2NE1 Spotlight

I write a lot of about Korean Pop. I know. I love it. Sue me. Eventually French, Japanese and others may make into the mix but for now, Hallyu wave it is.

There is a reason, though. Soon you will see these artist in the United States, on MTV and VH1, and I don’t want you guys to be surprised. Producers such as Teddy Riley, Kanye West, Common and Will. I. Am, have taken a feverish interest in the Hallyu wave, so it’s only a matter of time before this music (albeit in English) washes us on our shores.



Besides the Wonder Girls (who are traveling all across America now), the next group you’re more than likely to see blowing up all over the place, is 2NE1. Will. I. Am has taken a heavy interest in them, producing most of the tracks that will appear on their English language album. It could be the talented voices of Dara, Pak Bom, Minzy and CL. It could be the charisma of the four ladies, especially of their Leader CL. YG Entertainment is more aligned with a hip hop urban feel which differentiates the ladies from other female pop groups. Either way, the ladies of 2NE1 are already making music that will definitely fit in with the Pop laced radio airwaves here in America. Here are a couple of their videos.

Check them out. (English Subtitled)

“FIRE”


“It Hurts (Apeyo)”

The Utter Ridiculousness of…

dubbed anime.

This is a rant. A literary rant, but a rant nonetheless.

I understand the NEED for it. I wouldn’t have discovered anime in the first place if it hadn’t been dubbed into a language my 10 year old ears could comprehend. But when I discovered subbed, the sheer ridiculousness of dubbed over voices blew me away. Again, it’s a necessary evil. A lot of people’s ears think the Japanese language sounds harsh, and have no want nor need to read subtitles.

I get that, this is a biased opinion anyway. To me, dubbed anime SOUNDS recorded as if I can imagine an actor standing before a microphone and reading the script. There is no emotion and the inflictions they used to imitate emotions are so outlandish that it’s cringeworthy.

I had the pleasure of watching Bleach dubbed the other day, and let me tell you. I SHANT ever do that again. It’s as if they aren’t paying ANY attention to how they naturally pronounce the Japanese names. I mean if you’re going to use them, at least pronounce them correctly. No?

Inuyasha. Jesus.

His name is Inuyasha. There is NO stressor on “INU” nor is it pronounced “INYU”, yet how did we hear his name being pronounced over and over again? And for the love of the #OtakuBasedGod, it is and will always be Kah’go’meh. Whoever the hell KUH-GO-MEH is, well she doesn’t’ exist in the Inuyasha world.

My point? I really don’t have one. I just think at some point, any true anime head that is still watching dubbed anime shouldn’t call themselves that. They should just realize they live in a halfsy-halfsy word were white people star as Dragon Ball Z characters and it’s acceptable.

Listen to the Rurouni Kenshin English language voice actors jackshithefuck up. It’s hilarious.





(My Sake’….OPPS!!! I meant my sake!)

Jay Park Spotlight: 1000


Park Jaebeom also know in South Korea and the States as Jay Park has been pinging off radars for a while (the radars under the surface, like submarines do, woodie). Born in Seattle and then scouted for JYPE entertainment in South Korea, Jay was once the leader of famous idol group 2PM until his departure. Since then he’s been signed to another label and has hit the ground running with his solo act.

He was chosen as the opening act for Ne-Yo when the singer did his first South Korean concert and performed “Love” with Musiq Soulchild in the same vein.



Collectively, as reported on allhiphop.com (@allhiphopcom), Park is recording under Teddy Riley and has completed tracks with Snoop Dogg and T-Pain. They will appear on his first solo album.

Check out Level 1000 by Jay Park feat DOK2.

@jaybumaom

Hari Kari Spotlight

Do ya’ll even know what Hari Kari is…nevermind.

Okay! So I peeped this a month or two ago, and I realized that as hot as it was, it really didn’t get the shine I thought it deserved. Nick and Amy, founders of Karmin music, apparently are the ruling monarchs of the modern day YouTube cover.



Nick a musical genius (who plays a MEAN trombone – check out the All of The Lights Cover) and Amy with her smooth vocals and sulty sound have come together to take YouTube by storm with their covers of various songs such as Forget You by CeeLo Green, Set Fire to the Rain by Adele and enough hip hop covers to make you wonder where have they been hiding these two. Here are a couple of their rap covers.

The more famous of the bunch, the Look At Me Now Cover. Amy pretty much sees Busta on this then matches him. Nick is tearing that keyboard up!



I think I’m in love with Amy.



Here are them doing a set with the Roots at Tufts University (Look at Me Now Cover)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3A9Biseb4s

You can check out Amy and Nick on their Youtube page @ Karmin Covers
or at http://karminmusic.com/
@karminmusic