MOJO IN CHINA

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Qingming Jie aka Tomb Sweeping Day

admin | 29 March, 2008 20:13

Hey All! It's your boy MoJo again with more China, straight from China. Just want to first send my apologies about DJ Kentaro yesterday because Redstar actually sadly did not perform last night... But there will be more chances to see us do our thing!

Back to the post. Last Friday at work, I checked my schedule at Soulfire and realized that we have a day off next Friday. This is great since we've worked pretty hard these days trying to makes our shows so great, that starting in April, we'll also be broadcasting in Chengdu on Ming Jiang Radio!

So on 4/4 (which is kind of funny cause that's "si si", which sounds similar to "Dead Dead" in Chinese), most folks will be off for Qingming Jie also known as Tomb Sweeping Day.

In short, Tomb Sweeping Day is a big holiday in China all about visiting the tombs of your ancestors, sweeping their tombs and leaving them gifts like flowers, wine, chopsticks and stuff like that. Frequently people burn paper that looks similar to old money.

This is a very old and traditional holiday in China, and for many people to get off this day is China next step in helping people rememeber and take the time to celebrate this holy holiday in China.

I ppersonally don't have any relatives to visit out here, and my wife says that we don't either, but I wouldn't be surprised in on Thursday, I get a call from Dad and Mom telling me that we're headed to the Temple for some reason...

DJ Kentaro at The Shelter

admin | 28 March, 2008 17:16

DJ Kentaro at The Shelter

DJ Kentaro will be at The Shelter this evening. So if you are in Shanghai, do stop by. ALSO, Redstar will perform, so definitely be prepared for that. Another fun Friday in Shanghai with some great music.

Earth Hour

admin | 27 March, 2008 12:48

What A Wonderful World...

This isn't a post directly related to China, but China's in our world and we need to protect our world to keep China and all the places we live in or visit alive, healthy and strong. Earth Hour is one step to doing just that!

This Saturday at 8pm, turn off you home appliances for just an hour, only one hour and help the world save some energy. It worked in Sydney. Check out Earthhour.org for more info.

Yogi Duncan Wong

admin | 25 March, 2008 12:51

Duncan Wong

I'm kind of shocked that I've been running my blog for so long and have yet to mention this guy. His name is Duncan Wong. If you heard about him, you know he's worked with Madonna and all for her Yoga stuff.

He's a cool dude and pretty serious about his art and his yoga. He has a studio in Shanghai and some other spots around Asia. Zoe and I took a class over there some time ago and loved it... Feel kind of bad cause I haven't been there since... but we'll get back over there soon.

Anyway, here's a vid you guys can check out... This dude is no joke.

It has begun...

admin | 25 March, 2008 08:00

The Olympic Torch is lit and ready to go!

After years of commercials, widespread reminders and TV ads... The Olympics Torch is on the go through 5 continents!

But y'know... there will always be some backlash...

Protester

Anyway, with al that's going on with the world and China, the show must (and WILL) go on.

To tell you the truth, I'm most focused on who will be the FINAL torch bearer for this year Olympic games? Will it be Yao Ming (Get better soon!) or Liu Xiang? Hard to say...

China Street Food - Bing Tang Hu Lu (Part One)

admin | 24 March, 2008 09:14

Bing Tang Hu Lu

I got a phone call last night from my friends at Channel Young asking me to do a show on Bing Tang Hu Lu. When I first heard what Bing Tang Hu Lu was, I didn't know what they heck they were talking about, but then I heard that it's a street food, it's sweet, and the word tang (which means sugar) led me to think that it was those candied fruits on a stick.

I say it's China's original lolipop, my wife says it's candy on a stick, no matter what,it's a traditional part of Chinese culture. I first had 'em in Beijing in 2002, but they're everywhere in China, for now... Sadly, this historical candy is slowly fading away with the waves of the mainstream because most people believe that this street food is very unclean. Noone buys em...

Well today, Channel Young and your boy MoJo got an answer for this. I'll be heading to a professional Bing Tang Hu Lu maker and he's going to show me DIY Bing Tang Hu Lu.

I'll keep you posted with pics and vids from today's show and when the show airs.

(This isn't the first time I've worked with Channel Young, I've done a show with them on Foreigners that speak Chinese... They threw me on, beatboxing and speaking really broken Chinese... Now it's time for the "lao wai" to bring real Chinese culture back to China!)

(Update: Bing Tang Hu Lu's translation is "Sugar Coated Haws on a Stick".... What the heck is a Haw and how did it get that name???)

