LOL at "racism". Racism is not the excuse for everything, Bruno Mars is Asian and looks it. An Asian could easily smash in the US, they just need the right music and major label push. Where are the Asian underground artists trying to take off on Soundcloud or Youtube? Is the music any good?
Bruno Mars is half Filipino and is arguably the biggest male pop star.
We've had other Asian/mixed Asian artists with at least some mainstream success. Jhene Aiko (half Japanese), Amerie (half Korean), Nicole Scherzinger (half Filipino), Sean Paul (half Chinese-Jamaican), Jay Sean (Indian), Norah Jones (half Indian), Rozonda "Chili" Thomas (half Indo-Guyanese), and Nicki Minaj (half Indo-Trinidadian).
Having more mainstream representation outside of Far East Movement and Psy would be great. I'd love to see Charice and Jessica Sanchez have more success.
I am very happy about the success of Bruno and Nicki, who are both half-Asian, but I can't help but feel that they are not very representative of Asian-Americans.
It's like if Mariah Carey were the only black pop star, and people cited her to say "see, pop music isn't racist, mariah Carey has part black ancestry and is successful!"
LOL at "racism". Racism is not the excuse for everything, Bruno Mars is Asian and looks it. An Asian could easily smash in the US, they just need the right music and major label push. Where are the Asian underground artists trying to take off on Soundcloud or Youtube? Is the music any good?
This one I can't believe they're not here yet!....
Im here for some Eastern Asian Lookin "American Born-American Raised-English Native" " Pop singer
I am very happy about the success of Bruno and Nicki, who are both half-Asian, but I can't help but feel that they are not very representative of Asian-Americans.
It's like if Mariah Carey were the only black pop star, and people cited her to say "see, pop music isn't racist, mariah Carey has part black ancestry and is successful!"
I absolutely agree with you. While I don't believe Asian Americans are dying to have a pop star of the same background in mainstream American music, I do also believe it would bring a much needed change to the scene.
Going through the thread, I realized that a lot of Asian pop stars don't attempt to crossover in the US market because they already have a large fan base in their home country, other parts of Asia, and migrant communities around the world.
I'm mostly familiar with South Asian music and Filipino music to an extent. The South Asian diaspora reaches 6 different continents, so when an artist from India puts out music and it's popular, they can tour all over the place, hitting select cities. That's what artists from India and Pakistan have been doing for years. Even Bollywood actors have stage shows yearly and they perform in North America/European cities with large South Asian populations.
The Filipino community is big in Oceania, the Middle East, British Columbia, Texas, Nevada, Illinois, New England, and the Pacific states. A lot of Filipino artists will go to these markets and make their money without even bothering to sign to a major record label here in the States.
I am very happy about the success of Bruno and Nicki, who are both half-Asian, but I can't help but feel that they are not very representative of Asian-Americans.
It's like if Mariah Carey were the only black pop star, and people cited her to say "see, pop music isn't racist, mariah Carey has part black ancestry and is successful!"
Agreed, despite their ancestry, Bruno and Nicki are both seen as black more than anything, especially Nicki.
What is totally absent is an East-Asian pop star, and I think it is undoubtedly racism to blame. Westerners, I think Americans in particular, struggle to see East Asian looking people as anything except for weird or nerdy.
Or even in Europe. Because k-pop/j-pop artists are boring and generic. No artistic personality at all.
Agreed. I can't think of a Korean equivalent to Nicki Minaj or Miley Cyrus. Most K-pop artists maintain a good relationship with their fans but I fail to think of a singer that has a real personality. Feel free to provide any example though.
You guys are so ****ing ignorant, get over yourselves.
Who are you to accuse me of being ignorant? I am from Asia and I have been exposed to K-pop more than you ****ing do. 90% of K-pop is boring. **** you and get over yourself.
Quote:
Originally posted by Dynamo
Asian groups sis Kpop/Jpop/Cpop solo artists are incredibly talented and diverse.
Some Examples :
I hope you're referring to Chinese Pop not Cantonese Pop, because the latter is utter ****. J-pop has great music though. (The fact that you chose three J-pop singers proved my point.)
Not the usuals trying to pretend Bruno Mars is an "Asian" pop star when most people think he's black.
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Originally posted by JLO_FeEN
Should I pull the racism card every time someone calls J.Lo, "J.Ho"? You really make no sense. You are trying really hard and it shows.
And WP away sis. You will just be wasting your time anyway.
How is turning "Lo" into a derogatory word for women rooted in racism? If anyone tries too hard, it's always you.
Why would I be wasting my time when you're getting the WPs? You must be so proud of your racism.
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Originally posted by Mickey
Bruno Mars being American isn't the point here, the point is the Bruno passes as non-Asian, just like Freddie Mercury did. Also same with Amerie, Nicole Scherzinger, and Norah Jones. I'm not saying that they all actively pretend to be non-Asian, but they definitely pass as non-Asian.
I pointed out that Bruno is American just to point out his nationality and then gave the ethnic breakdown. And yes, I agree. He's not perceived as Asian and people think he's black just like Freddie Mercury is mistaken as European. It's really not a coincidence that the big pop stars of Asian ancestry are the ones who pass or look ambigious.
Regarding, Nicole Scherzinger, I think she looks the most Asian out of all of them and her "far off" looks are her biggest problem. My friend works in marketing for Sony Music and he joked that Nicole should have pretended to be part black.
This is actually a good question considering so many Asian artists in places like Korea and Japan are incredibly talented and make music that sometimes sounds like it could smash in the US.
I'm guessing race plays a big role in it. The west still has a very strange and distorted view of Asian women.
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Originally posted by KillingYourCareer
Or even in Europe. Because k-pop/j-pop artists are boring and generic. No artistic personality at all.
I take it you guys have never ventured into the world of KPOP or JPOP.
Yes, the genres are predominantly manufactured, but so are American artists? Just like with Western popstars, some KPOP idols write and produce their own music. In fact, the biggest groups often have members that have credits on almost every single album their group has released. The only difference between the Asian music market and the Western music market is that the Asian music market isn't afraid to be like, "yeah, this is all a product that we want you to buy".
But even with the groups that don't have a say in what they do, they make up for their lack of creativity with their performance talent, big-production videos and performances, and their work ethnic. Our boy groups go on stage, walk around, and kind of sing for two hours. KPOP And KPOP groups go on stage and kill it every single time. Not to mention that these groups are paid less than minimum wage workers in America and work non-stop year in and year out to make it where they are.
Quote:
Originally posted by Mickey
I am very happy about the success of Bruno and Nicki, who are both half-Asian, but I can't help but feel that they are not very representative of Asian-Americans.
Nicki Minaj having a Japanese grandparent does not make her half Asian . That's like a white person claiming they're Native American because of their grandparent.
I can't believe they're not here yet!....
Kpop/Jpop/Cpop solo artists are incredibly talented and diverse.
J-pop has great music though. (The fact that you chose three J-pop singers proved my point.)
. That's like a white person claiming they're Native American because of their grandparent.