Asian Cannon Fodder

American Idol has an Asian problem.  The Asians featured on the show are there for one reason: to be laughed at.  The producers seem to think Asian Americans are either morbidly bad singers (William Hung) or disposable clowns (Sanjaya Malakar).  Asian contestants are not considered serious contenders; they are "cannon fodder."

In response to the stereotyping that is a staple of this small-minded show, this edition of the Good Music Corner focuses on the contemporary music of Asians.  From the sugary froth of J-Pop, to Thailand's pleng phua cheewit, to the spinning rhythms of South Korea's b-boy scene, these are serious musicians with serious chops.

America is a country of many heritages.  Now on it's 8th season, it is high time Idol acknowledged the musicianship of some talented Asians... or even crowned an Asian American Idol.  

INDIA / SRI LANKA: A movie needs two things to rock in my book: Irrfan Khan and a kickin' soundtrack.  Slumdog Millionaire has 'em both.  

Slumdog is a poignant hip hop romp through the lower rungs of India's hierarchy.  The entire soundtrack is filled to the brim with pulsing tribal tracks.  Indian composer A.R. Rahman kicks the film off on a high note with the heart pumping "O... Saya."  This Oscar-nominated song also features the uber-popular M.I.A., who was born of Tamil heritage and spent a portion of her childhood on the Southeast Asian island of Sri Lanka.

"My Banjo and I" by Hanggai

MONGOLIA, CHINA: "Most of our people have moved away from the old way of life," says Ilchi, the lead singer of Hanggai.  "After moving to the cities, we have gradually been subjected to a very strong invasion by an oppressive culture.  Traditional music has completely lost its space" (NPR).  

Hanggai marches at the forefront of a Chinese folk music revival with its 2008 debut album, Introducing Hanggai.  The grasslands of Mongolia are disappearing in the wake of China's urbanization, a reality that sparked former punk rocker Ilchi to seek out his Mongolian roots.  Ilchi and Hanggai utilize tobshuurs and throat singing to bring to life Mongolian folk songs that would otherwise have faded to extinction.  

"Sun-Dance--Moon-Dance" by Bleach 03

OKINAWA, JAPAN:  "They may be young and small, but they make a very large, explosive roar" (Last.FM).

Sayuri, Kana and Miya shatter the glass of Asian stereotypes.  These three diminutive Japanese girls forego Hello Kitty backpacks and Fruit fashions in favor of ripped T-shirts and screaming thrash punk songs.  This aggressive track is from the girls' self-titled 2005 album and utilizes the animalist screams and wicked guitars that put their American counterparts to shame.  Caution: this music will rock your socks off.

"Know Your Chicken" by Cibo Matto

NEW YORK CITY, U.S.A.: "These girls are marvellously inventive and imaginative, with music that makes your mind smile" (Smartie).

Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori formed Cibo Matto (Italian: "crazy food") in 1994.  The music is a genre-bending juxtoposition of jazz, hip hop and samba.  Like this track from 1996's Viva! La Woman, the majority of the lyrics center on the girls' favorite foods.  Cibo Matto disbanded in 2001, and the music world is yet to find a worthy replacement.       

If you have a submission for the Suggestion Box, would like to talk music, or feel a need to complain about the likeness of the caricatured Idols adorning the banner of this site, you may email Laura at CaricaturesByLaura at Yahoo.com 

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