Inside Chinese rap, we have found that different regions have different sounds. Guangzhou is perhaps one of the most interesting cities for hip hop in China, and yet for some reason little exposure is given to it compared to the Sichuan region. Join me on this interview with Guangzhou native Ayuko as she tells me her fascinating story in joining the rap game and the power of women in the industry.

Exploring Chinese Rap

Interview with Guangzhou Cantorap Sensation Ayuko [Mandarin]

Interview with Guangzhou Cantorap Sensation Ayuko [English Dub]

With a population of 26 million people, Shanghai has diversity not only in culture but in music. Today, I speak to Garv and find out a little bit about the live music scene in Shanghai as well as learn about his unique perspective as a Ghanaian living in this booming metropolis.

Ghana to Shanghai with Garv tha Rapper!

You could be a gangster growing up in working class New York, you could be a white suburban kid in England or you could be a villager in Thailand. Chances are, you've heard some hip hop in your life. In this episode, I speak to hip hop veteran Freeman Chieu about how Asian hip hop sounds have emerged and how this music has managed to connect people across the globe. Also, we talk about KUASTYLE's documentary for party label PREME and how Chinese, Japanese and Korean hip hop links together. 

The Small World of Hip Hop with Freeman Chiu, founder of KUASTYLE

In the debut episode of Exploring Chinese Rap, I get a chance to talk to Atlanta based rapper Yudes. Why? Because this cat hails from the Wild West but raps for the Far East. We speak to him about how he started rapping in Mandarin, what relationship Chinese rap has with the USA and how the internet is affecting the current music landscape. 

Atlanta to Chengdu with rapper Yudes

As the internet becomes a more prominent feature in our world, it is inevitable that worlds collide. When these worlds collide, what reaps the benefits more than anything? The arts. Thanks to the internet, we have seen music genres gather massive followings in unlikely places. If you told me 10 years ago that I would be listening to Chinese rappers collaborate with A-list American rappers, I would have laughed, but the 21st century proves to become more interesting every single day. For the purpose of this series, I have moved to Jiangsu Province in China in order to find out more about the Chinese rap scene. Join me as I interview some of the hottest names in China and find out how and why hip hop is blowing up in this fascinating country.