Jero aka Jerome White Jr.
WATCH THIS FIRST!
ジェロ(JERO) - 海雪(Umiyuki) (2008)
Yes! Jerome White Jr also commonly known as Jero(ジェロ) is an American born Enka singer! Jero is actually quarter-Japanese, three-quarter African American and has been nicknamedKurobune by the Japanese press, after Admiral Perry’s Black Ships. He grew up listening to his Japanese grandmother’s enka records, and he came to Japan after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with the specific goal of becoming a singer in mind. His first single is Umiyuki, a song that captures the loneliness of the Sea of Japan in the winter.It really shocked me when i found out about Jero. Firstly, he is an African-American who speaks and sings in Japanese (yah okay that is not so shocking). Then he comes out with the Hip-Hop image, which for awhile i was thinking “sheesh it is going to be another R&B hip hop song in Japanese except it is sung by a non-japanese”.
UNTIL.. he sung Enka music!
Basically, Enka music refers to 2 styles of Japanese Music. First is speeches set to music which were sung and spread by political activists during the Meiji period and the Taisho period as a means to avoid crackdowns by the government on speeches of political dissent. The second is a genre of Japanese popular songs (kayōkyoku) developed in the postwar Showa period , which has been likened to American country music and Portuguese Fado in terms of themes and audience. The term now usually refers to the latter type of traditional and melodramatic popular songs.
However, modern Enka came into being in the postwar years of the Shōwa period. It was the first style to synthesize the Japanese pentatonic scale with Western harmonies. Enka lyrics are usually are about the themes of love and loss, loneliness, enduring hardships, and persevering in the face of difficulties, even suicide or death. Enka suggests a more traditional, idealized, or romanticized aspect of Japanese culture and attitudes.
In these times of cultural imperialism of the west, it is interesting to see Jero taking a step away from the whole R&B, Hip-Hop culture to embrace a traditional form of music. Jero has somewhat revived and given Enka music a whole new definition. Enka now is not only loved by the older generations but the youngsters too! He came in 4th in the Oricon’s top music charts in Feb 2008, proving that the youth are supportive of his music.
Anyway, there are also other Asian artistes that incorporates traditional music into their music. Take Jay Zhou for example, he fuses traditional chinese instruments into his R&B style to form a new genre “Zhong Guo Fong”(translated:Chinese style). Another popular artiste that uses the east meets west style is Wang Lee Hom. He has an american background but shows wide interest in his chinese heritage. In his 10th album Shangri-La (心中的日月), Lee Hom incorporated the often unheard music of Chinese aboriginal music into mainstream hip hop and coined this style “chinked-out”. He experimented with the tribal sounds of China, Tibet, and Mongolia.
I guess “Cultural Imperialism” can work both ways. It can either suck us into the whole idea that we should be in awe of the western culture or it can make us realise that preserving our own cultural heritage is important!
For more of Jero check out:
or official website at http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/jero/
xoxo9 said,
March 13, 2008 at 7:57 am
I think Jero’s a perfect example of the impacts of co-cultures due to globalization. It is interesting to note that the music industry of today manages to fuse and blend all sorts of cultures and unite the world. It’s definitely a powerful phenomenon.
hcarach said,
March 13, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hey Sammie!!:)
I thought the points you brought up on Japanese culture ~ Enka music was very refreshing. It was good that you described the historical background as well, because culture has so much to do with history!! It was a good attempt in reflecting the diffusion of communication themes, attitudes, and the traditional and melodramatic songs has actually made the Enka culture unique and popular amongst both the older and the younger generations.
I like the idea of how culture can actually bond people of different backgrounds, and generations. Looking at pop culture these days, I would say it does more harm than good. Many people of this generation have chosen to forsake their own traditional cultures to embrace what is popular and trendy, yet the older generations are trying so hard to assimilate and accomodate. It is not a bad thing to go with the trends, but while we do so, let us not forget our own traditions and culture and at the same time, remember that culture should be used to connect the different parts of the society instead of leaving people behind:(
Rach
colouredcrayons said,
March 13, 2008 at 12:11 pm
To xoxo9 (Jia Pei):
yup! Indeed music is an universal language and perhaps a form of communication that bridges the old and new.
To hcarach(rach):
It is hard eh? Trying to strike balances.
Thank you for your compliments. Culture is a complex thing right? But yet it bonds many people together, as u said. I agree pop culture is influential but i guess the youngersters should have more brains(sadly some dont! sheesh) and not just follow every trend be it right or wrong. Yup, agree that there must be progress and not just stuck in the past since the world is ever-changing, yet at the same time embracing our roots.
Cheers to the past and the future!!!
hahah