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Entertainment
Friday
Night: Dance-Off Competition |
APA Rhythm
Saturday 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm, proudly sponsored by
Jin |
By now, the details of Jin’s rise in music circles are part of hip-hop lore: an unknown Chinese-American kid with a cocky smirk and nasty rhyme skills blazes through the competition on a series of weekly battles on cable channel BET, earning himself a record deal and a spot on the Ruff Ryders squad. But what distinguishes Jin (born Jin Au-Yeung) as an MC isn’t his fast ascent to the top. It isn’t the fact he was the only Asian-American out of hundreds of would-be MCs vying for a spot on the show. Rather, it’s Jin’s spirited creativity and the unique experiences he brings. Simply put, Jin got skills. In his short time in New York, Jin has already signed onto one of hip-hop’s most fabled crews and has become a role model in the Asian-American community.
Giles
Li |
Giles Li came into the world in 1978 in Boston as the son of two Chinese immigrants. He is a founder of the Boston Progress Arts Collective and is also involved with the Coalition for Asian Pacific American Youth (CAPAY) in Boston. Giles has been involved with several progressive community organizations, including Asian American Movement Zine, Social Justice Education, and DC Asians for Peace and Justice. Giles has traveled the country performing and conducting workshops on both writing and important civil rights concerns. He is intimately familiar with all aspects of issues like hate crimes, election reform, and youth organizing. A firm believer in poetry as politics, his writing approaches serious topics from an emotional point of view.
Vudoo
Soul |
Vudoo Soul does not look or sound like anything the music industry would traditionally label as a “soul man.” However, driven by an unwavering desire to break that mold, the MIT-graduate-turned-R&B singer is quickly emerging as one of the freshest faces with the most distinct styles in music today. Despite his unlikely circumstances and a lack of any prior knowledge of music, he quickly became a self-taught pianist and songwriter, developing a keen resourcefulness and relentless optimism in his hustle as music’s underdog. Displaying an explosive stage presence and a booming voice of soul that betrays his appearance, Vudoo Soul has infamously garnered a “you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it” reputation. Grand-prize winner of last year’s NY Kollaboration, $3,000 Grand-prize winner of California’s Asian Elevation 2006 and champion of multiple Underground Hip-Hop/R&B Competitions in New York, he continues to work and travel constantly to bring an inspiring and heart-felt voice to audiences across the nation.
