"Inca? No, Enka." LOL pin-pen merger. Yeah, I agree that the dancing was forced (especially to an instrumental track resembling Santana), and the hip-hop imagery... well if it's his own thing then the more power to him. If he added an occasional R&B style blue note to his already spectacular vocals, I'd go nuts in a good way. But that might not be well-received by the Japanese market.
Who knows? Jero ft. Crystal Kay, an R&B+Enka combo where the two elements blend beyond distinction. Could work!
I like Jero. The record company at first wanted him to bring back Enka. Many people thought of him as a gimmick. But he's made a name for himself and he's got talent. He's kind of got a New Age Enka thing going on. I wish him luck.
Also, not to beat a dead horse, but Crystal Kay, Thelma Aoyama(?) and such are singing mainstream pop & RNB. Since Enka is very traditional and stylized Jero has been the first to succeed there. I'm pretty sure Crystal would have a hard time pulling it off.
i wouldnt wont him to add r&b to enka..i like his music the way it is. im not saying you guys are bad but i think it would be a bad ideal trying to make traditional music into a American style r&b/hip hop music video.
I love Jero very much and what he represents - if you work hard enough, you will succeed wherever you are and whoever you are. Jero is 1/4 Japanese and has been exposed to the Japanese language from a very young age because his grandmother and his mother spoke in Japanese at home. He was a gifted child and therefore has exceptional language abilities.
Enka is basically overtly emotional in its vocalization style. Its also very story oriented with very picturesque lyrics, culturally specific, and full of pathos. In order to "get" enka, one has to have a very high command of the Japanese language with all its subtle nuances. Its a level that many Japanese frankly don't think foriegners can reach. Jero has broken that barrier and proven that yes, a gaijin (foriegner) can grasp core Japanese feelings.
Hi. I am a Japanese fan who likes Jero. My 2-year-old daughter LOVES Jero!
Jero, in my opinion, opened up the door to new style Enka to younger generation. However, Jero's songs are not designed as Hip-Hop/R&B like because the composer of Umiyuki did not want him to fade out after this one song. This might be why he is so focused to sing traditional Enka.
Jero incorporated the Hip-hop in his style because that's who he is and how he dresses. It was a risk, but his style appealed to the younger generation and helped broaden the Enka fanbase. Alot of younger people in Japan are listening to Enka now because of Jero. I mean, we know what the haters would say if he came out in a Kimono. "sellout". So I'm glad he kept it real with his style.
Krystal Kay sang R&B, a form of music that didn't originate in Japan. Not suprising to see a brotha or sista singing R&B. (Note: I'm black/japanese). But Jero sings a form of music that is Japan's own which is a genre that hasn't been adopted by any other culture like say "rock". It's mainly only listened to by Japanese. So I wouldn't say Krystal Kay opened the door for Jero. I'd say they came in two different entrances. Both great artists.
Very interesting conversations. What made you think you wanted to talk about him? Too bad you can't pronounce "Umiyuki" right! Almost! I believe Jero is the biggest black singer in Japan. Crystal Kay is famous, but she didn't surrprise people when she dubuted. Jero completely did blow us out! If you see him, you expect him to sing hip hop or R&B, but nobody expected him to start singing enka. I was totally shocked! And he's good.
Enka is like 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's pop music in the US. Stuff like Sammy Davis Jr, or "Put your head on my shoulder" by Paul Anka(Enka predates him BTW). It's basically slow ballads.
Jero is alright, but his voice isn't the greatest for this type of music. Usually ballad singers have better voices. Just compare him to Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra, Jose Jose(Latin ballad singer, maybe the greatest ever), or Nat King Cole. Jero would be better off singing RNB.
I disagree. Enka lyrics tend to portray scenes of real suffering and maybe closer to folk. Ballads by Sinatra, and other crooners are smoother. Enka, especially the sad ones when done well is not intended to be "smooth", but rather "gut wrenching" tear jerkers. Also, the lyrics are often gender specific so its clear if the song is sung from a man or a woman's point of view. Only in Enka can a guy sing a woman's lyrics without sounding gay. Jero's singing is a bit enka to ballad crossover.
"Inca? No, Enka." LOL pin-pen merger. Yeah, I agree that the dancing was forced (especially to an instrumental track resembling Santana), and the hip-hop imagery... well if it's his own thing then the more power to him. If he added an occasional R&B style blue note to his already spectacular vocals, I'd go nuts in a good way. But that might not be well-received by the Japanese market.
Who knows? Jero ft. Crystal Kay, an R&B+Enka combo where the two elements blend beyond distinction. Could work!
