Jin Da M.C. hits the H.K. Convention Center!

[photopress:Jin_Da_MC_Shorty_Blitz.jpg,full,pp_image]

Arriving at the Business of Design Week event, I thought I was at the wrong party. The music was a cerebral instrumental Jazz and the people were mostly wearing suits. I walked to the edge of the event and contemplated a speedy exit. I decided to make one last pass through the thick of the crowd before escaping. As luck would have it, I bumped into several friends and an hour later, caught Jin Da M.C. putting on an excellent show.

Jin was more of a mature performer than I had imagined. It’s extremely difficult to perform under the circumstances he did. Walking on stage, he started out by paying respect to the previous musicians who were still putting away their instruments. He then progressively turned up the tempo from what was otherwise a subdued event into a jovial party atmosphere.

At one point during his set he called two very ordinary middle-aged people up onto the stage and had them bopping to the beat while he rapped.

[photopress:Jin_MC_stage_HK.jpg,full,pp_image]

He joked with them in a friendly way. “Those glasses are Hip Hop, that suit is Hip Hop, that haircut is Hip Hop!” With his good natured approach, he had me and rest of the audience smiling! He also had a funny line about the name of the event, which reads more like a whole paragraph. What does this show? It illustrates that he is conscious of what’s around him and is constantly processing things – a talent most important in the world of freestyle Hip Hop from which he stems.

[photopress:Jin_MC_rapper_HK.jpg,full,pp_image]

Over the course of the night I noticed that many of Jin’s rhymes were introspective, talking about different points in his career and his status as an Asian-American in Hip Hop. On stage he came across as genuine and humble. He rapped several songs in full Cantonese, including one about 1997. The audience was an interesting mix of people who responded well to the music.

[photopress:Jin_HK_Convention_center.jpg,full,pp_image]

The venue was the foyer of the grand hall of the convention center, with enormously high ceilings. With the lights low, and the sound not overpowering, Jin put on a memorable, intimate performance.

Jin posing with models after the show

[photopress:Jin_MC_Hong_models.jpg,full,pp_image]

Passing though Dragon-i on my way home, I caught Jin guest appearing alongside D.J. Shorty Blitz, a reigning U.K. Hip Hop d.j. playing in Hong Kong for the night. The two were previously acquainted and seemed pleasantly surprised to bump into each other in a foreign city.

[photopress:MC_Jin_DJ_Shorty_Blitz.jpg,full,pp_image]

Jin is performing two shows at Pi (28/F, 8 Wyndham Street, Central) on Friday night. The ticket price is $300 HKD and includes two drinks. You can reserve tickets for the event by calling: 9471-1035. The tickets are limited to 200 people per show!

1 Comment

  • I wanted to send this message somehow to MC Jin… I wrote this one night after having dinner at Yao Ming’s restuarant and bar in Houston, TX… Wanted to let MC Jin know that he’s not the only one fightin and representin and would like some feedback… Thanks!

    Steppin up and representin…
    By Mano Nguyen
    March 25, 2005

    Basil beef at Yao’s restaurant was just first-class
    Dragon Inn Buffet was a thing of the past

    Non-Asian dudes wearing Houston Rocket # 11
    We got Asian street signs next to lucky sevens

    Youngsters now not knowing what we faced
    Taking for granted the spices and green curry paste

    Expanding out, demanding supplies we need
    Growing larger and larger, demographics changed indeed

    We’re your neighbors, doctors, accountants, and
    teachers
    Right next to you at football games in the bleachers

    We paved the road for what is here
    Make understanding for what’s unclear
    Step up, lead and steer
    Continue the path for future years

    Searching for role models to step up to the plate
    An Asian Lebron, wouldn’t that be great?

    Keep fighting to level the playing field
    Opportunities are lopsided for reals

    Break the mold and stereo-types diversify
    Raise the bar, create standards to qualify

    Women don’t have to play roles of dragon lady whores
    Asian dudes don’t have to play karate roles no more

    Ladies, don’t sell out, don’t ever stray
    Stay true to yourself, keep the faith, okay?
    Tell em you’re not an easy lay
    At least don’t give it up from January thru May
    Six months to wait? Hay!!!
    Respect my Asian sister and wait I say

    What makes u think that its alright?
    To portray me in a less masculine light?
    I aint a fobby computer geek, clear your sight
    Treat me like that, we gonna fight

    I’ll dance around you in every single category
    Representing my way in Asian-style glory

    Fellas, be smart and do your part
    Give it your all, all of your heart
    They’ll respect us right from the start

    Fellas, go on and step it up
    We blowin up, hear us erupt

    Asian Brad Pitts are just around the bend
    Step out of the box and tell a friend
    Gear up for some well balanced Asian men

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

three × 2 =