*This event is part of the Sakura Concert Series of the Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival of Philadelphia. The festival is free – no ticket is required!*
Emcee: Scott CHOPS Jung
Scott “CHOPS” Jung is a music maker whose multi-instrument style helped his group Mountain Brothers become the first Asian American rap group signed to a major label. He’s since worked with many of rap’s biggest and most respected artists (Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Raekwon, Talib Kweli, E-40, Ice Cube, Snoop). His Strength in NUMBERS album featured over 30 talented Asian American rappers and singers. CHOPS’ music is heard in ads (Nike, Coca Cola, X Games), TV shows (Arrow, Empire, Grey’s Anatomy, House of Lies, Breaking Bad, Law & Order: SVU, Parks & Recreation, The Night Of, iZombie, Pitch, Lucifer), and movies (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Brown Sugar, House of Wax, Hurricane Season, Face, Ping Pong Playa). He credits the sports documentary 9-Man for reigniting his love of writing music to picture; scoring credits include the feature documentaries Breathin’: The Eddy Zheng Story, Good Luck Soup, & And Then They Came for Us.
DJ Oluwafemi (7:00 PM)
When you combine classic rhythms, soul, and funk with world fusions you get the DJ vibe of Femi. As a Nigerian artist and well-known performer on the International club scene, Oluwafemi has created an electric combination that brings high energy excitement to audiences across the US, Africa and Europe. A DJ and visual artist, Oluwafemi’s musical influences include Nigerian artists such as Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade and Fela Kuti. Drums, patterns, and the rhythmic evolution of repetition are woven into Oluwafemi’s African-inspired musical style and visual explorations.
Red Mcfly (7:30 PM)
Producer, rapper, artist, creative mind. Red Mcfly sustained a high-level overall presence in the music business after having artists such as Kanye West, Max B, French Montana, Lil Flip, and more rap over his beats. He released songs like “Taking Flight” ft. Chinx and “Cant Sleep” which solidified him as a rapper but then entered the instrumental genre with his “Throttlewave” release which opened even more doors for his career. Being Half Japanese and Half African American he was able to bring together the 2 different cultures and create a unique following from other Hip Hop acts. He gained a lot of traction online with his “Takeflight” and “Takeflight 2” album releases and is gearing up to drop the third installment, “Takeflight 3”. With all the different avenues Red Mcfly has explored and conquered, there’s no telling what he might be up to next.
MC Tingbudong (8:00 PM)
Rapper, multimedia artist, and revolutionary Jamel Mims aka MC Tingbudong is on the front lines of resistance against mass incarceration. In 2008, Mims received a Fulbright Scholarship to compile a multimedia ethnography on the hip hop subculture in Beijing. He works as a Mandarin teacher and leads workshops for Chinese teachers on using hip hop pedagogy in the classroom. His work has been featured in the New York Times and on CBS.
FACE VALUE (jason chu + Alan Z) (8:40 PM)
Rapper/activist jason chu has been recognized by the Mellon Foundation, OCA Greater Los Angeles, the LA City Department of Cultural Affairs, BBC, NBC Asian America, and more as a leading voice in Asian American culture. He tours extensively nationwide, centering empathy and storytelling in his work. Credits on Warrior (HBO Max), Snowpiercer (TNT), Wu Assassins (Netflix), Vibe Asia.
Rapper/singer Alan Z is a mainstay in the Atlanta hip-hop scene with a national audience earned from performing coast-to-coast, while building a dedicated online following. He’s been seen going viral on Instagram and TikTok with rap verses about Asian American history and social issues. Credits on Wu Assassins (Netflix), iZombie (The CW), Sony Music Entertainment.
G Yamazawa (9:20 PM)
Born in Durham. National Poetry Slam Champion. Cultural Diplomat for the Department of State. Kundiman Fellow. G YAMAZAWA has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, PBS, and has toured over 200 universities both domestic and internationally. With notable performances at the Sundance Film Festival and the Pentagon, G continues to challenge the American perspective of race & culture, poetry & rap, and the phenomena of the human condition. G’s debut album “Shouts to Durham,” charted at #37 on the iTunes top 100 rap albums, and is currently working on his sophomore release.