Deadly Delicious

admin | 23 March, 2008 12:59

"Women want to watch it... Men dare to watch it!"

That's what some critics say about this movie about love, marriage, affairs and food in this movie, Deadly Delicious. I saw this movie with my wife a couple days ago and I can't get it out of my head... Hopefully, a post will help me out!

The movie takes place in Shanghai. A rich and charming corporate guy has a relationship with a pretty and young flight attendant. The flight attendant realizes that it's hard to keep her man happy and learn from an older and strangely wise female stranger that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The stranger offers her hints on how to cook great food and even gives her a cookbook to help the young lady in her relationship, and he loves it! But he get's sicker and sicker...

What is making him sick? Who is this "friendly stranger"? All the answers are in the movie.

I really enjoyed all the emotional twists and turns through the movie and it has a great commentary on marriage and the intricacies of Chinese food.

Men... get ready to take a good look at yourself when you check out Deadly Delicious.

Look for Urban Culture in China via Urban Magazine

admin | 21 March, 2008 10:07

Urban Magazine

Who said China doesn't have street culture?

Urban Magazine is a free, Chinese language mag on urban life in China. They cover mostly Chinese street fashion and gear, but also get into a bit of hip-hop music and general hip-hop trends in China.

Again, it's free and you can pick 'em up at The Lab.

On this month's cover, China's bad boy of 2008 Edison Chen is on the cover... No dirty pics though... I just read this copy and it's cool with a bunch of old school pics of Nike in China in 1984 and Eno's premium line mixing street wear with Chinese minority attire. Slick.

On the topic of urban lifestyle and music, if you are in Shanghai tonight, do check out Quality Control/The Lab Second Year Aniversary at The Shelter with Redstar and DJ Roli Rho.

I just found out Roli Rho's been to Shanghai about 6-7 years ago to play, so that goes to show that Shanghai's history in hip-hop and the international scene goes pretty far back.

Happy Spring!

admin | 20 March, 2008 17:15

Not Spring Rolls!! Spring is here!

Yes... It's that time of the year again! It's spring time in China. The weather is still a bit chilly, so pack a jacket before going out, but the sun is out and beaming, blue skies even! (Something you HAVE to cherish out here!!!)

I don't have any special stories or anything like that, but just want to wish "yu" all a Happy Spring! (And do celebrate with me and my group Redstar tomorrow!)

Those Spring Rolls still look madd good tho'...

Listen to Redstar

admin | 19 March, 2008 15:02

Redstar at The Shelter Saturday before last.

This Friday, DJ Roli Rho is at The Shelter. Warming up are your local hometown heroes: Redstar.

Check out our song above called "Who We Be", which is about: who... we... be... Obvously.

10PM this Friday! Don't sleep!

Fake Shangri-La in Wuyi

admin | 18 March, 2008 15:05

WuYi in Zhejiang province

This place is a pretty and quaint city but I partially made my title like this to get you to check out this post... but part of this post is true... The Shangri-La here is fake. It ain't the real deal. But WuYi's got it's cool touches.

WuYi is most famous for it's hot springs, which are quite relaxing. But the ones I went to were rammed with people. My wife says that it's like boiling dumplings in there... haha, it's true... That night, looks like they had a first... a Black dumpling... (I'm talking about Me, fools!)

In the phone book, for foreign food, they have a KFC knockoff... but there is one real KFC there.

They also have this bakery chain throughout the town. They have good lemon bread. (Couldn't eat too much of it though cause my mouth was still a sore from the dentist...)

Overall, it was a good trip and a good chance to get away from Shanghai. You can pick up a package on Ctrip from anywhere in China...

(Warning: If you are in Shanghai and you have to get yoru bus at People's Square, get there early otherwise you will run around through thousands of people to find your guide and hundreds of coaches to find your bus... It's a nightmare - in the morning.)

Happy One Year Aniversary, Babe!

And China's Premier is...

admin | 18 March, 2008 14:42

Wen Jiabao (I think he's thinking... "You press guys give me a headache THIS BIG!!")

Honestly, I didn't know Wen Jiabao was going for re-election until today. I used to not understand why most people in China didn't know about Chinese elections... but now, I understand. It isn't like another election (slash paegant) happening this year that everyone in the world knows about.

(Actually, the news for the American Elections is bigger than most Chinese news... Shhh... Don't tell anyone!)

