MOJO IN CHINA

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Chinese Hip-hop Tune dedicated to the Earthquake

admin | 03 June, 2008 16:21

Not a bad tune. One of the few heartfelt Hip-Hop tunes I've heard out of China.

HA HA HA: The Movie

admin | 02 June, 2008 10:42

HA HA HA

Yes, that's the movie's name. I think you know by now that it's a comedy. It features David Wu (You might have heard of him from Talk Da Talk) and one of my favorite comedy duos in China, The Back Dorm Boys. (They became famous in China and around the world for lip-synching a lot of Backstreet Boys and other English and Chinese pop tunes. See below:

Their expressions are just plain unforgetable...

Anyway, back to the flick. "HA HA HA" is a comedy about a baby from a rich family who gets stolen by a bunch of bad guys, but when the bad guys lose the baby, a poor family whose been trying a praying for ages to have a child gets the baby on their doorstep as a nice little surprise.

This movie (Like most Chinese comedies) starts off like a lot of Adam Sandler movies, really slow, silly and hard to follow, but as time goes along, you get into it. There are a lot of China related figures and themes in the movie, like the Chinese Boss who has a lot of money from some random business, the crazed internet bar junkies who think their lives are like an RPG computer game (played by the Back Dorm Boys), and how the baby flies into the poor couple's home via a huge pink balloon in the shape of a pig. (In China, the pig always stands for abundance and fertility.)

Give it a try!

Response to Sharon Stone by Chinese Actor

admin | 28 May, 2008 10:23

Zhao Hui Nan responds to Sharon Stone (In Chinese and English)

Here's another update... Sharon Stone has a change of heart?

I hope it is her and not her publicist.

I'm done talking about this. She's making money and popularity points off off my posts.

Hiphop.cn's Xi You Ji Volume 2 Mixtape Is Out!!!

admin | 28 May, 2008 07:59

Get your copy here.

Check out Redstar's 'Who We Be'. Very different from what's on our myspace. Enjoy!

Sharon Stone on China Earthquake

admin | 26 May, 2008 22:02

Sharon Stone in Shanghai. How ironic...

Thoughts?

Redstar Intro on Hip-Hop.CN

admin | 14 May, 2008 08:58

MoJo reppin' Redstar for Hiphop.cn

(The following is a translation/transcript by yours truly.)

Ready? OK.

I'm MoJo from Brooklyn, NY, but now, I'm in Shanghai with Redstar, we are a dope hiphop group. Redstar is revolution. We Are Revolution.

We're going to change the shape of China Hip-Hop by giving it more elements, depth and sophistication. This is us, we represent Shanghai, we represent real hip-hop, international hip-hop, China hip-hop, we got it all.

Check it, we were on NPR, and even they wanted to interview us. Take a look at that! Now we're on HipHop.cn. Shoutouts to Hip-Hop.cn for supporting us. We need that support. We need more people like us, more hardworking hip-hop groups.

This makes me think about a picture we have where we were walking down this street and there's this long road behind us in the picture. That picture represents the long road an mc has, a producer has, a band has, particularly a hip-hop band has long and difficult.

But now we're here for the service of the people. The service of China and the service of the entire world. This is our most important and main goal. Holler... Hiphop.cn 4 liiiife!

(Singing "Who We Be" Chorus with Tangking)(Beatboxing)

---------------

Back to the music... Enjoy this tune called "Xun Zhao" (Searching). It's not done yet, but I think you'll still like it.

This weekend in Shanghai... Which I will miss...

admin | 24 April, 2008 16:47

Brubeck Braid

I'm missing a weekend of good music to work in Suzhou and Jiangyin this weekend, so whoever is reading this and will be in Shanghai this weekend, please enjoy these for me!

Jazz superstars Matt Brubeck (familiar last name? Son of Dave Brubeck, who is a dope jazz pianist...) on the cello and pianist/composer David Braid are going to play some nice jazz/classical sets. Check out more at City Weekend.

Nas is supposed to be here tomorrow. Hopefully with no visa issues... It's at Racks... (Don't they also have one in Hong Kong?)

So while I slave away with Chivas 12 y.o., enjoy this weekend, ya'll! I'll have some updates on both cities, just like last weekend, for ya'll soon!

Ashanti and Zhang Xue You do a duet?

admin | 23 April, 2008 18:02

The Way That I Love You by Ashanti

OK, I lied... there's no duet, but is it just me or does Ashanti's "The Way That I Love You" sound a little like Zhang Xue You's (Jacky Cheung) "Yi Qian Ge Shang Xin De Li You" (how to translate... A Thousand Reasons That Cause My Pain...). Check out that piano! Is the riff from a classical song or something?

"Yi Qian Ge Shang Xin De Li You" by Zhang Xue You (Jacky Cheung)

Anyway, Zhang Xue You's is first to begin with... Just look at the video! He's got that early 90's look going on there. You can't miss that.

Both are great songs in my book.

Cool vid on The Lab

admin | 23 April, 2008 10:33

Check out this video on The Lab (Shi Yan Shi) in Shanghai and check out how these guys live, eat, sleep and breathe DJ! (In Mandarin Chinese)

(Towards the end, there's a bit of a surprise... for you AND me both!)

Shanghai Jazz

admin | 19 April, 2008 02:57

This guys's got it...

Wanna know how I know so much about Jazz on Soulfire... Here's my origional teacher, JQ Whitcomb. He's been involved in the jazz scene in Shanghai for YEARS and he knows what's up... SO, if you wanna know about the jazz scene in Shanghai (as well as the rest of China...) Check out Shanghai Jazz Scene.

For those that don't know, Shanghai has a pretty rich jazz history, from swingin' at The Paramount back in the hey days, to vibin' at The Peace Hotel, to jamming out at JZ Club, Shanghai is all about jazzing it up...

