MC Jin

Jin Au-Yeung

Jin in the earlier days of his rapping career
Chinese name 歐陽靖 (traditional)
Chinese name 欧阳靖 (simplified)
Pinyin Ōuyáng Jìng (Mandarin)
Jyutping au1 joeng4 zing6 (Cantonese)
Birth name Jin-Au Yeung
Ethnicity Hakka
Ancestry Hong Kong[1]
Origin New York City, New York, U.S.
Born 4 June 1982
Miami, Florida, United States
Other name(s) Jin, MC Jin, Jin the Emcee
Occupation Rapper, songwriter, actor
Genre(s) Hip hop
Instrument(s) Vocal
Label(s) QN5 Music
Ruff Ryders/Virgin
Crafty Plugz/Draft Records
Imperial
Universal Music Group
Catch Adventures
Years active 1994–present
Spouse(s) Carol Au-Yeung (m. 2011)[2]
Children 1
Influences Big Pun, Eric B and Rakim, Big L
Official Website mcjin.com
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Au-Yeung.
MC Jin
Traditional Chinese 歐陽靖
Simplified Chinese 欧阳靖

Jin Au-Yeung (born 4 June 1982), who performs under the stage name MC Jin, is an American-born rapper, songwriter, and actor of Chinese descent.[3][4][5][6][7] Born in Miami, Florida, and later living in New York City, he decided to reside permanently in Hong Kong before returning to New York to reside permanently in the summer of 2012.[3][4] He speaks both Cantonese and English fluently, although he is not literate in Chinese. In the United States, he was both the first American solo rapper of East Asian and Hong Kong[8] descent to be signed to a major hip hop record label.[9][10]

Biography

Early life

Jin Au-Yeung was born on June 4, 1982, in Miami, Florida, to Hong Kong immigrants of Hakka descent.[11][12] He was raised in the general Miami area, where his parents owned a strip-mall Chinese restaurant, and where Jin attended schools. While a student at John F. Kennedy Middle School in North Miami Beach, Jin participated in many rap battles with his peers. He also had ice thrown at him daily by the varsity football team.[13]

2001: Freestyle Friday

After graduating from high school in 2000, Jin decided to forgo college[14] and moved him and his family to Flushing, Queens, New York City, in 2001.[13] He began performing freestyles and selling his own mix tapes on the streets, in hip-hop clubs and wherever else possible. While battling on the streets he was spotted by Kamel Pratt who then became his manager and they formed Crafty Plugz Entertainment. His big break came when the BET program 106 & Park began inviting local rappers to hold battles in a segment known as Freestyle Friday. He won all seven battles in a row, enabling him to be inducted in the Freestyle Friday Hall of Fame. Unlike other competitors, Jin spoke Cantonese words in his freestyle verses.

2002–2005: Ruff Ryders Era

That same night of his Hall of Fame induction, he announced that he had signed a deal with the Ruff Ryders. His first single under Ruff Ryders was titled "Learn Chinese". It took a sample from song "Blind Man Can See It", by James Brown (also sampled by Das EFX). The second and final single for the album was originally supposed to be "I Got a Love" featuring Kanye West, but was later changed to "Senorita" because Roc-A-Fella Records did not want to over-expose Kanye West. The album was originally scheduled to be released in the summer of 2003, but was delayed for over a year by the label. In October 2004, Jin released his debut album, The Rest Is History, which reached number 54 of the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.[15] Both of his singles, "Learn Chinese" and "Senorita", failed to be major mainstream successes. Nonetheless, Jin's music video "Learn Chinese" was the first video ever to be played on MTV Chi.