Anyway, I checked out the boob tube today and saw Premier Wen in all his glory while I was at my favorite Lanzhou Ramen place... It was so ironic because while in the Lanzhou Ramen spot, as an American, I listened to Premier Wen (in very clear and slow Chinese) talk about all my favorite issues (Both begin with a capital T...): Tibet and Taiwan.

I want to keep my blog, so I'll just leave it at that! But I'll say this... There a lot of changes and things happening here in China...

(But I loved being able to have a great Strawberry Milkshake with my wife last night at Metro Town.)

Will Chinese Hip-Hop ever take itself seriously?

admin | 18 March, 2008 14:09

Dragon Tongue Squad

I read this article on the Dragon Tongue Squad in the UK Royal Opera House a few minutes ago. Once you open the page, bam... there's one out of 5 stars for the perfromance. I read City Weekend's post about Yin T'sang's latest album, and you can check their review here...

Two stars... and that's from a magazine IN CHINA...

I know these groups and they are good people. So what's with all the bad press? It's aweful... but is it the fault of the reporters or the fault of the artists themselves?

Reporters will see what they want to see and report stuff as they see it. Hip-hop has been generalized and stereotyped in so many ways. When groups from China come out with repeating already used terms such as "Hustler", "bling" and talking about "gangsters",and dressing like someone you're not... They need to stop it and think about something different to discuss and a new way to express interesting material.

Then again, reporters need to open their mind about hip-hop in China. Why? Because a lot of rappers out here are rather limited lyrically due to censorship, China's exposure to the ouside world (particualry recording hip-hop music in China) has come of age since the last decade), and China is still searching for it's VERY OWN hip-hop culture... Don't diss it until it's ripe and ready...

But maybe that's what hip-hop needs out here... It needs a kick in the pants and for some people to wake up in this country and start taking things to the next level. A more serious level that demands respect.

One that note, some shameless self-promotion...

Redstar is opening for DJ Roli Rho at The Shelter this Friday Night for The Lab's Second Year Aniversary Series and we'll be at Pause this Sunday, also at The Shelter. Do yo' thang, Gary.

Respect Is Given If You Take It. Redstar Is Revolution.

Getting your wisdom tooth removed in China..

admin | 18 March, 2008 07:57

The dreaded building that took away my tooth!

Last Friday morning I stopped by Huashan Hospital to get my wisdom tooth removed. For all those that have never had ther wisdom tooth removed or don't have wisdom tooth problems, consider yourself lucky.

Huashan Hospital has a section for dentistry and they speak pretty good English, but I handled myself well that day in Chinese. But once they started going... let's just say thank god for painkillers.

I felt like I was in the movie "Saw".(Never seen the move and am not a big fan of scary movies... but I can imagine!) They took these hammers and just ripped through my gums like I was on the death penalty. The entire time, they spoke Shanghaineese and I had to figure out what most folks were saying. There were tears, blood and a few yelps of pain from MoJo here... but finally they got it out. It was about as big as a thimble.

The cost was 419 RMB (50 bucks), which is expensive for China, but I think a lot cheaper than America. And they gave me a lot of fun painkillers to cool me off in the mean time. I'm healing up quite nicely...

My lunch today...

admin | 13 March, 2008 13:48

Potato and beef with rice

There's a Lan Zhou Beef Ramen place near my office that sells really good Potato and beef with rice. It's pretty darn good and it costs 6 kuai. Mmm... Mmm... Good.

Just ask for Tu Dou Niu Rou Fan!

Neocha

admin | 13 March, 2008 12:07

A video I found on You Tube on NeoCha.

NeoCha, aka Xin Cha (New Tea) is like MySpace for creative types in China. Redstar is on there too. Here's our (currently so-so) site.

It's started by Sean L. and John L., one dude from B6 and another cat. Sean, John and I go back in our Hopkins-Nanjing days. Crazy, huh?

Sean, if you reading this, get the site fixed. Don't tell me you guys are blocked already! See you at The Lab's 2-year aniversary next week at The Shelter? (I can't make it tomorrow, I'm going to the dentist and I got a marriage aniversary to prep for over the weekend. I'll be at the one after!)

NO TALKING IN THE MOVIE THEATER!!!

admin | 13 March, 2008 08:14

NO TALKING IN THE MOVIE THEATER

Last week my wife and i got to check out the movie Atonement (artsy, yet marketable, but the gov. cut out some sex scenes...). Anyway, my wife were really getting into the movie until one dude picked up his phone during the movie and started talking on the phone... LOUD.

