Search - Chan :: Part of the Nation

Chan the hottest Asian-American MC!

brightlights | 10/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chan is no gimmick.

His debut album, "Part of the Nation" is a classic.

Chan's been pounding the underground for some time now, hailing from Boston and nominated for 'Best New Rap/Hip-Hop Act,' in the 15th annual Boston Music Awards in 2001.



He's shared the stage with some of hip hops finest (Talib Kweli, Gza, Guru of Gangstarr, Jeru tha Damaja, Cormega, Afu-ra, Jedi Mind Tricks, Krumbsnatcha, Akrobatik, Mr.Lif, C-Rayz Walz, Black Moon, Boot Camp Clique, and many, many more)



Chan is Asian-American, and raps about his view on Asian-America with the album's title track that's an anthem for any Asian American. But as with the best nonAfrican-American rappers, his album transcends race. His LP walks the thin line between underground and mainstream, but on the real, that's where the dopest rappers reside. Guests on the album include fellow beantown emcees Akrobatik, Ripshop, Singapore, Shuman, Catsy of Yellow Rage, and Japanese super-group M-flo!! Songs like "Radio Wars" show a highly polished production with a message, "Give radio back to hip hop". (For those of you who don't know that radio stations and stores work with the Philly Mayor Street's tactic of "Pay to Play") Others like "Ode to Chickens" and "No Regrets" are songs built for the radio and the masses. But the entire album has an underground vibe with every track produced by DJ Supreme One, who you'll be hearing lots from, and every song is distinct and replayable. The best thing about this album is that there's no filler.

Every song has it's purpose, whether to give you a message or simply just to rock to, this belongs in your stereo. Find out why XXL magazine went so far as to say that "...Chan is the rugged-est, most skilled Asian-American MC I've heard yet - actually, he's pretty dope on any scale..."



His album comes on the heels of another more publicized Asian-American MC, Jin, (who's also made a collbo with Chan) best known for tearing up the competition on BET's Freestyle Fridays. Check out his album too, but for the real underground truth, make sure you cop this. The floodgates are wide open in hip hop and regardless of race, White, Latin and Asians are getting in the game."