Re: Japanese Hip-Hop

Ben List (zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp)
Fri, 17 Jan 1997 02:03:16 +1000


Jon Jung wrote:
>
> My friend from Japan visited me this holiday season and dropped off a
> neat video called "Sanpin Camp (Thumping Camp)". Ben may correct me
> on this, but I think the "sanpin" were originally 3rd rate samurai,
> kind of like rogues or something. Anyway, this tape is, for the most
Wow... I'm impressed, I had to look this up in the dictionary!!
Apparently "sanpin" was a derogetory term to refer to samurai
with low status and low income (apparently this is a factor).

> part, a concert out somewhere in Tokyo (probably Shibuya or something)
Yaan ... a large open ampitheatre near the emperial palace in Yurakucho.

> featuring a lot of the newer hip-hop acts like King Giddra, Rhymester,
> Hazu, You the Rock (how's that for a name!) etc. About a dozen or so
> groups in all, ranging from laughable to, well, thumping. This tape is
Curious to find who you thought was laughable... Hac, maybe?
Incidentally, You The Rock and Rhymester have active for a few years now...
(in terms of releases Rhymester released their first in 93 and You in 92)

> probably not too readily available at your local video outlet (unless
> you live near a Japanese owned one, and they'd have to be pretty hip
> anyway) but check it out if you can.
hip enough to ignore the "no rental allowed" sticker... Frankly I'd
be surprised if this is available anywhere outside of Tokyo.

> If anyone's interested I can post label info later since I don't have
> the video in hand now.
Cutting Edge (a division of Avex Trax)...

BTW, I have mixed feelings about this video. Its a rare chance to
see Japanese Hip Hop acts live in a huge concert setting, but the images
look like they came from a PBS broadcast, and the non-concert footage
isn't all that great... I was personally hoping they'd use more
documentary footage, including stuff from local graf artists, and
dancers, in addition to the concert stuff... ah well... I was actually
on the staff for this, taking footage back stage, alot of good stuff
too, unfortunately the live show took precedence over all else...

-b

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