Rapper Jin’s career journey has been ‘ruff’ at times, now his music has taken him to his ancestors’ country.

If you think that rapper Jin Au-Yeung is lying low somewhere in the United States, you are mistaken. The “106 and Park” Freestyle Friday Champ has been living in Hong Kong since May 2009 where it is hard to walk down the street without seeing him.

As the face of Vita Lemon Tea, Jin is everywhere on the streets of Hong Kong: on buses, billboards, storefronts and vending machines. Jin said he has not really changed since appearing on BET about eight years ago, but he has “evolved.” Something that is reflective in his music.

“My music just reflects whatever mentality I have at the current chapter of my life. At age 19, I wanted to be a rap star, party my life away and thought I was the best rapper to ever live. It reflected in my music.” Jin added, “At age 27, my mentality has changed. This applies regardless of if I'm in America or Hong Kong, rapping in English or Cantonese.”

In this chapter of his life Jin is trying out acting, appearing in Chinese movies like, “Split Second Murders,” his second film production. Another film venture in which Jin portrays an “obnoxious, spoiled, rich kid” is slated for release this year.

Now mostly rapping in Cantonese, the 27-year-old said he intends to move back to the U.S. one day where he longs to reconnect with his family, drive his own car again and munch on American-brand cereal.

“One thing I am looking most forward to at this point in my life is to have my own family, household, wife and kids. I most definitely see all of that taking place in the States,” Jin said.

The ‘Ruff’ Road

Baby-faced Jin first appeared on the show “106 and Park” where he trounced his competition week after week. Soon viewers were talking about the undefeated Chinese American rapper, who would go on to claim the Freestyle Friday Champ title despite seemingly being an underdog. Record labels took notice.

Ruff Ryders signed Jin as buzz circulated about his talent showcased on the BET freestyle rap show. His first single, “Learn Chinese,” hit the airwaves soon after. A 2003 acting debut in John Singleton’s “2 Fast 2 Furious” followed. It was a whirlwind success.

“To see all the years of hard work and dedication that I put into reaching that goal become a reality was more fulfilling than I can describe then or now,” Jin explained.

But getting signed was only the first step, he said. Despite working hard Jin soon found that some setbacks in his career were beyond his control. “A few missteps here and there and it's right back to the bottom of the pits,” Jin explained.

Jin continued to earn money on the freestyle battle circuit. But the champ would take some hits.
In 2007 his reappearance on the MTV2 freestyle battle show, “Fight Klub,” was met with criticism. People continue to leave disparaging comments about his performance on YouTube.

Nearly a decade later, Jin is no longer in contact with those from BET and Ruff Ryders. But, he said, he has no regrets.

“Although I haven't spoken or seen them for quite some time now — at least two to three years — I have nothing but fond memories and well wishes for them all,” Jin said. “Regardless of how things panned out in the end, they gave me an opportunity and platform to share with the world my passion for this thing called hip-hop.”

Taking the Mic

Before he was MC Jin, the Miami-born rapper spent many days in his youth at his parents’ take-out restaurant. Hip-hop soon captivated him, and a move to New York City would thrust him into the hip-hop scene.

“I have no regrets. Regretting is not only pointless, but it is also counterproductive. It took me sometime to come to this realization. Since I have though, it's been all about learning from the different experiences,” he said.

“If I never failed at anything or encountered disappointment, I would not fully be able to appreciate and enjoy the achievements and accomplishments.”

He has come far since selling mix tapes on the streets of New York as a teen.

“Society changed. The music industry changed. I wouldn't say I've changed. I would prefer the word: evolved. Grown,” Jin said. “The beauty is that this is a process that I am still going through on a daily basis.”

A looming release date of his all-Cantonese album, “American Born Chinese,” or ABC, prompted Jin to move to Hong Kong. Jin said he now believes that his move to Hong Kong was fate, attributing it to God’s work. Despite all of his success in Hong Kong, Jin hopes to return to the U.S. where his career was born.

“The hip-hop scene existed in Hong Kong before I got here and it will continue to exist the day that I leave.”

On the Web
http://ayojin.com

Sources: By Nalea J. Ko, Reporter Pacific Citizen