The World's Top Asian American Hip Hop Artists

Listeners tend to think of hip hop as something that rose from Latin and Black communities in cities like L.A. and New York. But, Asian-American performers and producers have been part of the scene since nearly the beginning. Doubtful? Check out these five influential Asian-American hip hop stars. 

1. Fresh Kid Ice 

Born Christopher Wong Won, 2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice is widely acknowledged as the first well-known Asian rapper. As 2 Live Crew's MC, he helped popularize Miami Bass. He remained the group's only consistent member through a series of line up changes. His solo debut, The Chinaman, was also a trailblazer as the first hip hop album embracing Asian-American heritage. 

2. apl.de.ap 

Growing up in the Philippines, apl.de.ap got his first exposure to hip hop through break dancing in Angeles City. An eye operation sent him to the U.S. when he was 14, and soon he lived in the states permanently. High school friend William Adams (later to be will.i.am) introduced him to A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and other acts and soon the two were making music of their own. They debuted as The Black Eyed Peas while still in high school and were signed by 1992. They distinguished themselves early by including a live band in their performances. Their sound has changed and adapted over the years from alternative hip hop to pop-rap, but they continue to excite audiences to this day. 

3. MC Jin 

MC Jin's big break came from BET's Freestyle Friday. After winning seven battles in a row, he was inducted into the Freestyle Friday Hall of Fame. Soon, he found himself the first Asian American solo rapper to score a major record deal. The child of Hong Kong immigrants, MC Jin has divided his career between success in the states and carving a space for himself in the growing Cantonese hip hop scene.  

4. Awkwafina 

Awkwafina first found a following on YouTube, going viral with her hit "My Vag." Although the track tallied up hundreds of thousands of views, but her quirky fame cost her. Although she disguised herself in the video, her boss at her old publishing gig recognized her voice and fired her for the video. 

Awkwafina's musical output has been sporadic, at her own preference. She's put out one viral video, one high-profile collaboration (with fellow comedian Margaret Cho), one full-length album and one EP. She says that the slowdown is so that she can focus musically on making a sound that doesn't appropriate from other rappers but instead is something authentically her own. 

5. Far East Movement 

When "Like a G6" topped the charts in 2010, Far East Movement became the first Asian-American group to score a number one hit. Since then, they've delivered chart toppers around the world with "Turn Up the Love," Rocketeer" and "Get Up." Since 2016, the group has been active in artist management through their company Transparent Arts (TA). TA's lineup includes rappers Dumbfoundead and Year of the Ox, K-pop star Tiffany Young and others.

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