used colloquially] if you're not [race of slur] debate" reared it's head. But Jin ain't 50, Eminem, or Jigga Man, but he was shot at few weeks ago in Chinatown, so that solidifies his rapper cred (what the inclusion of Wyclef in the video does for his cred is debatable, though). Gothamist anticipates some crises of conscience for Asian parents in predominantly white suburbs, when their children argue that they need to listen to Jin because he's representing their culture. Reader Ed wasn't sure if this was a step forward or backward for Asians, but wonders if Jin couldn't have a "better looking skanky asian import car model" for the video. Heh. Gothamist loves our readers. Anyway, learning Chinese is not always easier: There are four tones in Mandarin and eight in Cantonese to master.

MTV on Jin.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on December 11, 2003 12:13 PM

Comments [rss]

sc927

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chip

Its really time that more djs in Beijing and Shanghai started making their own music anyway, jeez anyone can mix and they are.

Suppose the real test is who can come up with their own beats now that everyone and their gran is a dj.

Susan

Bass in yo face

alpha

meng qi and beijing bass are ballistic

zippo zappo

Its a global community these days and its refreshing to see some real dance music coming outta Beijing. Its been too long.

Coolaid

Noticin that Beijing Bass is scoring 9/10 in the Mp unsigned site and it aint about color, people!

Coolaid

Noticin that Beijing Bass is scoring 9/10 in the Mp unsigned site and it aint about color, people!

Dutch-Chino

diao that Jinny from US, he is a f@ke chino! the REAL chino's are from HOLLAND! AMSTERDAM CHINATOWN ASIANSIDE!

coolas coolante

Buff, me checked the wesite and for real the Beijing Bass crew might be droppin' some tuffness judging by the versatility. Who the F+++ are they, dey sh___ is tuff'n'ruff.

steve

Jin rocks ! I saw a site by a British cat called "BEIJING BASS" with some mad phat Chinese flavoured beats on it.

val

umm yeh when ppl classify him as thh "first chinese rapper," they mean he's the first to be known in the American music industry ..unlike jay, energy or lmf .. yeh jin is pretty tite n i'm really proud to see him on mtv n stuf ..but i agree that he should learn 2 pronounce cantonese before reppin' his "chinese-ness." Yeh this is a step foward for chinese people n whoever thinks otherwise can get fu*ked cos jinz hella tite

J

is he from hk? just wondering since when pplz talk about chinese its ususally mandarin not cantonese

Crystal Price

I think this is totally GREAT that we have a new culture. Good luck to all the other people who are trying things that people would not consider for them. Asian music is so GREAT!!!

Crystal Price

I think this is totally GREAT that we have a new culture. Good luck to all the other people who are trying things that people would not consider for them. Asian music is so GREAT!!!

Phil

Im an abc and speak it fluently, there's nothing wrong with his cantonese, maybe yall speak po tung wah or gwok yue?

azn_stylez_o8

Jin is a a.b.c. his pronouciations might have been a bit off but its understandable. his flows are great! he's representing his azn pridee and the all the a.b.c's .. just appricate it..

JT

I'm Cantonese and I moved to the U.S. from Hong Kong when I was 10. Jin's cantonese was fine in that song. Unless there was more to the cantonese he put in besides the 'fuh-ai dee jhou ah' and some other words that he dumped in here and there in the lyrics.

EC

Jin is a real rapper

Jeschocolate

A friend of mine gave me this a mixed CD and Jin was on it. I think his flow is pretty tight. I do think he can add some more substance to his lyrics. Asians have been known to be more in tune with science and the universe. I would expect to hear more conscious lyrics. But overall, I like the song. I don't speak cantonese or mandarin so it all sounds good to me. I was not familiar with chinese rappers but know that I know there are more out there, I am going to check into it.

Just to let everyone know..I am a sista..Yes...pure chocolate.

I like Jin and look forward to hearing more from him in the future.