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Enjoy the full version online at http://www.gamegirladvance.com/archives/2008/04/10/black_american_enka_singer_jero.html
April 10, 2008
Black American Enka Singer Jero
He's not bad but the "freak show" culture around his TV appearance is so typically Japanese and kinda depressing. There are plenty of shows like this on Japanese TV, shows that are basically, "OMG LOOK this non-Japanese person can use chopsticks/do kendo/play the shamisen/speak JAPANESE." It's not that hard, people. Get over yourselves. Japanese people don't have a monopoly on singing Japanese songs. That said, it's a pretty rare coincidence of personal history, interest, and talent that created a marketable and decent black enka singer... Posted by jane at April 10, 2008 01:19 PMComments
I'm not sure that it's shocking to the Japanese in the sense that it's egregious; Instead it's like saying, "Hey look an outsider has embraced our culture. That's peculiar." It's like the first time I saw highlights of a woman dunking on ESPN. I wasn't shocked that a woman intruded on a space reserved for men. I was shocked in the sense I saw something different. A black guy singing enka? That's different. Posted by: AJ Papa on April 10, 2008 02:00 PMI wouldn't consider that to be Enka. There is none of the ultra wobbley vibrato. Also, is he really singing or just milly vanillying it? Posted by: lion-gv on April 10, 2008 03:05 PMNot that Americans do not do the same thing, especially in regard to those crazy Japanese. Though I can say I was kind of surprised that there is a music show (Music Machine) hosted by a Japanese-fluent foreigner. I thought you had to be wearing a kimono for it to be real Enka? Posted by: Alice Lee on April 11, 2008 12:15 PMNot that Americans do not do the same thing, especially in regard to those crazy Japanese. Though I can say I was kind of surprised that there is a music show (Music Machine) hosted by a Japanese-fluent foreigner. I thought you had to be wearing a kimono for it to be real Enka? Posted by: Alice Lee on April 11, 2008 12:23 PM
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