This is a common thing in China. No one turns off their cell phones or puts them on silent or vibrate when the movie is on... OK, true, they might forget to switch their cell phone settings... But my gosh... do you have to pick it up and have a full 5-minute conversation during the movie?

This may sound like a rant, but if you love the movie theater expereince, you HAVE to agree with me.

People talk at the movie reading the subtitles from the screen: "Oh! It's 3 1/2 years later now!", "Oh! She's old!"

My favorite was one my wife told me that she heard from the couple beside us: "I think she said 'I Love You' too quickly."

Holy cow! Just close your mouth and watch the movie! If you see something funny, laugh. If you see something scary, gasp. No one is paying 30-70 kuai for your commentary or your phone call!

Bjork in Shanghai

admin | 06 March, 2008 12:10

This song's called "Declare Independence".

I'm not going to say anything to you guys, except listen carefully and discuss. This was from her concert last Sunday in Shanghai.

Anyway, I think Bjork is one of the most creative and innovative music artists in the world and I love her song with Rahzel.

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jessica Simpson Speak Chinese???

admin | 06 March, 2008 07:39

Well... Kind of!

Here's some proof positive that more celebs are getting themselves out into the China market. Here's american Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt and singer Jessica Simpson in a TV commercial/Paid Advertisement for skin care product, Proactiv. Here's the commercial translated:

Jennifer Love Hewitt:

Ni Hao! Wo Shi Jennifer Love Hewitt! (Hello! I am Jennifer Love Hewitt!) Gao Lan Yao Fu, fei chang hao! (Proactive is really good!)

Jessica Simpson:

Da Jia Hao. Wo Shi Jessica Simpson. (Hi everybody. I am Jessica Simpson.) Wo Ai Gao Lan Yao Fu. (I Love Proactive.)

If I were to do a Chinese language battle between these two Hollywood starlets, Jessica Simpson would definitely win. She sounds more natural, smooth and chill, just like the way when someone normally talks to you. Jennifer Love Hewitt has that foreign voice that most Chinese out here make fun of foreigners for...

But these guys are celebs and Chinese is hard... Kudos to the both of these guys for speaking the language and speaking it pretty clearly!

By the way, the first lady in the show is named Annie Shizuke Inoh, also known as Yi Neng Jing... she is a popular singer and actress from Taiwan and is married to singer-songwriter Harlem Yu - Yu Chengqing. I love that he's named after the black neighborhood of Harlem. DEEP down inside... Harlem Yu's a brother.

Happy Lei Feng Day!

admin | 05 March, 2008 10:16

Today is Lei Feng Day. Get 'cha service up!

March 5th is "Lei Feng Day" (Lei Feng Jie). For all you guys who have no idea who Lei Feng is, check out the link below... Mao said that people should be more like this dude, selfless and for his country.

I never knew about this holiday until my wife Zoe told me. Xie xie, lao po!

Anyway, here's a video from the song "All Northeasterners Are Living Lei Fengs". Enjoy! Lei Feng Jie Kuai Le!

Those Those Northeastern Lei Feng's... they're so nice.

Foreigners singin' Chinese songs...

admin | 04 March, 2008 15:48

Below some videos of original Chinese songs and foreigners (aka lao wai) singing new English versions... If anyone can find any more stuff like this, let me know... (Other languages? Whatever, just pass it on...)

Wang Fei (Faye Wong) "Wo Yuan Yi" (I Want)

Not sure of the artist's name... But does it sound familiar? (Ahem... the one with Wang Fei!)

Jacky Cheung (Zhang Xue You) "Wen Bie" (Goodnight Kiss)

Michael Learns To Rock, "Take Me To Your Heart". Hey... This sounds the same as...

Wang Fei and Jacky are huge out here, and "Take Me To You Heart" is played to death in every shopping mall... I think the new "Wo Yuan Yi" will be big out here too... No matter what, it looks like Chinese music is finding it's own ways to spreads it's wings internationally...

I just want to hear more Redstar. Holla!

DoingShanghai.com

admin | 04 March, 2008 15:10

Here's the pilot episode for DoingShanghai.com!

I found another vidcast series on Shanghai online and this one's called DoingShanghai.com. It's all about the do's (and dont's) in China. Great for folks who've never been to Shanghai and see what it's like on video.

Chris and Kris (formerly of Soulfire) are cooking up something mighty interesting... And it ain't just from the wet market!

Good luck, guys!

