MOJO IN CHINA

«	January 2009	»
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31

China BOTY Soundtrack

admin | 16 September, 2008 16:10

Get your BOTY Soundtrack here!

Chinese

English

Check out samples on Myspace!!

SUPPORT CHINA'S BBOY CULTURE AND FUTURE! GET THE CD!!

For Those That Wonder If I Still Break...

admin | 30 July, 2008 17:01

Here's proof positive....

OK, so a lot of my moves are the same, but I still got it!

This was at the China BOTY 2008 that happened a few weeks ago. If youa re looking for some clips of the performances and battles, scroll though these search results here. You'll be happy to hear that a lot of the perfromances contain quite a few Chinese culturally related themes. Great job, Caster Dance.

Oh yeah.... get the CD.

Busy weekends this weekend and next weekend...

admin | 10 July, 2008 17:48

These weeks have been pretty crazy and busy since my lovely time in Jeju with the wifey. But, as they say, the show must go on!

This Saturday, Redstar has a show at Hangzhou's G+ from 10pm-2am. We'll aslo be on FM 99.6 from 2pm-3pm to do a live interview on the air. Be there for that.

Next weekend on the 18th is the China DMC Championship. Find out more here!

The day after on the 19th is China BOTY Final. Find out more info here and don't sleep! (I know I won't!)

Redstar interview on Interhiphop

admin | 01 July, 2008 04:48

Another day, another interview, man.

We were fortunate to get the chance to have an interview with interhiphop, a blog dedicated to interviewing new hip-hop artists and groups on the net. And heeeeeeeeeeerrrr's the interview!

By the way, we're called Redstar. Don't get it twisted! ;)

Chinese Drama On Trying to Make It With Hip-Hop

admin | 23 June, 2008 05:45

I was kinda shocked to see this myself...

I don't know how many shows there are, but you can take a look, they are all on Tudou.com. I think Tangking told me about this...

Monsoon Season has arrived!!

admin | 09 June, 2008 13:22

Get your umbrella... ella... ella... eh... eh... eh...

When in Shanghai, or any part of China, during this time of the year, expect VERY STRANGE weather. It'll last for about 2-3 weeks. Also, expect a lot of rain. (Even if you don't expect it, expect it.) Carry a small umbrella in your bag. It's going to be wet and then riduclously hot...

Here's some music to get you going during these rainy, cloudy days. Cheeah!!

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.

Graff in Shanghai

admin | 03 June, 2008 15:47

Props to Adam S. from Danwei on this one. (AI DE MAN 4 LIIIFE!) Graff = Graffitti = Cool Street Art

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!

Back to the Roots @ The Shelter - This Friday

admin | 25 May, 2008 17:40

Freakin' beautiful flyer, Gary.

China's best non-pretentious party is back. Be there.

Chinese Hip-Hop in Wikipedia

admin | 15 May, 2008 12:36

We made it! We're going down in history!

Check Redstar out in Wikipedia!

Battle of The Year China Soundtrack is on the go!

admin | 14 May, 2008 13:00

BOTY CHINA!!!

For more, look here!!!

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!)

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.

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

Hip-Hop in Kunming

admin | 03 April, 2008 12:24

Hip-Hop nights at Uprock in Kunming, China

So my boy DJ DSK has a a little club called Uprock in Kunming, China. They're working on a hip-hop night down there that breaks it all down to the four elements, bboy, MC, Graffitti and the DJ (If I didn't add DJ, DJ DSK would kill me).

So if you plan on making a flight Yunnan to check out the Naxi Tribe, or take a boat around Erhai Lake be sure to check out Uprock in Kunming. Tell em MoJo sent ya...

(Respect to Mr. Stokes!!)

(By the way... 6 days till my birthday!!)

Qingming Jie aka Tomb Sweeping Day

admin | 29 March, 2008 20:13

Tomb Sweeping Day, 4/4

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!)

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."

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!

Amazing translation by Chinese reporter from Edison Chan (Chen Guan Xi) press conference

admin | 22 February, 2008 12:07

I'll never be able to top this reporter...

Anyway, if you guys haven't heard about the latest news on entertainer Edison Chan (Chen Guan Xi), do a google search cause there's a lot out there about this and people in China talk about it everyday...

Edison speaks English in this one (He's Canadian), so for all the Yankees, Brits and speakers who use the words: the, that and those in their common language, it won't be a problem understanding him...

The part that caught me the most was the translator who is a reporter on this news channel. The simutaneous translator is superior and accurate... Also, I think he was an actor before he became a reporter because he sounds like someone trying to get an Oscar or working on a crtically acclaimed flick. And his speed is on point!

Anyway, that's it from me. I hope things boil over for Edison and all the other folks involved in this matter and they can live normally once again. Maybe an EDC-Redstar Collabo? Who knows... I'm out!

MC Battle with Tangking

admin | 14 January, 2008 10:09

Check out a Chinese (Mandarin) freestyle battle between Tangking (Shanghai) and Lil' Ray (Beijing). Is it just me or are Chinese freestyle battles really loud? Oh well... Tangking - Redstar - Jia You!