2005–2008: After Ruff Ryders

On 23 April 2005, Jin and rapper Serius Jones engaged in a rap battle. The battle was featured on Fight Klub DVD.[16]

On 18 May 2005, Jin revealed that he would be putting his rap career on hold in order to explore other options. To make this clear, he recorded a song titled "I Quit", produced by the Golden Child. The announcement was widely misunderstood to have marked the end of Jin's rap career. However, he later re-emerged under a different alias, The Emcee, and freestyled over such songs as Jay-Z's "Dear Summer." He released a single called "Top 5 (Dead or Alive)" where Jin displays his lyrical talent in explaining the history of hip-hop's greatest artists. The legendary DJ Kool Herc, who is credited as the founder of hip-hop, appears in Jin's music video. After signing with an independent label, CraftyPlugz/Draft Records, Jin released his second album, The Emcee's Properganda, on 25 October 2005. Jin was also featured on the Taiwanese pop artist Leehom Wang's 2005 album Heroes of Earth.

Jin and Leehom performed their “Heroes of the Earth” collaboration live in Shanghai on 16 February 2006 at an event arranged by Chinese A&R exec Andrew Ballen. Ballen was also the first promoter to bring Jin to mainland China in 2003 for his “The Rest is History” tour.[17]

Jin released two albums in 2006. The first one, 100 Grand Jin is a mixtape/album that was released on 29 August 2006. The single released off the album is "FYI", for which the rapper shot and released a music video. The second album released in 2006 is Jin's third LP, I Promise.

On Jin's MySpace, Jin mentioned that he was working on another English album named "Birthdays, Funerals and Things in Between". Jin premiered a song called "Open Letter to Obama" on 24 April 2007, which made him become 1st on Barack Obama's Top 8 list on MySpace.[18]

On 16 April 2007, Jin made a tribute song to the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre called "Rain, Rain Go Away".[19] Recently Jin has decided to make his 1 November 2006 Internet album put together by Roy P. Perez and his team of producers at Romeo Ent., I Promise, available in retail stores. It was to be released on 23 October 2007.[20]

Jin released a new song through his MySpace page. The song is titled "Fill in the Blanks", and Jin encourages his fans to record their own verse into the song.

2008–2013: Catch Adventures

Jin did a collaboration with Malaysian rapper Point Blanc in a track titled "One Day".[21] The music video can be viewed on YouTube.

He has released a demo song called "Worst Enemy" which has garnered over 130,000 views on his MySpace.[22] He also put the song Welcome to the Light Club on his Myspace page.[23] Jin is a Christian, stating in his song "Welcome to the Light Club" he was baptized in 2008.[24] He has featured in Far East Movement's "Millionaire". He has done a track over a DJ Premier joint titled "World Premier". He also collaborated with producer Trendsetter aka Mark Holiday.[25]

Jin used to reside in Hong Kong. He starred frequently in commercials there, and made numerous appearances on TVB like Big Boys Club. He is also seen as an important part of recent Asian hip hop trends.[26]

He has recently thrown out a Hip-Hop Census in honor of the 2010 Census and Chinese New Year 2010. As said by Jin, this mixtape is open to anybody and will be mixed from the general population along with Jin. He released a mixtape entitled "Say Something", on 15 May 2010. Jin has released an album with his friend Hanjin in 2010.

On 10 July 2010, Jin collaborated with Mandarin singer Hanjin Tan (Chinese: 陳奐仁) to release another Cantonese album 買一送一(Buy one get one free). Jin also released a music video for his English single "Angels".

In December 2010, Jin joined forces with Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang to release a Christmas music video entitled "Rap Now 2010", which he performed for free. The video featured a number of lines ending with "Act Now!" (起錨), echoing a Hong Kong government slogan.[27] A CNN report described the video as an "official eyesore" and "a political message thinly veiled as a Christmas card", and further criticised Jin's rapping as resembling "awkward nursery rhymes", in contrast to his earlier performances.[28] However, local newspaper The Standard, in response to critics, stated in an editorial that "Tsang, like the millions who post videos of themselves or their loved ones, only wants to have fun."[29]

On 7 March 2011, Jin released a music video for a song from his upcoming English album entitled "Charlie Sheen," collaborating with artists Dumbfoundead and Traphik/Timothy DeLaGhetto. Jin released an EP titled Sincerely Yours, a Christian-oriented and self-improvement-oriented EP featuring many positive messages about life and many insights on his own life. Jin released his new single called "Shoot for the Moon" on 4 June 2011.