I'm still looking for folks to work with me on a jazz/hip-hop collabo!!

Back on Channel Young Again!

admin | 12 April, 2008 17:25

Miami Vice Revisitied?

No, it's for a show called "Kong Jing Zi" on their program "Jin Ri Ying Xiang" on Channel Young. It's on tonight at 9:30 in Shanghai. They make over people in different office and they stopped by the Soulfire office to pay us a visit. Lucky me, I was one of the one's chosen... I guess I'm THAT BAD... *sniff*...

More and more folks are into the makeover thing out here in China, which was definitely big in the states in the 90's with the likes of Ricki Lake (Go Ricki! Go Ricki!!) and Jenny Jones. (Remember, "From Geek to Chic?")

Anyway, I had fun doing it, but I didn't really like the pink jacket.. it was a bit... too... pink... But I'm glad I could have a chance to re-live my dream to become Philip Michael Thomas (or Jamie Foxx for that matter...) in the flesh.

If you can watch Channel Young tonight, please do. I beatbox too. Holler.

Nas in Shanghai

admin | 11 April, 2008 11:28

I'll believe it when it's all 100% confirmed.

More info here...

Congrats to Jay-Z and Beyonce!

admin | 07 April, 2008 12:14

It's official!

This doesn't particularly relate to China, BUT it's interesting to me!

Congrats to Jay-Z (Brooklyn!!) and Beyonce for tying the knot. Welcome to the club!

Now, let's get you guys both to China this year for a show! To Jay-Z... Yeah, you tried to come through once before... I wrote about that. We all know you got that big $150m tour coming up with Mary J. Blige. Make it happen in Shanghai, homey... Beyonce did it with Chivas!

And now... for another MoJo and Zoe karoke favorite... Upgrade You.

China Eastern, Strike, What?

admin | 07 April, 2008 09:04

A stike in mid-air? Get outta here...

There are two things in my life I believe to be unheard of: 1. A strike in China 2. Pilots having a strike in mid-air.

That's what happened this past weekend with China Eastern pilots where 200 pilots in mid-air flew back to their original airports after taking off.

How did they break the news of the strike to the passengers? They didn't. They just said that the weather was unsuitable for flying and that they had to return to the original airport. And so the strike began.

The China Aviation Authority says it didn't happen, but that might be them trying to save face. Apparently, pilots are upset about being overworked and underpaid. China Eastern is dishing out the punishments...

As for me, I like China Eastern's prices... They are quite low... maybe that's why the pilots are upset...

My favorite and the best Chinese R&B Artist is Fang Da Tong

admin | 04 April, 2008 14:06

Fang Da Tong aka Khalil Tong

You've probably heard of Zhou Jie Lun (Jay Chou), Tao Zhe (David Tao), Lin Jun Jie (I think his alias is JJ Lin), and Wang Li Hong (Ummm... Wang "Leehom") reigning in as the current (and "only") kings of Chinese R&B... Well get ready, cause there a new soulful flavor in town, and his name is Fang Da Tong!!

Don't let the quirky glasses fool you (Glasses are smart! So what we can't see?!), he's got more soul and blues in his pinky finger than mosts artists have in their whole body out here. He's got fans too.

By the way, he writes his own music, plays guitar and piano... He's an artist. With a capital A. His recordings do his live shows no justice, however, but it all sounds good to me.

Here's a few videos you can check out... The first is his big hit called "Love Song" which might remind you a bit of Jon B mixed with Tyreese and the second one is called "Nuan" which means "Warm" in Mandarin Chinese. "Nuan" is a mix of Musiq Soulchild and Babyface... I think he gets Justin Tmberlake on this one!

But don't take this guy as a carbon copy of American R&B, his lyrics carry a ton of Chinese depth, thought, and life with some soulful flavor and smooth harmonies that will brighten your day...

(This isn't an ad, ya'll... I think a Chinese dude making amazing R&B in Chinese perfectly is a miracle! And as an artist myself... It is needed.)

Mr. Fang, if you are reading this, connect to Redstar on Myspace. We'll make a real Soul/Hip-Hop album for China. Believe that.

Redstar video for Fullbright Scholar Angela Steele and Lila Babb and their project, DONG TING

admin | 04 April, 2008 12:29

Enjoy.

Redstar

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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."

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!)

Obama at Chatterhouse Booktraders!

admin | 29 February, 2008 16:19

I Got My Obama... Do you???

If you are looking for new English books in Shanghai, you can always check out Chatterhouse Booktraders. Zoe got me the book above from there for about 260 kuai... kind of expensive, but it's the price you pay for a crisp, fresh and new book!

calendar

recently...

Chinese Hip-hop Tune dedicated to the Earthquake

HA HA HA: The Movie

Response to Sharon Stone by Chinese Actor

Hiphop.cn's Xi You Ji Volume 2 Mixtape Is Out!!!

Sharon Stone on China Earthquake

Redstar Intro on Hip-Hop.CN

This weekend in Shanghai... Which I will miss...

Ashanti and Zhang Xue You do a duet?

Cool vid on The Lab

Shanghai Jazz

Back on Channel Young Again!

Nas in Shanghai

Congrats to Jay-Z and Beyonce!

China Eastern, Strike, What?

My favorite and the best Chinese R&B Artist is Fang Da Tong

Redstar video for Fullbright Scholar Angela Steele and Lila Babb and their project, DONG TING

DJ Kentaro at The Shelter

Yogi Duncan Wong

Will Chinese Hip-Hop ever take itself seriously?

Bjork in Shanghai

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jessica Simpson Speak Chinese???

Foreigners singin' Chinese songs...

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

Linger (Hu Die Fei)

Obama at Chatterhouse Booktraders!

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