Asians in Hip Hop

The hip hop community has attracted the Asian American community over the years. I wanted to create a page to show that Asians are also able to express themselves through hip hop and rap. Overseas in Korea and in China, the underground hip hop culture has been growing. Here are some recommendations for hip hop artists and documentaries.

**Please be advised that the music/music videos contain adult content or language.

Asian Americans & American Based Asian Artists

MC JIN

An American rapper, songwriter, and actor of Hakka descent who is the first Asian American solo rapper to be signed to a major record label in the United States. Born in Miami, Florida, and later living in New York City, he lived in Hong Kong for several years before returning to New York in the summer of 2012. -Wiki

He when back to China and was on Rap of China under the alias “Hip Hop Man.” He was also on a few other shows, becoming a well know rapper on the Mainland.

88 Rising

The company has gained popularity as a musical platform and label primarily for Asian American and Asian artists who release music in the United States, such as NIKI, Keith Ape, Rich Brian, Joji, and Higher Brothers. Miyashiro said that the record label is "not a core part of our business, but it's part of it" and that they are "really a media/video content focused company at heart". - Wiki

Vice Asia Documentary

Jay Park

a Korean American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, choreographer, entrepreneur, actor, member of the Seattle-based b-boy crew, Art of Movement (AOM), and founder and CEO of the independent hip hop record labels AOMG and H1ghr Music. He also signed with the record label Roc Nation, becoming the first Asian American to do so. -Wiki

Jessi

Korean-American rapper, singer, and songwriter based in South Korea. She was born in New York, raised in New Jersey, and moved to South Korea at the age of 15. - Wiki

Yoonmirae

An American-born South Korean rapper and singer who is currently a member of the Korean hip hop trio MFBTY. -Wiki

Kris Wu

A Chinese-Canadian actor, singer, and model. He’s a judge on Rap of China. -Wiki

Dumbfoundead

An Argentine-born Korean-American rapper and actor. He began his career in the 2000s as a battle rapper in Los Angeles and has since become one of the most prominent Asian-American rappers in the United States, known for his witty and socially conscious lyrics. -Wiki

Tiger JK

South Korean-American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur is best known as a founding member of the Korean hip hop group Drunken Tiger. He is currently a member of hip hop trio MFBTY.

He is considered a highly influential figure in the development of Korean hip-hop and is credited with helping bring the genre into the Korean mainstream. The Los Angeles Times referred to him in 2011 as "perhaps the most popular Korean rapper in America, Asia, and the world." -Wiki

Chinese Rap & Hip Hop

Higher Brothers (更高兄弟)

A Chinese hip-hop group from Chengdu consisting of four members: MaSiWei (马思唯), DZknow (丁震), Psy.P (杨俊逸), and Melo (谢宇杰). The group is known for their songs in Mandarin and Sichuanese that celebrate Chinese culture, with songs such as "Made in China", "Black Cab" and "We Chat". - Wiki

The Rise of Trap Music in China (Chengdu)

Meet China's Hottest Rappers

Rappers React to Higher Brothers

Zhong.TV & Zhong.TV2

This is Chinese hip hop, they’ve been supporting and holdin' down the movement since 2010.

On the channel, you can explore various popular Chinese rappers.

Here are some recommendations:

Jony J, AfterJourney, PG ONE, Tizzy T, Bohan Phoenix, VaVa, Lexie, Vinida, Jackson Wang, etc.

Korean Rap & Hip Hop

AOMG

This is a full-service entertainment company founded in 2013, which serves as a hip-hop and R&B record label and artist management. The company has become significant not only in the hip-hop scene but also in the extensive music industry with the diversity of captivating music and related content. AOMG also proved itself as a global brand by the success of multiple concerts, world tours, and a variety of events not just in the domestic market but also in the international market. - AOMG Website

The label represents artists including Loco, Gray, Simon Dominic, Woo Won-jae, Hoody, Elo, Ugly Duck, and Haon. -Wiki

H1gher Music

This hip-hop label provides opportunities for talented but undiscovered artists by sharing their visions through H1GHRMUSIC RECORDS’ unique foundation.

Utilizing our extensive experience in music production and vast international network from Seattle to Seoul, we will lead the global industry with creative and popular artists. - H1gher Music Website

Some Korean Rapper Recommendations:

Zico, Keith Ape, Tablo, Epik High, G-Dragon, MFBTY, Gaeko, CL, pH-1, Bang Yongguk, Crush, San E, Zion T, etc.

Documentaries: Vica Asia

Hip Hop’s Reckoning with Asian Rappers: $tupid Young, 88rising, and Ebro Darden

For this episode of ‘MINORITY REPORTS,’ VICE’s Lee Adams met up with Miyashiro and a handful of high-profile Asian rappers—including $tupid Young, an Asian Crip unaffiliated with 88rising—to hear why they got into hip-hop, and what challenges they've faced while creating space for themselves as hip-hop's newest minorities.

The Rise of Trap Music in China: Chengdu & Chongqing

VICE goes to Chengdu and Chongqing to check out two of the most influential music labels - CDC (aka Chengdu Rap House) and GO$H MUSIC - to explore the realm of dialect rap and a new generation of hip-hop lifestyle and values. Our host Wes Chen, a veteran in the scene who has hosted a Chinese hip-hop radio show for over a decade, shares his knowledge of the hottest music and evolution of hip-hop in China.