Calling a rapper cute is like telling a man he's got no balls. It's supposed to be a diss. It's intended to get a rise. Expect a smack down, or at least a story about selling crack to establish street cred.
But Chang Jui-chuan (張睿銓) isn't your average rapper. His clothes aren't oversized. There's no bling, or obvious scars. He's kind of baby-faced. And polite.
The title "academic" would appear to suit him better. An English composition lecturer, he's studying for a PhD. His father's a scientist and university president.
PHOTO: JULES QUARTLY, TAIPEI TIMES
Taiwan is a world away from the mean streets of Compton or Brooklyn and we're sitting in a pleasant Taipei teahouse sipping oolong. Chang is a bit of an expert and takes charge of the teapot.
I kick off by telling Chang what the musician Matthew Lien said in our recent interview. "What has rap culture got to do with Taiwan culture? What is it with this? Are they going to New York and getting shot? I don't think so. It's just about marketing."
Chang responds that he isn't pretending to be from the Bronx. Also, he does more than spit a few lines over a love song. He writes the lyrics and produces.
"I know I'm not from the ghetto. I'm educated. I'm a teacher. Imitating others, black, American people, is not my thing. I don't have to be black to rap. I can be Taiwanese.
"I make music that represents me, who I am and where I come from. So, it's not about imitating the pioneers, it's about me making music," Chang says.
His theory is that hip-hop music is about fighting oppression. In My Language on his new album Resurrection (重生) he accuses the US of cultural tyranny. For him, globalization is Americanization.
"I speak your language, don't mean I'm your slave/ I speak your language 'cause I'm about to invade/ Your music, your culture, your beliefs, and your fate/ With kung fu, Confucius, Tao, and my name."
He raps in English and Taiwanese. When he's not taking shots at the US he takes aim at Osama bin Laden, China and abusive men generally.
The song No Justice, No Peace has the hook line "No justice, no peace/ So burn China, crush America!"
Chang's an equal opportunity critic, more earnest than angry. His line is pro-freedom and almost relentlessly idealistic. "Protect democracy and let it soar" (Hope Is Here).
He's also unabashedly nationalistic, singing the praises of oolong tea and Hualien rice. "Stand tall. My name ain't Joe. It's Ah-Chuan of Taiwan."
The Chinese-language We Can't Say 'Love Taiwan'? (不能說愛台灣?) on his debut album Genesis (創世記) last year beats the drum for independence.
He says he's proud of the new track Hey Kid because "it's the first rap to explicitly depict the 228 Incident. It's also sad that it wasn't done earlier."
If it sounds like he's preaching, there's good reason. A bible thumping Christian (he's keen on the King James Version) he doesn't blaspheme or shoot people down with his metaphorical Glock.
He's comfortable with this and adds, "all real MCs are preaching in essence."
Musically, he's developed since his first album, which was produced by Adia (阿弟仔) and has a self-confessed "pop-music approach."
This is when he picked up the cute tag. On the sleeve notes to Genesis the alternative DJ Lim Giong (林強) praised Chang for his, "Mature and cute vocals, creative and well-made pop music. It has a rich musicality with a variety of interesting melodies."
He says he doesn't mind being called a cute rapper because "the adjective 'cute' in Taiwanese may be interpreted as honest, naughty or idealistic, in terms of context."
He adds that Resurrection is a tougher-sounding album, co-produced by DJ Point and MoShang. "It's quite hardcore, groovy and head banging."
I like his work. It has a sophisticated soundscape with nods to Chinese opera, Taiwanese genka music and Aboriginal chants. There's plenty going on to keep the interest levels up.
He's also collaborated with Red-I and the Riddim Outlawz for a dub and reggae-flavored song on the latest album.
Chang's delivery could be sharper in places but he has a cool voice and isn't afraid to sit back and let the DJ roll up the bass.
The first time I saw him perform was at a design fair in Tianmu and he managed to hold a fickle crowd. He also did shows recently at Formoz and a gig with HotDog, Taiwan's number one MC.
Freddy Lim (林昶佐), of Chthonic (閃靈), says Chang is the voice of "Taiwanese hip hop that has soul and consciousness."
Chang is certainly a refreshing change to a diet of Mando pop or steroid-pumped American rappers. If he keeps it real he could become a pioneer himself. The gentleman rapper.
Watch this interview and his rap at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avi7fkTmYXs
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