Chang Chen Yue and MC Hot Dog

admin | 12 January, 2008 15:57

Chang Chen Yue and MC Hot Dog: Reppin' Chinese Hip-Hop on China's pop circuit

What's up, all. I've been checking out a lot of entertainment news lately and R&B singer Chang Chen Yue's name has come up a bunch and when there's smoke, there's sure to be a fire, so along with Chang (aka A Yue), we have popular Taiwan rapper, MC Hot Dog. They're having a show on the 26th in Shanghai and I'd like to go to see how they do with the mainland audience, but I have a lot going on that day with Redstar, so we'll see.

Anyway, I remember watching the Lycra style gala on Channel Young (Yes, Lycra is big out here... Kind of surprising cause Esprit is huge out here too... Random!) the other day and Chang Chen Yue constantly mentioned coming from the street and repping the streets all the way with his music. I have to respect that because he's approaching the pop market with a whole new angle - something a bit more hip-hop.

For all those that don't know about MC Hot Dog, you can check out what he's all about here and peep his music. He's one of the first of his kind in terms of hip-hop in China.

MoJo In China (Daily)

admin | 11 January, 2008 14:46

I'm in this issue of China Daily and I don't know why...

But they put me in. Check out the article online here. It's about the things you normally hear on my blog: Redstar, Hip-Hop, Chinese, Future and Current Plans, and last but certainly not least, my family life. Respect.

Peace to Ida on the article and congrats on getting the 1,000 words!

ICS Shanghai

admin | 07 January, 2008 23:00

"I See Shanghai" - Clever, very clever...

Let me start off by just wishing everyone a very Happy New Year to all! I hope you all are writing up your resolutions and sticking to them! This is very important! It looks like China is sticking to one resolution, to become a major player in the inernational community. And what better way to do that than by starting up a new international channel. There's already one on Beijing's CCTV 9 (which is full of news, news... and more news) which is run by the governmentt... It looks like Shanghai's got a brand new bag, called ICS, International Channel Shanghai.

ICS is a more entertainning and flashier than CCTV 9 and has a bit more international flavor... The channel's motto: "I See Shanghai"... That's pretty darn clever... They also have some internationally sydycated shows on the channel like America's Funniest Home Videos (But they change the name on the station to something like "Family's Funniest Videos" and got this young Canadian dude hosting the show instead of Bob Saget) and some national ones like Getaway (with Da Long, aka Andrew Ballen), More Than Jazz with Lawrence Ku and You Are The Chef.

But, (and I have to do this) I'm a bit bitter. I'm waiting for when they'll give your boy MoJo a show. And I would like for the show to be on Hip-Hop or urban culture in China. Why? Because Hip-Hop/urban lifestyle is international, as for the music style, it's will take over pop in China, and they need someone in the know who is in the scene in China and can give it the right reporting that it needs, in Chinese and English -- That person is me.

Also, the market out here in China is opening up for more hip-hop related artists like Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and Talib Kweli... Anyone from ICS reading this... I'm telling you, You would be making a smart choice...

Anyway, I enjoy watching the programs on ICS and hope to see the channel develop in the near future... then, you can bring MoJo in and pay tha man. Holla!

More on The Yue Festival

admin | 21 December, 2007 07:43

Here's a video I found on Shanghaiist on the Yue Festival. It's a few months late, but whatever, it was such a revolutionary festival for Shanghai and China. I hope it happens again next year. Split Works did a great job. Look for your boy in the video.Video's kind of late, but it's nice to check out.

For more of my posts on the event, click here and here.

How Hip-Hop is made in China

admin | 18 December, 2007 11:35

OK, this isn't REALLY how it's made out here, but it's a funny and popular commercial in China. But Redstar will NOT collab with this guy. Sorry.

calendar

recently...

China BOTY Soundtrack

For Those That Wonder If I Still Break...

Busy weekends this weekend and next weekend...

Redstar interview on Interhiphop

Chinese Drama On Trying to Make It With Hip-Hop

Monsoon Season has arrived!!

Chinese Hip-hop Tune dedicated to the Earthquake

Graff in Shanghai

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

Back to the Roots @ The Shelter - This Friday

Chinese Hip-Hop in Wikipedia

Battle of The Year China Soundtrack is on the go!

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

Back on Channel Young Again!

Nas in Shanghai

Congrats to Jay-Z and Beyonce!

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

Hip-Hop in Kunming

Qingming Jie aka Tomb Sweeping Day

DJ Kentaro at The Shelter

Look for Urban Culture in China via Urban Magazine

Listen to Redstar

Will Chinese Hip-Hop ever take itself seriously?

Neocha

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

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

Amazing translation by Chinese reporter from Edison Chan (Chen Guan Xi) press conference

MC Battle with Tangking

Chang Chen Yue and MC Hot Dog

MoJo In China (Daily)

ICS Shanghai

More on The Yue Festival

How Hip-Hop is made in China

search

archives

Categories

my Links

Syndicate