Nokia 5300 at Suning

admin | 03 March, 2008 10:41

My wife just copped this Nokia 5300

This phone is one sale for 1380 RMB (original price, 1580 RMB) at Suning (It's like the Radio Shack of China, but bigger, better and cheaper). Throw in 28 RMB and you get a battery and a Suning Charger.

Back To The Roots. This Saturday. It's March Maddness.

admin | 03 March, 2008 10:24

A lil' bit of shameless self promotion won't hurt...

A lot of folks ask me, "When can we see your shows?...", "When can we see you perfrom?...", "Who is Redstar?"

Well... Do yourself a favor, stop asking and come out to Back to the Roots this Saturday (3/8, Happy International Women's Day!!) at The Shelter.

Experience great music and great fun in China.

"Xie Xie Ni Men De Pei He."

And for today's weather...

admin | 03 March, 2008 07:53

Here's some nice weather... From Me to You!

The last wekk or so has been some mighty good spring weather hitting a peak of about 55 F (something like 10 C). The sun's been out and I don't have to wear my super large, puffy jacket anymore...

Welcome to Spring!

I need protein powder!!!

admin | 02 March, 2008 14:18

If anyone can help me find stuff like this for cheap in Shanghai.. I'd appreciate it!

As of the last 2 months, I've been going to the gym about five times a week. (Thank you, thank you, please hold the applause!) But I've recently run out of protein powder and it's hard to find this stuff (at a good price) in Shanghai. The last time I got this stuff, it cost me about 800 RMB... (Over 100 USD)... It really works, but I would rather SAVE money than spend it... (400-600 RMB is more reasonable for me!

If you have any ideas, post me a comment or you can reply to this post I left on City Weekend. Thanks! (Boy, do I wish GNC was in Shanghai...)

***** UPDATE: Thank you Jordo960 for the helpful site!!*****

Bring China's Hip-Hop Granny to BOTY China 2008!!

admin | 02 March, 2008 13:57

Hip-Hop Granny, In 'Da House!

I saw this exact same report on TV about a week ago, and thank god for Youku, I found exactly what I needed.

This is the Hip-Hop Granny, aka (Jie Wu Nai Nai - Street Dance Grandmother). She 61 and tond of fun. She's from Shanghai and she's got moves. Reminds me of another Hip-Hop Granny in the world... hmmmm...

Hip-Hop Granny, meet Crazy Grandma... (I met her at R-16 last year. 65 years old... wow...)

Anyway, all of this is old news.. my point for this post if for all BOTY organizers in China, get the Hip-Hop Granny in China BOTY 2008. (Happening in Shanghai, folks!)

For all Grannies out there, keep dancing like your grandkids aren't watching!

Linger (Hu Die Fei)

admin | 02 March, 2008 12:53

"Linger", the movie

Last night I checked out a movie with my wife called "Linger" its a cool movie about a lady who loses her lover in a car crash and three years later, he comes back in her imagination from pergatory to help him become free (like a butterfly) and go to heaven. It stars Li Bing Bing and one of the memebrs of F4, (old boy band from Taiwan). The story is simple, yet romantic with hints of the paranormal. Great date movie.

Li Bing Bing is a popular actress from Heilongjiang province (waaaay up North!). Her most recent claim to fame is being the first Asian spokesperson for international luxury products merchandiser, Mont Blanc.

Watch out Zhang Zi Yi, here's Bing Bing!

Li Bing Bing pictured with Chow Yun Fat (one of my favorite Action stars!)

calendar

recently...

Qingming Jie aka Tomb Sweeping Day

DJ Kentaro at The Shelter

Earth Hour

Yogi Duncan Wong

It has begun...

China Street Food - Bing Tang Hu Lu (Part One)

Deadly Delicious

Look for Urban Culture in China via Urban Magazine

Happy Spring!

Listen to Redstar

Fake Shangri-La in Wuyi

And China's Premier is...

Will Chinese Hip-Hop ever take itself seriously?

Getting your wisdom tooth removed in China..

My lunch today...

Neocha

NO TALKING IN THE MOVIE THEATER!!!

Bjork in Shanghai

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jessica Simpson Speak Chinese???

Happy Lei Feng Day!

Foreigners singin' Chinese songs...

DoingShanghai.com

Nokia 5300 at Suning

Back To The Roots. This Saturday. It's March Maddness.

And for today's weather...

I need protein powder!!!

Bring China's Hip-Hop Granny to BOTY China 2008!!

Linger (Hu Die Fei)

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