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Delivering on the promise of their full-length debut, Chinese rap crew Higher Brothers made a critical breakthrough with their sophomore effort, Five Stars. Whether referencing the perceived quality of this release or the number of stars on their homeland's flag, the album built a barrier-busting bridge between China and the West with its thrilling, cross-cultural hype music. Spitting speedy rhymes in Sichuanese, Mandarin, and their steadily improving English, the quartet -- MaSiWei, Psy.P, Melo, and DZKnow -- combined their lyrical skills with their explosive personalities, putting China first without pandering to a Western audience with diluted material. Here, Higher Brothers offer fans a crash course in cultural exposure on their own uncompromised terms -- all while absorbing U.S. culture and relating their experiences -- whipping from China-centric references to Internet restrictions, chopsticks, and tofu to shout-outs to American exports like Rihanna, Tupac, and the NBA. Single "Gong Xi Fa Cai" is a prime example, a Chinese New Year anthem for the ages that ties traditional red packet money to the modern hustle, while "Flexing So Hard" presses pause on the typical hip-hop bragging to drop a distinctly cultural reminder that saving money, finding a girlfriend, and getting a job are the ultimate success. Of course, listeners who understand Mandarin will get more from these songs -- at one point they jab, "Excuse me can you speak English?/Turn into can you speak Chinese?" -- but with production this inspired and a gang of high-profile guests, Five Stars breaks new ground by simply existing as-is for anyone willing to expand their horizons. Throwbacks to Golden Era production -- "16 Hours," "Open It Up," "Sunshine" -- imbue Five Stars with warmth and familiarity, while late-2010s trap beats on menacing highlights "Flexing So Hard" and "Won't Believe" amplify the tension. Guests JID, Soulja Boy, ScHoolboy Q, and 88Rising labelmates NIKI and Rich Brian all offer star turns, but it's Ski Mask the Slump God and an inimitable Denzel Curry on "One Punch Man" that take the crown. This abundance of players on Five Stars creates a celebratory atmosphere that doesn't die down, a reflection of the triumphant energy bursting from this quartet on the rise. Having fun and enjoying life, Higher Brothers take another big step as crossover pioneers, importing Chinese cultural pride with their dizzying skills while honoring the traditions of the land where hip-hop was born.
© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo
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Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - David Garcia, Composer - Cookin' Soul, Producer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer - Zhen Ding, Composer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Yujie Xie, Composer - David Garcia-Garci-Nuño, Composer - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - David Garcia-Garci-Nuño - Universal Music Publishing SLU (SGAE), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Luca, Producer - Luca Polizzi, Composer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer - Zhen Ding, Composer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Yujie Xie, Composer - Edwin A. Gonzalez, RecordingEngineer - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Luca Polizzi (LUCA) - Copyright Control (SOCAN), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Karl Hamnqvist, Composer - K Swisha, Producer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer - Zhen Ding, Composer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Yujie Xie, Composer - Lana Larkin, Composer - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Karl Hamnqvist - K Swisha Publishing (BMI), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Denzel Curry, FeaturedArtist - Ronny J, Producer - Ski Mask The Slump God, FeaturedArtist - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Zhen Ding, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Yujie Xie, Composer - Denzel Rae Don Curry, Composer - Stokeley Clevon Goulbourne, Composer - Ronald Spence, Composer - Denzel Rae Don Curry - DC ULT Music Publishing/Concord Music Publishing LLC (BMI), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Ronald Spence - Listenup Forever Publishing/Sony/ATV Ballad (BMI), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Stokeley Clevon Goulbourne - Copyright Control (BMI), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Daniel Tannenbaum, Composer - Craig Balmoris, Composer - The Donuts, Producer - Destin Route, Composer - Bekon, Producer - Sergiu Gherman, Composer - Tyler Mehlenbacher, Composer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Junyi Yang, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Yujie Xie, Composer, RecordingEngineer - JID, FeaturedArtist - Craig Balmoris - CRAIG B OF BKS / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Daniel Tannenbaum - Danikeyz Productions/Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), MusicPublisher - Destin Route (JID) - Reservoir 416 (BMI), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Sergiu Gherman - SERGFROMBD (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Tyler Mehlenbacher - CALOWAYFROMBD (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - DeAndre Way, Composer - Soulja Boy, FeaturedArtist - Blasian Beats, Producer - William Gaskins, Composer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer - Zhen Ding, Composer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Yujie Xie, Composer - Nicholas Varvatsoulis, Composer - Mathius Herman, Composer - Snapz, Producer - Niles Groce, Composer - Will Major, Producer - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Mathius Herman - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Nicholas Varvatsoulis - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Niles Groce - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - SOULJA BOY TELLEM MUSIC INC (BMI), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - William Gaskins (Will Major) - 808Godz Publishing (BMI), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Junyi