On 16 May 2011, Jin released the track "AIYA" featuring label-mate, Toestah. He released a video on his YouTube channel consisting of hundreds of pictures of fans holding the aiya logo.

On 8 August 2011, Jin released an all Cantonese album, "Homecoming" in Hong Kong. And has since released several singles and music videos on YouTube.

Jin also announced that he is working on his next full English album for 2012. Jin has since returned to the United States to reside permanently in New York again.

In February 2012, Jin released a re-vamped version of his EP, Sincerely Yours 2.0, featuring some of the same lyrics, but many others changed, slightly altering the overall feel of the record.

In August 2012, Jin released his English album, "Crazy Love Ridiculous Faith," an album in which he positively addresses both Christians and non-Christians. This album is intended to show a maturity in himself, as well. He released it for free download immediately at crazyloveridiculousfaith.com .

In December 2012, Jin released an EP called "Brand New EP," which includes many new singles and also carries a very positive energy.

2013-present: The Great Company

In late 2013, Jin signed a new deal a independent label named "The Great Company." The first track to be released on the label was called"Hypocrite (The Gold Chapter)." In December 21, 2013, Jin released the first Ep under the label called "Hypocrite." In October 21, 2014, the label released Jin's first album under their label. The album was called XIV:LIX. The album featured Teesa, Hollis, Stacie Bollman, Tim Be Told, Bére and Storm.

Personal life

On 12 February 2011, MC Jin and his Chinese American wife, Carol, got married in Puerto Rico.[2] In summer 2012 Jin had a son whom he named Chance.

MC Jin has been a born again Christian since 2009.[30] He has expressed his faith in his music since becoming a born again Christian.

Other activities

In 2006, the PlayStation 2/Xbox video game "NBA Ballers: Phenom" featured MC Jin as one of the rapper characters along with Ludacris and Hot Sauce.

Responding to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Jin participated with Jackie Chan and numerous other celebrities in a special three-hour charity concert on 1 April 2011 to help raise funds for Japan's disaster recovery effort.[31][32]

Aiya!

Aiya! is Jin's catchphrase and has been used by him many times recently. It is a Cantonese interjection which is roughly equivalent to "Oh my gosh!" An image/logo has been created recently that was designed by Tom Ngo. The Logo could be printed out and then you could take a picture of yourself with it and get into the video for his song "Aiya!"(featuring Toestah).[33] Jin also refers to his fans as his "AIYAfambam" or as the "AIYAmaniacs".

Discography

Main article: Jin discography

Studio albums

  • 100 Grand Jin
    • Released: 29 August 2006
    • Label: Crafty Plugz/Draft Records
    • Chart positions: –
  • I Promise
    • Released on MySpace: 1 November 2006 – 27 November 2006
    • Label: Crafty Plugz
      • Released in stores: 23 October 2007
        • Label: Crafty Plugz/Phase One Communications
        • Chart positions: –
  • ABC
    • Released: 20 February 2007
    • Label: Crafty Plugz/Catch Music Group/Imperial/Raptivism
    • Chart positions: –
      • ABC Hong Kong Edition
        • Release: 8 August 2008
        • Label: Universal Music Hong Kong
  • 回香靖
    • Released: 8 August 2011
    • Label: Catch Music Group
    • Chart positions: –
  • CrazyLoveRidiculousFaith
    • Released: August 2012
    • Label: Catch Music Group
  • XIV:LIX (album)
    • Released: October 21, 2014
    • Label: The Great Company

Collaboration albums

  • 買一送一 (With 陳奐仁 aka Hanjin)
    • Released: 13 July 2010
    • Label: BBS Records

Songs in

  • The Redemption Vol. 4
    • (Ruff Ryders Artists Album)
    • Songs Included: Aim 4 The Head(with Cassidy and J-Hood)
    • Released: 22 June 2005
    • Label: Ruff Ryders/Artemis
    • Chart positions: 40
  • NBA Ballers: Phenom