BBarNavi 5 months ago
I Love Jero!!! from Japan
彼の演歌は完璧です。初めて聞いた時日本人だと思いました。
彼の声には深みがあって、優しく滑らかです。
素晴らしい！
unohaduki07 7 months ago
40's and 50's? Enka is to Japanese as Folk music is to western cultures! lol
Chrismonchan 1 year ago
I like Jero. The record company at first wanted him to bring back Enka. Many people thought of him as a gimmick. But he's made a name for himself and he's got talent. He's kind of got a New Age Enka thing going on. I wish him luck.
Also, not to beat a dead horse, but Crystal Kay, Thelma Aoyama(?) and such are singing mainstream pop & RNB. Since Enka is very traditional and stylized Jero has been the first to succeed there. I'm pretty sure Crystal would have a hard time pulling it off.
sumoni 1 year ago
i wouldnt wont him to add r&b to enka..i like his music the way it is. im not saying you guys are bad but i think it would be a bad ideal trying to make traditional music into a American style r&b/hip hop music video.
krzintegraboi 1 year ago
so this is where the idea of killer bee came from....
therawest601 1 year ago
I love Jero very much and what he represents - if you work hard enough, you will succeed wherever you are and whoever you are. Jero is 1/4 Japanese and has been exposed to the Japanese language from a very young age because his grandmother and his mother spoke in Japanese at home. He was a gifted child and therefore has exceptional language abilities.
jafaru 2 years ago 3
Enka is basically overtly emotional in its vocalization style. Its also very story oriented with very picturesque lyrics, culturally specific, and full of pathos. In order to "get" enka, one has to have a very high command of the Japanese language with all its subtle nuances. Its a level that many Japanese frankly don't think foriegners can reach. Jero has broken that barrier and proven that yes, a gaijin (foriegner) can grasp core Japanese feelings.
lessdone 2 years ago 3
Hi. I am a Japanese fan who likes Jero. My 2-year-old daughter LOVES Jero!
Jero, in my opinion, opened up the door to new style Enka to younger generation. However, Jero's songs are not designed as Hip-Hop/R&B like because the composer of Umiyuki did not want him to fade out after this one song. This might be why he is so focused to sing traditional Enka.
JannatSiddique 2 years ago 2
yeah.. I thought about that too.. like I'm sure Jero could sing R&B.. and if he could blend R&B and Enka a lil' better.. that would be really good.
dangdutasik 2 years ago
Jero incorporated the Hip-hop in his style because that's who he is and how he dresses. It was a risk, but his style appealed to the younger generation and helped broaden the Enka fanbase. Alot of younger people in Japan are listening to Enka now because of Jero. I mean, we know what the haters would say if he came out in a Kimono. "sellout". So I'm glad he kept it real with his style.
xBlasian86x 2 years ago 3
Krystal Kay sang R&B, a form of music that didn't originate in Japan. Not suprising to see a brotha or sista singing R&B. (Note: I'm black/japanese). But Jero sings a form of music that is Japan's own which is a genre that hasn't been adopted by any other culture like say "rock". It's mainly only listened to by Japanese. So I wouldn't say Krystal Kay opened the door for Jero. I'd say they came in two different entrances. Both great artists.
xBlasian86x 2 years ago 8
Very interesting conversations. What made you think you wanted to talk about him? Too bad you can't pronounce "Umiyuki" right! Almost! I believe Jero is the biggest black singer in Japan. Crystal Kay is famous, but she didn't surrprise people when she dubuted. Jero completely did blow us out! If you see him, you expect him to sing hip hop or R&B, but nobody expected him to start singing enka. I was totally shocked! And he's good.
samjones1976 2 years ago 3
Sorry about the "Umiyuki" thing. but the reason why i review him is because I check for the latest artist that is big in japan. and europe
animebeerandcake 2 years ago
Enka is like 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's pop music in the US. Stuff like Sammy Davis Jr, or "Put your head on my shoulder" by Paul Anka(Enka predates him BTW). It's basically slow ballads.
Jero is alright, but his voice isn't the greatest for this type of music. Usually ballad singers have better voices. Just compare him to Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra, Jose Jose(Latin ballad singer, maybe the greatest ever), or Nat King Cole. Jero would be better off singing RNB.
endlessone07 2 years ago
I agree completely
animebeerandcake 2 years ago
I disagree. Enka lyrics tend to portray scenes of real suffering and maybe closer to folk. Ballads by Sinatra, and other crooners are smoother. Enka, especially the sad ones when done well is not intended to be "smooth", but rather "gut wrenching" tear jerkers. Also, the lyrics are often gender specific so its clear if the song is sung from a man or a woman's point of view. Only in Enka can a guy sing a woman's lyrics without sounding gay. Jero's singing is a bit enka to ballad crossover.
lessdone 2 years ago