Yang, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Yujie Xie, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Diego Radub Ortíz Gómez, Composer - Trebol Beats, Producer - Diego Radub Ortíz Gómez - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - KOHH, FeaturedArtist - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Don Krez, Producer - Yuki Chiba, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Krez Caballero, Composer - Crez Caballero - Copyright Control (BMI), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Yuki Chiba - JASRAC (BMI), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Richie Souf, Producer - Tony Son, Composer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Zhen Ding, Composer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Yujie Xie, Composer - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Tony Son - Tony Son Publishing/Songs of Universal Inc (BMI), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Schoolboy Q, FeaturedArtist - Quincy Hanley, Composer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Zhen Ding, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Ewan J. McLain, Composer - Poloboy 81, Producer - Ewan J. McLain - Copyright Control (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Quincey Hanley - SCHOOLBOY Q MUSIC (BMI), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Wynter, Producer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Guapdad 4000, FeaturedArtist - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Zhen Ding, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Akeem Douglas Hayes, Composer - Jeffrey Newlin, Composer - Akeem Douglas Hayes - TOWNSHIP PUBLISHING (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Jeffrey Newlin - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Harikiri, Producer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Zhen Ding, Composer, RecordingEngineer - Andre Anthony Alexander Grant, Composer - Andre Anthony Alexander Grant - RICE AND PEAS PUBLISHING LLC (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Niki, FeaturedArtist - Nicole Zefanya, Composer - Francisgotheat, Producer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer - Zhen Ding, Composer - Edwin A. Gonzalez, RecordingEngineer - Francis Nguyentran, Composer - Francis Nguyentran - GotHeat Music Inc. / BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Nicole Zefanya - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
George Miller, Composer - Chris Athens, MasteringEngineer - Paul Morrison, RecordingEngineer - Joji, Producer - Clinton "HeadAche" Walker III, Mixer - Higher Brothers, MainArtist - Siwei Ma, Composer - Zhen Ding, Composer - Junyi Yang, Composer - Yujie Xie, Composer - Rich Brian, FeaturedArtist - Brian Imanuel Soewarno, Composer - Brian Imanuel - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - George Miller - 88rising Publishing LLC / Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - JunYi Yang - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - SiWei Ma - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - YuJie Xie - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Zhen Ding - 88rising Publishing LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), MusicPublisher
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
Album review
Delivering on the promise of their full-length debut, Chinese rap crew Higher Brothers made a critical breakthrough with their sophomore effort, Five Stars. Whether referencing the perceived quality of this release or the number of stars on their homeland's flag, the album built a barrier-busting bridge between China and the West with its thrilling, cross-cultural hype music. Spitting speedy rhymes in Sichuanese, Mandarin, and their steadily improving English, the quartet -- MaSiWei, Psy.P, Melo, and DZKnow -- combined their lyrical skills with their explosive personalities, putting China first without pandering to a Western audience with diluted material. Here, Higher Brothers offer fans a crash course in cultural exposure on their own uncompromised terms -- all while absorbing U.S. culture and relating their experiences -- whipping from China-centric references to Internet restrictions, chopsticks, and tofu to shout-outs to American exports like Rihanna, Tupac, and the NBA. Single "Gong Xi Fa Cai" is a prime example, a Chinese New Year anthem for the ages that ties traditional red packet money to the modern hustle, while "Flexing So Hard" presses pause on the typical hip-hop bragging to drop a distinctly cultural reminder that saving money, finding a girlfriend, and getting a job are the ultimate success. Of course, listeners who understand Mandarin will get more from these songs -- at one point they jab, "Excuse me can you speak English?/Turn into can you speak Chinese?" -- but with production this inspired and a gang of high-profile guests, Five Stars breaks new ground by simply existing as-is for anyone willing to expand their horizons. Throwbacks to Golden Era production -- "16 Hours," "Open It Up," "Sunshine" -- imbue Five Stars with warmth and familiarity, while late-2010s trap beats on menacing highlights "Flexing So Hard" and "Won't Believe" amplify the tension. Guests JID, Soulja Boy, ScHoolboy Q, and 88Rising labelmates NIKI and Rich Brian all offer star turns, but it's Ski Mask the Slump God and an inimitable Denzel Curry on "One Punch Man" that take the crown. This abundance of players on Five Stars creates a celebratory atmosphere that doesn't die down, a reflection of the triumphant energy bursting from this quartet on the rise. Having fun and enjoying life, Higher Brothers take another big step as crossover pioneers, importing Chinese cultural pride with their dizzying skills while honoring the traditions of the land where hip-hop was born.
© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 00:48:20
- Main artists: Higher Brothers
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: 88rising Music
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
(C) 2019 88rising Records LLC (P) 2019 88rising Records LLC
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