EPs

  • Sincerely Yours EP
    • Released: May 2011
    • Label: Catch Music Group
  • Sincerely Yours 2.0
    • Released: February 2012
    • Label: Catch Music Group
  • Brand New EP
    • Released: 12 December 2012
    • Label: Catch Music Group
  • Hypocrite
    • Released: 10 December 2013
    • Label: The Great Company

Music videos

Year Video Director Video Link(YouTube) Notes
2004 "Learn Chinese" (featuring Wyclef Jean)[34] Jin – Learn Chinese emimusic
"Senorita"[35] Jin – Senorita emimusic
2005 "Top 5 (Dead or Alive)" Todd Angkasuwan Jin - Top 5 (Dead or Alive) (Music Video) joemsyt Uses a collection of people voting for their top 5 rappers.
"Come Closer (Kohl Aaja)" (with Juggy D) Juggy D feat Jin – Come Closer (Kohl Aaja) 2Point9Records
2006 "FYI"(featuring Young Mac)/"100 Grand Jin" Todd Angkasuwan Jin ft.Young Mac – FYI CraftyFan Two songs.
2007 "Yo Yo Ma" (with Sphere) JIN Yo Yo Ma CarlChoi Contains a mix of languages including English, Japanese and Cantonese.
"ABC" Todd Angkasuwan Jin 歐陽靖 'ＡＢＣ' MV universalmusichk Cantonese. Contains a short appearance of the producers of the song, Far East Movement.
2008 "搵兩餐"(featuring Ken Oak) Daniel Wu / Jason Tobin Jin 歐陽靖 '搵兩餐' MV universalmusichk Cantonese
"飲啖茶" Evan Jackson Leong Jin 歐陽靖 '飲啖茶' MV universalmusichk Cantonese
"香港Superstar" Jason Tobin Jin 歐陽靖 '香港Superstar' MV universalmusichk Cantonese
"上堂時間" Jin 歐陽靖 '上堂時間' MV universalmusichk Cantonese
"喂喂搵邊位" Kim Chan Jin 歐陽靖 '喂喂搵邊位' MV universalmusichk Cantonese
2010 "Angels"[36] Hosanna Wong JIN "Angels" Official Music Video (2010) AyoJinTV
"The A List" Carl Choi/Jin Au-Yeung Deleted from YouTube.
"711" (featuring KT) "711" – MC Jin feat. KT ayojinhk Cantonese. Filmed in 7-Eleven.
"It's About Time" Romago Presents: MC Jin "It's About Time" ayojinhk Cantonese
2011 "Charlie Sheen" (with Traphik & Dumbfoundead)[37] Kevin Boston "CHARLIE SHEEN" Traphik, Jin, Dumbfoundead TimothyDeLaGhetto2
"人氣急升" Kevin Boston MC Jin人氣急升MV ayojinhk Cantonese
"Aiya!" (featuring Toestah) AIYA – Jin feat. Toestah AyoJinTV Song repeated twice to fit all pictures in.
"Shoot for the Moon" Carl Choi JIN "Shoot for the Moon" Official Music Video (2011) AyoJinTV Song edited for video. Uses various images and video from his life and career.
"發咗達" Benny Lou MC Jin發咗達MV ayojinhk Cantonese
"立立亂" Evan Jackson Leong MC Jin立立亂MV ayojinhk Cantonese
"紅館見" MCJin紅館見MV ayojinhk Cantonese
"When The Lights Come On" (featuring Joseph Vincent) Duno Tran "When The Lights Come On" (Official Music Video) – Jin feat. Joseph Vincent AyoJinTV
2012 "率性" (with KT & Kiki Tam) MCJin/KT/KikiTam率性MV ayojinhk Cantonese
"Brand New Me" Todd Angkasuwan "Brand New Me"
"Open Arms" Brian Tang (StopMotionClub Productions) Open Arms
2013 "Feel Good" (with Toestah & Joseph Vincent) Simon Yin Feel Good feat. Toestah & Joseph Vincent
2013 "I Break Stereotypes" (with HeeSun Lee ) I Break Stereotypes" (with HeeSun Lee)
2014 "Complicated" Brad Wong MC JIN - Complicated ft. Hollis (Official Music Video)

