China Has Banned Tattoos and Hip Hop Culture From TV, Lets Take A Look Back At My 5 Favorite Chinese Rap Songs
(TIME) “China has banned hip-hop culture and actors with tattoos from appearing on television.
The country’s top media regulator — the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People’s Republic of China (SAPPRFT) — now “specifically requires that programs should not feature actors with tattoos [or depict] hip hop culture, sub-culture (non-mainstream culture) and dispirited culture (decadent culture),” Sina, a Chinese news outlet, reports.”
Gao Changli, director of the administration’s publicity department, outlined four “Don’t” rules on Friday:
Absolutely do not use actors whose heart and morality are not aligned with the party and whose morality is not noble
Absolutely do not use actors who are tasteless, vulgar and obscene
Absolutely do not use actors whose ideological level is low and have no class
Absolutely do not use actors with stains, scandals and problematic moral integrity
Chinese rappers Mao Yanqi and Wang Hao have already been removed from shows on the country’s TV stations.”
Damn son. Absolutely devastating blow to the Chinese rap scene which has actually been taking off these past few years. How do I know it’s been taking off? Because recently I’ve noticed every brand in China has been milking hip hop culture for all it’s worth. I mean every bottle of Absolute vodka I buy out here comes with a gold chain wrapped around it and some insanely cliche phrase on the back such as “My Flow So Fresh My Swag So Fresh.”
I tell you what though, this could be a blessing in disguise. The best rap music is made in times of adversity when artists have to “fight the power”. No-one wants to listen to a rapper rap about how “the government knows best” and “Beijing is a great city with zero traffic or air pollution”.
Anyways, I thought this would be a good time to take a look at my favorite chinese rap songs I have come across while living out here the past 6 years:
1. “Stupid Foreigners” by Fat Shady
This dude wrote a diss track against every foreigner living in China and I’m not gonna lie, this shit cuts deep. I mean just look at some of the lyrics
“today you’re an english teacher/ tomorrow you’re a young entrepreneur
Wanna be something?/Come wash Daddy’s car”
Yep, pretty much the story of my life. Except for the fact washing cars is probably the only thing in China I haven’t done for money (yet).
2. Goose In My Basket by The Wonton Don Feat. Koz
Oh man making this music video was such a pain my ass. I wouldn’t wish working with a live goose on my worst enemy. I’m happy with how it came out though. Obviously I bring the heat on both of my verses but my man Koz, the Chinese rapper who is featured on the 3rd verse, may have murdered me on my own track. KoZ is probably the most hardcore Chinese guy I’ve met. Most Chinese males my age have lived a comparably sheltered life in the sense that they have probably never even seen Marijuanna. Koz, on the other hand, was rolling up to the video shoots with all sorts of shit and when I asked him what he was doing later that night he goes: “I’m going to a drug party”.
“excuse me? What does that mean?”
“It’s a party where the theme is everyone does a bunch of drugs”
Wow. In the US people may end up doing lots of drugs at a party, but that doesn’t mean we have to make it the literal theme of the party. That’s a tad too aggressive dontcha think? Ever try throwing on a Toga?
And the last three are all by Higher Brothers, as they’re the only Chinese rap group I actually listen to. These three bros from Chengdu, who are often described as the “Chinese Migos”, are DOPE. Every track they drop usually features an incredible beat, super high energy lyrics, and a crazy video which make them enjoyable even if you have no idea what they’re saying.
3. Nomadic by Higher Brothers Feat. Jodi
2. Made in China by Higher Brothers
1. WeChat by Higher Brothers
As you’ve probably heard me say in previous blogs, WeChat is the only app in China that I think is better than its American counterpart. It’s pretty much a combination of Instagram, WhatsApp, Venmo, Facebook, Uber, ichat, Tinder, and Amazon and I don’t think I could survive in China without it. The Higher Brothers tribute to the app is hilarious, super creative, and features an absolute SMOKE in ChanelUzi. She’s probably worth a follow.