Japan’s First Black Enka Singer

[Dutch Baka]

I was just watching Sunday Japon on Tv, and they showed a small introduction about this new Enka singer, Japan's first blank enka singer to be more precise.

I found some more information about him on this website:
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3695

What do you think? I think his voice isn't that bad, and I hope he will be able to sell some albums.

[Kyoto Returnee]

Things are definitely changing for the better.

I used to enjoy a programme on Sunday NHK of amateur performers seeing how long they could go before the gong!

The Enka singers were always a laugh with some good one's more not than often.

[Chi65]

Wow!

Yet I am not surprised. . .because in terms of music, his kind is very appreciated, for long. So its probably very nice, to have him putting himself into the shoes of the adorers of his kind. . .a logical and fine turn indeed!
I give him a five stars, alone for his intention. And many more for his talent!

[orochi]

I wish him luck.
Being 1/4 Japanese and having grown up here probably helps his career.

[Dutch Baka]

I found another news item about him:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/lf_nm_life/japan_american_enka_dc_1

[Iron Chef]

I heard about his performance from one of my students. She kept raving about him and it looks like he's the real deal. Seems to be very talented. Enka could certainly use a fresh face or two lol so more power to him.

[Chi65]

I found another news item about him:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/lf_nm_life/japan_american_enka_dc_1

Very good example of the granny-syndrome in a way, btw.

Nice link, thank you!

I suppose, we will have him on the Karaoke lists too pretty soon !

[bakaKanadajin]

A Dutch Baka san, you beat me by a few days, and I wasn't aware when I made this thread:

http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36702

I'm a fan of Jero. The CD only has two singles on it though, 海雪 and another song 東西南北ひとり旅 which I also like but its the only official release on his website. I first heard about him from the Nikka Times which is a Japanese paper published in Toronto, my mom showed me an article about him. Then my old Japanese school's e-newsletter had something about him and that led me to the YouTube video and then I was like heck I'll buy the CD, because if I like something I'll still buy it these days instead of downloading it, in order to support the artist. I hope he releases more.

His website:
http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/jero/

[Damicci]

My wife was telling me about him a while ago. I was shocked to when I saw his appearance. He has a good voice to he could probably do well in the US or in Japan.

But he likes Natto!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOCK!!!!!!!!

[orochi]

I wish him luck.
Being 1/4 Japanese and having grown up here probably helps his career.

I take back the part about him growing up here.
Apparently he hasn't been here too long.
He speaks great Japanese.

[Skullcrushergurl]

He looks ghetto and yucky but I hope he'll do good and pave the way for more kokujin like myself to do more music in Japan and help them accept us. But of course I want to do vizual kei/pop/rock music!

[bakaKanadajin]

Don't forget the 'gai' ( 外 ) in gaikokujin.. otherwise kokujin is just like... 'person from a country'. The gai means 'outside' or 'foreign'.

Hey, he doesn't look 'yucky'. Actually he reminds me a lot of a guy named Darren I used to teach with at Nova.

[Skullcrushergurl]

Well his music okay but weird because he sounds like a good japanese singer but he looks like he's from the 'hood.

[bakaKanadajin]

By the way, someone enlightened me to the fact that you may have meant kokujin as in 黒人　and not 国人。That's probably the case so pardon my meddling corrections :relief:

[EllerySC]

Well his music okay but weird because he sounds like a good japanese singer but he looks like he's from the 'hood.
Right right, as if it mattered. :P
I thinks his image is actually better the way it is because it's far more youthful than the usual kimono or business suit that I'm used to seeing enka performers dressed up in.
plus the "urban" trend is just as predominant and no more "yucky" than that of visual kei, so relax k.

By the way, someone enlightened me to the fact that you may have meant kokujin as in 黒人　and not 国人。That's probably the case so pardon my meddling corrections
:D That's hilarious! I didn't even realize that so thanks for noting. I'll probably be making endless jokes on （がい）こくじん　from here on out thanks to you haha

Oh I almost forgot to mention: Bottom line, I'll be on the look out for this guy's cd. Thanks for bringing it up!

[Dogen Z]

The Japanese embassy has arranged to have American enka singer, Jero (Jerome White), perform at the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

Jero is claimed to be best foreign singer in Japan by some. If you've never seen him before, please watch the following video. He's good!:-)

6lqZElmsmhM

[Titmouse(Gabe)]

at first I was like

NOOO! HIP HOP (the worst thing to come from america) IS SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE! NOOOO!

but then I sighed a sigh of relief when I saw it was enya

enya isn't really my bag since I am american, but i can sincerely respect it