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2003 Jin: The Making of a Rap Star Himself Documentary about him
2 Fast 2 Furious Jimmy
2005 The MC: Why We Do It Himself Documentary
The Art of 16 Bars: Get Ya' Bars Up Himself Documentary. Volume 2 of "The MC: Why We Do It"
Live From New York Himself Documentary. Footage filmed in 2002.
2007 Beef IV Himself as a recording artist
No Sleep Til Shanghai Himself Documentary about him
2009 Split Second Murders 死神傻了
2010 Gallants Chung Sang-mang Major Role
Bruce Lee, My Brother (aka: Young Bruce Lee) Unicorn Chan Supporting Role
1040[38] Himself Documentary
2011 Turning Point 2 Yeung Lap-chin Minor Role
2012 The Man with the Iron Fists Chan
2014 Revenge of the Green Dragons
20?? Street Struck: The Big L Story Himself Documentary. unknown release date.
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2002 106 & Park Himself (as a Competitor and Guest) As Freestyle Friday competitor and guest
2004 Himself (as a Judge) As Freestyle Friday Judge
2009 Cooking 媽嫲 Himself (as Host)
2010 Show Me the Happy Himself Episode 25
Jade Solid Gold Himself (as Host)
Big Boys Club Himself (as Host)
2011 Himself (as Host)
Stairway to Dragon Himself (as Host)
Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir! Himself
Lives of Omission Officer Yeung Lap-ching
Kung Fu Supernova Himself (as Host)
Top Eats 100 Himself (as Host)
2012 Highs and Lows Ng Dak-tim (Saadaam Tim)
2014 The Ultimate Addiction Chu Kwok-leung

Awards

Acting Awards
Year Award Nominated Work Result Notes
2011 TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste[39] Show Me the Happy, Big Boys Club, Stairway to Dragon, Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir!, Lives of Omission, Kung Fu Supernova, Top Eats 100 Won
TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character Lives of Omission Nominated

Rap battles

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Competition/Event Opponent Result Notes
2000 Grab the Mic 2000 Montu Win
Infinite Win
RK Win
2001 Blade Battle Parable, OBCT Win Three way battle
Hookt Awar Win
Stereotype Win
ManyStyles Win
Lu Cipher Win
Four Corners PackFM Win
Icon the Mic King Win
Perfecto Win
Super Bowl 2001 Esoteric Loss
Scribble Jam '01 Alias Loss
2002 106 & Park's Freestyle Friday Hasan Win as the challenger
Sterling Win as the champion
Skitzo Win as the champion
Skyzoo Win as the champion
Lucky Luciano Win as the champion
Logan Win as the champion
Sean Nicholas Win as the champion – inducted into the Hall of Fame
2004 Javits Center Kamikaze Grey Win
Fight Klub Mixshow Power Summit Wreckonize Win
Fight Klub Mixshow Power Summit Shells Win Won final prize of $50,000
JUMP OFF/Jin's 'The Rest Is History' Concert Saint N/A
2005 JUMP OFF Professor Green Win
Hot Import Nights Los Angeles Speakz N/A
Hot Import Nights San Mateo Mistah F.A.B. Win
Smack DVD Verse Win
Fight Klub Streetz The Block Win
Fight Klub Serius Jones Loss
Fight Klub Mixshow Power Summit Professor Green Win Won final prize of $50,000
2006 San Francisco Bay Festival Arukasaki Win
2007 Fight Klub Iron Solomon Loss

