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Joji
The Japanese-Australian who shed his YouTube-comedy past to make sad-boy R&B became the first Japanese artist in the Hot 100's top 10 since 1963 — a diaspora reinvention hiding inside a heartbreak ballad.
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· Bryan Ke
Joji Becomes the First Asian-Born Artist to Top Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart
Japanese-born artist Joji just reached the #1 spot in Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with his freshly launched “Ballads 1” album under New York-based media company 88rising.
· Michelle De Pacina
16 Asian artists set to own the stage at Coachella 2022 — Listen to them now
Coachella is finally back! Here’s a list of all the Asian artists performing at one of the world’s biggest music festivals. After two years of cancellations and delays because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is set to return this month. The…
· Carl Samson
‘She’s being very Asian’: Viewer criticizes Korean American anchor for talking about dumpling soup on New Year’s Day
A Korean American news anchor in Missouri said on air that she had dumpling soup on New Year’s Day. A viewer called in to say she took offense to the anchor’s remarks, saying white people would not be allowed to speak the same way. Celebrities, journalists, politicians,…
· Bryan Ke
‘Dragon Ball’ series narrator, anime voice actor Jouji Yanami dies at 90
Joji Yanami, a voice actor who gave life to many memorable characters, including the narrator of Akira Toriyama’s “Dragon Ball” anime series, has passed away at the age of 90. What happened: News of his death was shared by his agency, Aoni Production, on Tuesday, according to…
· Michelle De Pacina
Henry Golding says diversity shouldn’t impact who is cast as next James Bond
“Snake Eyes” and “Crazy Rich Asians” star Henry Golding recently shared his opinion on factoring in diversity during the search for the next James Bond. The 007 mantle: After Daniel Craig bid farewell to the role of James Bond in “No Time to Die,” Golding shared that diversity…
· Khier Casino
‘No Time to Die’ director Cary Fukunaga says ‘a lot of people upset’ no matter who plays Bond after Daniel Craig
Cary Fukunaga is the second filmmaker of Asian descent and the first Asian American to direct a James Bond movie with “No Time to Die,” and he hopes his involvement in the franchise inspires young people to break into filmmaking. Lee Tamahori, a filmmaker of Maori ancestry,…
· Ryan General
First Asian American ‘James Bond’ director Cary Fukunaga shares his pride in being the ‘other’
Cary Joji Fukunaga, the first American director to helm a James Bond film with the upcoming “No Time To Die,” recently shared his pride in having a multiracial background. On being the “other”: The Japanese American filmmaker revealed in an interview with Hollywood Reporter that…
· Editorial Staff
Japanese Teen Achieves Dream of Dating Godzilla
A 13-year-old girl in Japan has achieved her dream of snagging a date with Godzilla. Seira Watanabe, who lives in Hyogo Prefecture, has long been a fan of the fictional monster, collecting action figures and mastering its roar.
· Bryan Ke
Japan’s Richest Man Says Racial Tensions Are ‘Breaking’ America
The world’s view on the United States is changing as it faces country-wide protests following the murder of George Floyd, according to 71-year-old Japanese billionaire Tadashi Yanai. Yanai, who is the current CEO, chairman, and president of Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing, recently…
· Maina Chen
How Mixed Asian Artist Alex Porat Connects to Her Asian Heritage
Alex Porat, a Chinese-Polish Toronto-based singer, songwriter discussed her dual identity alongside the release of her new single “happy for you.” The 22-year-old singer celebrates diversity encouraged by her Malaysia-born, Chinese mother and her Polish father. From a young age,…
· Ryan General
NIKI and Rich Brian to Become the First Indonesians to Perform at Coachella
Los Angeles-based NIKI and Rich Brian are both set to become the first Indonesian artists to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Held each year at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, Coachella is regarded as one of the largest, most famous and most…
· Bryan Ke
Rich Brian ‘Regrets’ Taking This Photo For Guess Collaboration
Guess displayed one of its giant advertisements for the GUESS x 88rising collaboration at one of its branches and Rich Brian is regretting his decision to pose for a photoshoot. View this post on Instagram i didnt know they were gonna put it up this big in the storefronts why…
· Bryan Ke
Japanese Temple DGAF What People Think of Their Naked Men Bathing Paintings
A temple in Niigata Prefecture, Japan is causing quite the stir for its decision to use erotic art depicting historical and mythical men bathing together while in the nude.
· Ryan General
Japan Has ‘Dining Capsules’ For Single People Who Don’t Want to See or Talk to Anyone
Diners who don’t have anyone to share a meal with at family restaurants can now find solace in the new single-person dining capsules in Japan. Family restaurant chain Gusto reportedly decided to introduce single-person semi-private dining boxes after noticing so many students…
· Elliot Sang
Korea’s Keith Ape Keeps Making Bangers, But Can He Finally Crossover in America?
Keith Ape wears his American influences about as boldly as any Asian artist; born Dongheon Lee, he lifted the name “Keith” from legendary graphic designer Keith Haring. The 24-year old has spent some years in Los Angeles after the success of his 2015 single, “It G Ma,” a viral…
· Editorial Staff
Meet NIKI, Indonesia’s Rising R&B Star
“I always had the mindset I wasn’t going to make it because I’m Asian – and no Asians ever make it.” These were the thoughts that sat in the mind of Indonesian singer NIKI when she was growing up aspiring to be an artist in America. However, her beliefs were not unfounded —…
· Ricky Yean
I Hope ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Isn’t Going to Be a Flop
I just found out that there’s a movie coming out this summer with an all-Asian cast called “Crazy Rich Asians” and it’s making me very nervous. Is this supposed to be our “Black Panther” moment for stereotype-shattering Asian-American representation in mainstream media? OK,…
· Ryan General
Rich Brian Becomes the First Asian to Land #1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Charts With ‘Amen’
Talented Indonesian hip-hop star Rich Brian has made history for being the first Asian artist to land number 1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Charts. The viral internet wonder formerly known as “Rich Chigga” achieved the phenomenal feat with his newest album, “Amen”, which was released…
· Bryan Ke
Filipino Megachurch Buys Entire Ghost Town in Connecticut for $1.8 Million
Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), a church group originally based in the Philippines, recently bought the historic ghost town, Johnsonville Village, in Connecticut. Priced at $1.8 million, the 62-acre property was purchased by the group, which is often referred to as INC, in…
· Ryan General
Japanese Company Plans to Dump Fukushima Toxic Waste into the Pacific Ocean
To the disgust of local residents, the firm assigned to clean up the waste from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster has decided that the radioactive waste it collected could be dumped into the Pacific Ocean. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) chairman Takashi Kawamura…
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