Jero
In the hyper-traditional world of Japanese enka singing, there isn't generally a lot of room for change -- in the lyrics, in the music, or in the singers and audiences themselves. In an odd twist, however, an information sciences graduate from Pittsburgh won a karaoke contest (his competition itself stemming from an appreciation of enka from a Japanese grandmother's record collection) and made his way into Japan as an essentially traditional enka singer. Though Jero (born Jerome White) wears his own urban styles (complete with chains, cocked baseball cap, bandana, etc.) and introduced a form of hip-hop dancing into his performances, his delivery of enka itself is entirely on the mark with tradition. His songs deal with the same hallmark heartbreak of traditional enka, his delivery and intonation fitting perfectly into the melodramatic form. All that's missing is an aging Japanese singer on a small lounge stage. While enka has been on a sharp decline in Japan for years, Jero's 2008 debut single, "Umiyuki," and associated album, Covers, found their way quickly onto the Oricon charts, "Umiyuki" debuting at number four and Covers peaking at number five. Instead of being shunned by the aging enka audience, Jero was apparently embraced, and additionally lured younger listeners back to the genre.
© Adam Greenberg /TiVo
Similar artists
-
-
-
-
Die guten alten Tage (Deluxe Version)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by VinDig on 21 aug. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vibe Check (feat. SONNY)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Honorable Legends on 26 feb. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Times I Cried
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Primo Gang Music Ent on 30 nov. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Young Hearts (feat. nombreKARI & J Wade)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by honorable company on 13 jul. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Last
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Primo Gang Music Ent on 12 sep. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Me Cai
Jero, Welofreestyle, Mariano Ceus, Kiloblond, Memo Papi
Wereldmuziek - Released by Godvision Studios on 18 dec. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
If You My Dawg
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Primo Gang Music Ent on 1 mei 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
B.T.B (feat. Rajeev)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Primo Gang Music Ent on 11 feb. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Die guten alten Tage
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by VinDig on 21 aug. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ti Porterei Con Me (feat. Noemi Ferrito)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by 865085 Records DK on 18 mei 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
The Interlude (feat. Rajeev & Sgf tana)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Primo Gang Music Ent on 11 aug. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
Switch Sides
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Primo Gang Music Ent on 12 okt. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -