Jin Au Yeung Kind Hearted Rapper

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Author: teropong | December 4, 2007 - 11:01 am

American-born Chinese rapper Jin Au Yeung says he loves kids so much that if he were not a rapper he would probably be the lollipop man who helps students cross roads, or even be a kindergarten teacher.

“It’s fun to be with kids because they’re so innocent. With a child, you can easily tell whether he is happy or sad. Otherwise, I’d be a social worker.

I like interacting with people and helping them. It feels great knowing that I did something for somebody.”

Away from his onstage rapper persona, Jin Au Yeung is a personable chap. If you spy a tattoo on the left side of his neck, don’t be alarmed. It’s just his given name in Chinese.

“I got it when I turned 21. I wanted to do something exciting, so I got a tattoo. My dad has lots of them. My parents advised me to get something I could live with forever and not regret. So, I thought long and hard, and finally decided that my name is the only thing that I’ll never change.”

Born and bred in Miami, Florida, to Chinese restaurateurs, the hip hop artiste is famous for being the first Asian-American rapper to be signed to a major record label.

Based in New York City now, Jin was recently signed to local entertainment company CMG Absolute as their first international artiste.

“My first project with them is a Cantonese album called ABC. It was actually released in the United States in February this year. For the re-release in Malaysia, there will be two bonus English tracks.”

The 25-year-old says he’s been rapping for 10 years now. “I’ve always rapped in English, because it came naturally. But, for the past few years, I would do a little bit of Chinese rapping, just a couple of lines in my English songs.”

Then recently, he was inspired to produce a Canto-rap album.

“Last year, my friends and I went to Hong Kong Disneyland. On our way back, we took the subway. My friends said that I should do a rap about Disneyland in Cantonese.

“As we were rapping and playing around, I thought I would really like to do a whole project in Cantonese. So, I started thinking about the concept for an album, and one of the ideas that came to mind was the ABC thing. Most people know ABC as American-born Chinese. But for me, it’s more about being aware of your identity and knowing who you are,” the rapper declared.

So, he returned to the United States, and did the album in three days. That was the end of 2006. Then, he released his debut Canto-rap album in February.

Jin also released singles ABC (American-born Chinese) and Yum Dom Cha (Drink Tea). The music video for ABC debuted on MTV Chi in January. Jin also filmed another music video for Yum Dom Cha in May and released it on YouTube in July.

“That project (the album) was really exciting and really different for me. I was really proud after I finished it. So, I’m planning to release another next year. Hopefully, that will be even more out of the box. ”

Jin has participated in many rap competitions since 2000. He shot to fame in the United States after becoming the returning champion for seven consecutive weeks on Black Entertainment Television’s 106th & Park freestyle rap competition and was inducted into the show’s Hall of Fame.

Following that, he signed a record deal with the Ruff Riders label and even had a supporting role in the film, 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003).

Jin has since released eight singles – Learn Chinese, Senorita, Get Your Handz Off, Top 5 (Dead or Alive), F.Y.I., 36-24-36 (Applebottom Jeans), ABC and Yum Dom Cha – as well as five albums, The Rest is History, Jin Presents: The Emcee’s Properganda, 100 Grand Jin, I Promise and ABC.

The rapper was also one of the gai shi ying xiong (heroes) that American-born Mandopop artiste Wang Lee Hom featured on his 11th album, Heroes of Earth (Gai Shi Ying Xiong), which was released in December 2005.

source : thestar

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