Japan’s First Black Enka Singer

**Dutch Baka** · Feb 24, 2008, 10:44

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 · Feb 24, 2008, 10:51

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 · Feb 24, 2008, 10:58

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 · Feb 24, 2008, 11:42

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

**Dutch Baka** · Feb 26, 2008, 18:23

I found another news item about him:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/...ican_enka_dc_1

**Iron Chef** · Feb 29, 2008, 03:08

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 · Feb 29, 2008, 05:51

Originally Posted by Dutch Baka

I found another news item about him:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/...ican_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 · Mar 13, 2008, 12:43

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** · Apr 1, 2008, 00:20

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 · Apr 1, 2008, 20:45

Originally Posted by 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 · Apr 12, 2008, 00:11

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 · Apr 12, 2008, 02:00

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 · Apr 12, 2008, 02:05

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

bakaKanadajin · Apr 12, 2008, 07:49

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

EllerySC · Jul 14, 2008, 07:56

Originally Posted by Skullcrushergurl

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

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 · Mar 29, 2009, 07:05

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!

Titmouse(Gabe) · Jul 16, 2009, 09:45

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

Feb 24, 2008, 10:44	#1
Dutch Baka .... who cares? :( Join Date: Feb 5, 2005 Location: Kobe, Rokko Age: 24 Posts: 4,743 Blog Entries: 12	Japan’s First Black Enka Singer 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. __________________ My website: Kobe city info and my PM Forum Rules - J-Music Forum Rules - FAQ - Calendar Write an article for Jref - Reputation points

Feb 26, 2008, 18:23	#5
Dutch Baka .... who cares? :( Join Date: Feb 5, 2005 Location: Kobe, Rokko Age: 24 Posts: 4,743 Blog Entries: 12	I found another news item about him: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/...ican_enka_dc_1 Last edited by Dutch Baka; Feb 26, 2008 at 18:23. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

Feb 29, 2008, 05:51	#7
Chi65 Banned Join Date: Nov 14, 2007 Location: Berlin Age: 62 Posts: 939	Originally Posted by Dutch Baka I found another news item about him: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/...ican_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 !

Apr 1, 2008, 00:20	#9
Damicci 天国に居る Join Date: Nov 4, 2003 Location: House of Blues Age: 31 Posts: 2,085	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!!!!!!!! __________________ ☆Rieko☆ says: 目が大きかったらすぐにゴミがはいる

Apr 1, 2008, 20:45	#10
orochi 進取果敢 Join Date: May 1, 2004 Location: Tokyo Age: 29 Posts: 603	Originally Posted by 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.

Feb 24, 2008, 10:51	#2
Kyoto Returnee Banned Join Date: Dec 18, 2007 Location: Cairns, Tropical Queensland Age: 41 Posts: 579	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.

Feb 24, 2008, 10:58	#3
Chi65 Banned Join Date: Nov 14, 2007 Location: Berlin Age: 62 Posts: 939	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!

Feb 24, 2008, 11:42	#4
orochi 進取果敢 Join Date: May 1, 2004 Location: Tokyo Age: 29 Posts: 603	I wish him luck. Being 1/4 Japanese and having grown up here probably helps his career.

Feb 29, 2008, 03:08	#6
Iron Chef Villain Join Date: Feb 26, 2003 Location: Fukuoka (current), Nagoya, Sapporo Age: 38 Posts: 1,962	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.

Mar 13, 2008, 12:43	#8
bakaKanadajin 継続は力なり Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Age: 29 Posts: 929 Blog Entries: 12	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/

Apr 12, 2008, 00:11	#11
Skullcrushergurl ~Vizual~ Join Date: Sep 11, 2007 Location: Michigan Age: 18 Posts: 262 Blog Entries: 6	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! __________________ Sexy, Fun, and Confident. IT'S MIYAVI!!!!

Apr 12, 2008, 02:00	#12
bakaKanadajin 継続は力なり Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Age: 29 Posts: 929 Blog Entries: 12	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.

Apr 12, 2008, 02:05	#13
Skullcrushergurl ~Vizual~ Join Date: Sep 11, 2007 Location: Michigan Age: 18 Posts: 262 Blog Entries: 6	Well his music okay but weird because he sounds like a good japanese singer but he looks like he's from the 'hood.

Apr 12, 2008, 07:49	#14
bakaKanadajin 継続は力なり Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Age: 29 Posts: 929 Blog Entries: 12	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

Jul 14, 2008, 07:56	#15
EllerySC Junior Member Join Date: Jul 12, 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 4	Originally Posted by Skullcrushergurl 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 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! Last edited by EllerySC; Jul 14, 2008 at 07:59. Reason: forgot to mention

Mar 29, 2009, 07:05	#16
Dogen Z Nobuta Power 注入 Join Date: Apr 23, 2007 Location: 　渋谷　道玄坂 Posts: 875	U.S. Performance 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! __________________ 普通の幸せは十分です。

Jul 16, 2009, 09:45	#17
Titmouse(Gabe) Regular Member Join Date: May 22, 2009 Posts: 44	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

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