From MC Jin to Awkwafina: Asian-American hip-hop video becomes viral sensation
- A compilation showing the history of Asian-American hip-hop through 46 music videos has taken off online and is inspiring the next generation
- It serves as proof that, rather than Asian-American rap being a neglected musical genre, a thriving community of artists exists
The documentary titled A Music Video History of Asian America was a labour of love for interns at the Pacific Arts Movement, previously known as the San Diego Asian Film Foundation. Using 46 separate music videos, mostly Asian-American hip-hop, their small team crafted a story of the modern Asian experience in America.
The team hoped to educate people about the history of Asian-American rap and hip-hop, but had no idea about the impact their mash-up would have. Since its release around two weeks ago, the video has been all anyone in the world of Asian-American hip hop is talking about.
There is a lingering sense, even among artists and the genre’s biggest fans, that mainstream hip hop has passed Asian Americans by: that their stories aren’t being told in the tracks and their faces aren’t being seen in the music videos. For those outside the community, many people wouldn’t know that Asian-American hip hop even exists or that 46 Asian-American hip hop videos could even have been made.
Which is why watching the video can be such a striking, even emotional experience for Asian Americans and hip hop fans in general.
From the first few bars of Got Rice, the viral novelty song by AZN Pride from the early 2000s, to the recent trap banger Bag That Bao by LA rap trio Nitemrkt, the video will make many listeners realise these songs have been part of the American popular musical landscape all along.
