September 03, 2008

Jin: Let's go back to the 'ABC'

By Cheryl Leong

Born in Miami, Florida, Jin Au-Yeung, better known simply as Jin, has come a long way. Rising from the ashes of freestyle rap battles as the only Asian around, this aspiring MC quickly gained a huge reputation and following for his clever freestyle lyrics.

Signed to Ruff Ryders record in 2002, Jin released his debut album The Rest Is History in 2004, and the infectious single "Learn Chinese" was the first video to be played on MTV Chi.

Jin decided to fly solo in 2005, and thus left the Ruff Ryders label, instead putting out CDs the old-fashioned, indie way. In 2007, ABC was released in the U.S. 2008 seemed to bode well for the glib rapster, as he landed a deal with Universal Music Hong Kong, and has recently concluded a promotional tour in Hong Kong, for ABC as well.

MTV Asia settles down for a chat with Jin, where he shares some of his dual (or not) identities, and even proceeds to give us a little rap introduction as a treat.

Going back to when it all began, what was it about Hip-hop that first inspired your rapping dreams?

Jin: I was a fan of Hip-hop first, meaning when I first got into it, I didn't have thoughts of wanting to be a rap star or getting a record deal. I just loved the music. When I was about 12 or 13, my ears got exposed to Rap, and the thing that struck me about it was that it didn't sound like anything else. It was really hard, and the energy was so crazy. As I got older, I started to learn not only what the rappers were rapping about, but the culture: MC-ing, DJ-ing, B Boys, graffiti, etc. And once I realized "Wow this is Hip-hop culture," I was in love. And Hip-hop just absolutely changed my life.


Like in what ways?

Jin: Oh in so many ways. From the moment I learned about Hip-hop and what it was, it became my passion. Up until now, there're only a couple of things I really care about in my life. One, my family, of course, and my friends. And the other thing is Hip-Hop. I will always love Hip-hop, because from the years since it started as a hobby to a career, it has taught me everything I know about life. The way Hip-hop unifies different people, who wouldn't get along usually, but is brought together by a common love for it. And then on the career side, it's taught me about determination, dedication, having dreams and faith, being disappointed. You either be like, "That's it? Sigh" or you be like "Tomorrow's another day, and I'll just start over." All of this, in some ways, is related to Hip-hop, and that's what my life revolves around.


Being an Asian in a predominantly Black music genre, what are some of the challenges, or advantages if any, that you've faced?

Jin: The one disadvantage I've always encountered is that sometimes people make a judgment before they hear anything, and go like, "Oh he's Chinese. Who's ever heard of a Chinese rapper?" But of course, that's ten years ago. Now people are more open-minded. They'd go, "Whoa. I don't know. He might be good. Let's see." So this would be one disadvantage, with people prejudging you before you do anything. But then again, that same thing can also be an advantage because they'll underestimate me. Back in the days, before I even say anything, people would go, "Oh this is going to be a piece of cake." And then once I start doing my thing, everybody in the crowd is like, "Oh that's crazy!"


You mentioned on your website that ABC is an album that isn't so much about 'beats and rhythms' as it is about your 'identity.' Could you elaborate on how this sense of identity is expressed through the album?

Jin: Why ABC is so much about my identity, and so reflective of it, is because you have me doing something everybody knows me for doing already, but in Cantonese. It's my first Cantonese album, and that right there is unique. But it doesn't just have to be unique, the music also has to be good, which is important to me as an artist. I really appreciate and am proud of the final product because I think that I was able to convey the message that I wanted to put out there.

Beyond that, being ABC (American-born Chinese) is a big part of my identity. Just growing up in America as an Asian-American, you've got to be very aware of who you are. My birth certificate says 'born in the United States of America.' But a part of society will still look at me as a foreigner. Like, "Go back to China." But I'm like, "What do you mean, go back to China? I'm American. I was born here." And on the other hand, when I go to Hong Kong or China or whatever, there will be a part of that society that will say, "You're not a Chinese. You're American. You don't know about Chinese culture." It can leave anyone, not just me, in that situation, feeling like "what the...." To me it's a very important album for myself, because every single time I listen to it now, it reinforces my decision of who I am, in my mind. My conclusion is that, "I know who I am, and this is who I am. If you don't know who I am, then s**** you." Not to be rude, of course, but that's just it.


Do you think this dual identity kind of fuels your inspiration?

Jin: It's not a dual identity. It looks like it, but it isn't, because it's the same person. Like for example, I'll ask you, "Are you a human or are you a woman?" You know what I mean? You can't answer! You're not one more than the other. "Are you more human or are you more woman?" You'd be like, "What... What do you mean?!" So that's how I approach my identity.


Why did you decide to record an album entirely in Cantonese? Do you worry that it might not reach out to as many listeners out there?

Jin: No. There're so many other things to worry about in life. Gas prices, global warming, my sister starting college which will cost a lot of money, taking care of my parents, myself. I'm not the young 19-year old Jin anymore. I'm 26, and growing up, a bit. So at some point, I want to start my own family. These are things to worry about. [Laughs] So worrying about putting an album out in Cantonese and it not reaching people, that's like the last thing I'm worried about. In fact, doing this album and having it allow me to go back to Hong Kong to explore and develop my career, has been the most incredible two and a half months in the recent years for me, as far as being an artist is concerned. It's almost like a fresh start.


The thing I'm really curious about is, how you're able to come up with lines that rhyme so perfectly on the spot? How do you even know that it's going to?

Jin: I have no explanation for that. For me, it's something that I've been doing for ten years plus. I bet when I first started, I was horrible. I don't remember but... [Laughs] I'm pretty sure I was. I'm not even going to say that I'm one of the best right now. If people think highly of me as one of the best freestyle rapper, thank you very much. I really appreciate it.


Who is one person you've always wanted to do a collaboration with?

Jin: Aww it's so hard to just say one. I don't want to say the one, and that eliminates all the others that I want to. If we were just talking about Hip-Hop rappers, Jay-Z and Nas. But that's like, the obvious answers.


Before we end off, how about doing a little freestyle introduction of yourself, for those who still aren't aware of who Jin is?

Jin: Oh wow. You're going to write it out? Awww... But alright then.

"You want me to freestyle?
Well, then I'll just go.
But if you write it down in text,
Then it loses the flow.
It's okay,
Just s'long as the readers know,
That Jin is Hip-Hop,
A 100% fo'sho.
Who the heck is Jin?
Sometimes I ask myself the same question.
But I look in the mirror,
And realize that's a blessing.
Cause Hip-hop has taught me,
So many different lessons.
Like going back to the original question,
Who is Jin?
And what's ma ID?
Hip-Hop to the one-thousandth degree.
Yeah, that's me."

There you go!


Continue following the escapades of Jin at jininhk.com.