A woke generation album called Face Value was recently dropped in digital stores credited to Asian-American rappers Jason Chu and Alan Z, and featuring a gamut of like-minded artists including viral act AJ Rafael. AJ is American by nationality whose parents came from Tondo, Manila.
The 15-track album, which takes pride in “hard-hitting rap music tackling pressing topics affecting the Asian American community” delivered messages and moments through relatively short songs, mostly clocking in between the two-to-three minute mark. That works in the context of a short listening span nowadays. It’s to the rapping duo’s advantage, too, that they rap efficiently, fast, cool and clear enough to be understood.
The one with AJ on board, “Larry Itliong,” is only a minute and 45 seconds long. But it was a fine diamond cut to remind listeners of the man who “came from the Philippines to the States with fifty dollars and a dream.” To resurrect a seemingly forgotten figure, the song poses the question, “What happens when our history’s not on the page?”
No thanks to the Asian hate incidents that obviously triggered the making of this album. But on the bright side, it prompted some valuable digging within the core of talents who gave the package a charging, collective voice.
Chu, heading the artist roster during a virtual media conference staged by Wish USA, expressed being driven by the “kind of opportunity to tell stories and shed light on the cause of Asian American community.” He and Alan were joined by Chow Mane, Htet, and Neela talking about Face Value aptly described as an “Asian American History on Record.”
While the songs are lyrically aggressive in general, the artists behind them saw their efforts as a “way for audiences to access the passion and stories that can transform and heal society in a year when racial and social issues are centered in the national discourse.”
The opening track offers a melodiously quick chorus that speaks of unity being what we need because the “passion of our elders lives through me.” Another number proudly stated, “What an honor just to be Asian!”
Jason Chu has toured college campuses as a leading voice in Asian American culture while Alan Z is a mainstay in the Atlanta hip-hop scene. Others involved include WWE star Zeda Zhang, actors Bee Vang and Dante Basco, as well as comedian Ronny Chieng.
Wish USA, a digital music platform powered by a mobile bus studio “that frequents the streets of Hollywood,” appeared to be a perfect partner for Face Value to reach its intended audience.
Some racists may have thought the coronavirus pandemic was a legitimate excuse to launch attacks on people of Asian descent. These Asian American artists saw no reason to retaliate with their fists but instead initiated an open discussion grounded on relevant backstories and hope. As proven by the album’s vibe, cohesive music is enough to choose kindness over violence or to feel inspired and not frustrated.”‹