Shanghaiist: Jay-Z coming to Shanghai ... or is he?

A.Robb

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:11:47 +0800

Manding-Congo linguistic family? Afro-Mamaicans? Wow. And all this time I thought rap came from the Bronx. Anyhow, it sucks that Jay-Z isn't performing. Anyone know if he's still coming to Shanghai, doing a club appearance, anything?

Nubianem

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 07:33:08 +0800

As one who studies rap/hip-hop culture and who also does some linguistic studies, the form of 'poetry' that rap-hip/hop uses comes from the African Manding-Congo linguistic family. That language family spread from Africa all the way to Melanesia, Southern China and Hawaii, then the Americas between 100,000 years ago to 30,000 years ago. Take a listen to the languages from Western Sudan, Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria and such places -- take a look at the names of people. All are similar or identical to Chinese names. Take a look at some of the features of people from South Africa to Nigeria - many have similar features except for Africans having 'yellowish-brown to blue-black' complections and curly hair, while the Chinese are fairskinned to a 'yellow-brown' complection. As far as rap/and Chinese accepting of it. We have to remember that rap/hip-hop is first an ancient African form that uses the very same 'tonal' and linguistic 'syntax' as Manding-Congo languages. That form, tonality and syntax is found in some Chinese, South Indian, Melanesian languages. Also, the development of Reggae is responsible for the form that became 'rap/hip-hop,' that form is called 'toasting' and 'dubbing.' Both are Jamaican forms. Reggae music in Jamaica is one of the very many industries that Jamaican-Chinese and Afro-Mamaicans cooperate in to create some very good music. Added to that, there is a Jamaican Chinese people called 'Black Chinese' (many Chinese mails stolen and sent to the Caribbean to work married African women and were accepted in the African culture and African-American culture during the 1800's - in fact one African-Amerian Austronaut has Chinese Ancestors from Cambodia) with great musicians and band leaders like 'Byron Lee and the Dragoneers' who are master performers and musicians and are in the Reggae and Calypso music industry. There are also many other Chinese like the Chins, the Kongs and other great reggae music producers. So, rap and hip-hop will suit the chinese language and sense of loving color variations very well. Moreover, the Chinese language and the Manding-Congo language type which is where 'rapping' (to say poetry and recite the history of the African Kings - a feat also expressed on drums and with harps and stringed instruments), will be easy for the Chinese. Of course, rap/hip-hop in China will have to suit the Chinse cultural values, just as much of it has to suit the cultural values of African-Americans over 25 who listen to a very different type of rap/hip-hop compared to what teenagers listen to. nubianem@webtv.net http://sexyloveromancepoems.blogstream.com

Nubianem

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 07:08:39 +0800

There is no doubt that lyrical content in rap/hip-hop has to change. Anyway, the rap form of saying poetry comes from the African "Manding-Congo' and Cushi linguistic system of Africa. That language system is 'tonal' JUST LIKE CHINESE. Therefore, rap sang in Chinese can be done due to the similarities between some African language/syntax forms and some Chinese dialects. "Rap, Rhyme and Rhythm: Rapsody in Hip-Hop, Rhythm and Rhyme," at http://www.buybooksontheweb.com http://community.webtv.net/pabarton http://members.tripod.com/pointingbird/lostfeatherintl/id59.htm http://www.soundchristian.com/man

Nubianem

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 07:01:55 +0800

Let's hope a lesson is learned from the JayZ situation. The time has come to start using rap/hip-hop to uplift, educate and promote understanding and consciousness. After we pass a certain age, the lyrics have to change. After we have attained a certain stature, we have to graduate to a higher level. The fans on the other hand has to be a mixture of youth and over twenty-five and we who write rap/hip-hop lyrics have to write and sing material that suites an older crowd.

MoJo

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 13:48:27 +0800

Jin was already here earlier this year... but I wouldn't be surprised if he returned to Shanghai sometime later this year.

Heath

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:54:27 +0800

Sooo, when is Jin the MC gonna come here? That'd be interesting to see.

MoJo

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:08:53 +0800

BTW, Rock-A-Fella and Def Jam don't update their site as much as they should... I would check back in a couple weeks and see what develops.

MoJo

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:02:59 +0800

"The censorship guys will have alot of fun trying to decipher Jay-Z's lyrics for "culturally incorrect" thinking." They'll get paid off. if Ice-T, Jin and Common can make it happen, I think Jigga can do his thing. "if anybody knows what it is happening in shanghai, about the politic situation... sounds really bad !" Honestly, it might be a good look for China. Tells people around the world that China is loosening up. Then again, we'll see how this goes... I think with all the buzz going around, he'll do the gig. Singapore is probably more ready for a good Jay-Z caliber show compared to the mainland, however, China needs this, Jay-Z has an opportunity to really open up his fan base (and there's a lot of potential fans for the taking in the "middle kingdom") and he's planning on opening the 40/40 club out here. C'mon, ya'll... the ball is in his court. He'll come back with the 45. -- MoJo

Eyal

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:51:17 +0800

Singapore, Shanghai, what's the difference? ;-) I can't see anything on Singapore's ticketing site sistic.com.sg so I think you guys in Shanghai will be the lucky ones.

nanheyangrouchuan

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 00:58:49 +0800

The censorship guys will have alot of fun trying to decipher Jay-Z's lyrics for "culturally incorrect" thinking.

Micah

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 22:43:19 +0800

You could call up the Hongkou Football Stadium ticket office to confirm. They're already selling tickets, I hear. http://blog.hiphoproom.net/eb/article.asp?id=230: 说唱天王Jay-Z上海演唱会　　时间：2006年10月23日　19：30 地点：虹口足球场票价：800、600、500、400、300、100元订票热线：8008207910、4008207910、021-62728333 顺便说下100元的已经停票了~~

gabyu

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 21:16:14 +0800

if anybody knows what it is happening in shanghai, about the politic situation... sounds really bad !

Mike

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 17:34:37 +0800

If anybody gets more information about this: to confirm that Jay-Z is playing on that date or otherwise, please post here, I'm very keen to know as I think this will be a great show. Also, I notice on the Rocafella website that the Hong Kong date is still listed as TBC, anybody have any info about that? Mike