References

  1. ↑ 星期日大班第8集嘉賓︰歐陽靖 (MC Jin). YouTube (1 February 2009). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 MC Jin holds his wedding in Puerto Rico | Hong Kong TVB Entertainment Daily News. Hongkongmorning.com (18 March 2011). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kanaal van AyoJinTV. YouTube. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Kanaal van ayojinhk. YouTube (8 March 2010). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  6. ↑ Music in Hong Kong – Venues, Events and Music Listings – Time Out Hong Kong | The Changing Face of Cantopop: MC Jin. Timeout.com.hk (25 July 2011). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  7. ↑ MC Jin – 立立乱 MV. Asian Hip Hop Times (25 September 2011). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  8. ↑ 星期日大班第8集嘉賓︰歐陽靖 (MC Jin). YouTube (1 February 2009). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  9. ↑ Jin tha’ MC: Putting Asia on the Hip-Hop Map. APAmusic (11 September 2001). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  10. ↑ East West – The Asian American Lifestyle Magazine – Jin: Freestyling to the Top. Eastwestmagazine.com. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  11. ↑ Lee, Wing-Sze (3 March 2013). "MC Jin, re-branded". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  12. ↑ Birchmeier, Jason. "Jin – Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Coates, Ta-Nehisi (21 November 2004). "Just Another Quick-Witted, Egg-Roll-Joke-Making, Insult-Hurling Chinese-American Rapper". New York Times. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  14. ↑ San Francisco Bay Guardian Arts and Entertainment. Sfbg.com (26 October 2004). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  15. ↑ Billboard.com – Artist Chart History – Jin
  16. ↑ Jin The Emcee : Rap, Hip-Hop Interview. Riotsound.com. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  17. ↑ MC Jin in Shanghai.
  18. ↑ jin_june 5th NYC Obama organizing speech. YouTube (7 June 2007). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  19. ↑ rainraingoaway.mp3. theemcee.com. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  20. ↑ Jin Re-Issues 2006 Internet Album To Stores | BallerStatus.com | NEWS. BallerStatus.com (18 November 2011). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  21. ↑ Materealize Presents: Point Blanc ft. Jin – One Day. YouTube (27 July 2008). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  22. ↑ Myspace. Myspace (21 September 2008). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  23. ↑ Battle rapper Jin finds the Light. rapzilla.com. 29 August 2009
  24. ↑ Daily News – : Jin The MC Becomes Christian Rapper. Allhiphop.com (3 September 2009). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  25. ↑ Myspace. Myspace. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  26. ↑ Rise of Asian Rap and Hip Hop. PopularTrash. Retrieved on 14 February 2012.
  27. ↑ "曾荫权拍MV贺新年活力四射 手舞足蹈唱Rap", Xinhua News, 20 December 2010, retrieved 17 September 2011
  28. ↑ "Donald Tsang's hip hop Christmas greeting and other official eyesores of 2010", CNNGo, 10 December 2010, retrieved 11 September 2011
  29. ↑ "Tsang video critics may be off-key", The Standard, 20 December 2010, retrieved 17 September 2011
  30. ↑ Isha "Ice" Cole (3 September 2009). "Jin The MC Becomes Christian Rapper". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  31. ↑ Japan Earthquake Song Music Video – The Official Website of Jackie Chan. Jackiechan.com. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  32. ↑ Jackie Chan and HK celebrities to raise funds for quake victims in Japan. News.xinhuanet.com (25 March 2011). Retrieved on 25 November 2011.
  33. ↑ Jin-Aiya(featuring Toestah) MV. YouTube
  34. ↑ Jin-Learn Chinese. YouTube
  35. ↑ Jin-Senorita. YouTube
  36. ↑ Jin-Angels. YouTube
  37. ↑ Jin, Traphik, Dumbfoundead-Charlie Sheen. YouTube
  38. ↑ http://1040movie.com/
  39. ↑ TVB awards list. Jaynestars.com. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jin (rapper).
Awards and achievements
TVB Anniversary Awards
Preceded by
Raymond Wong
for A Watchdog's Tale ; When Lanes Merge ; Can't Buy Me Love ; No Regrets		 Most Improved Actor
2011
for Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir!; Lives of Omission 		Succeeded by
Oscar Leung
for L'Escargot ; Queens of Diamonds and Hearts ; House of Harmony and Vengeance ; Tiger Cubs ; The Confidant