Daily Archives: December 6, 2010

Stay on the Grind by Kero One x Ohmega Watts

Stay on the Grind by Kero One x Ohmega Watts

Kero One dropped his latest music video “Stay on the Grind” with his homie Ohmega Watts. In the 90’s, hip hop and skateboarding went hand-in-hand, whether it was tagging the streets with graffiti or witnessing freestyle circles between skateboarders and the famed Oakland rap crew, The Hieroglyphics. Growing up as a skateboarder during this time, it was inevitable that Kero One would be heavily influenced by underground hip hop. Kero One pays homage to the skateboarding roots of his past visiting the skateboarding scene of Long Beach, CA in the aftermath of a gang-shooting that ended the life of Blacc Mike, one of the city’s most promising professional skaters. Kero One states, “It was dope that we were able to film at places like the Michael K. Green Skate Park, which was created in Blacc Mike’s honor, and being able to meet and skate with the community that was so heavily influenced by people like him. This park isn’t just a simple playground, there are bigger things going on here such as the ability to help to keep many of these kids out of gangs.”

Stay on the Grind is off Kero One’s Ealy Believers album. Get a copy of the track on Stay On the Grind (feat. Ohmega Watts) - Early Believers or amazon. Here’s more music videos from Kero ONe When Sunshine Comes, Keep Pushin’, On Bended Knee, and Welcome to the Bay.

Stay on the Grind by Kero One x Ohmega Watts

Lyrics to Stay on the Grind by Kero One x Ohmega Watts

Chorus
When those bills act up, we gotta stay on the grind
if these lady’s act a fool, I’mma stay on the grind
when those plans fall through, we gotta stay on the grind
Ohmega I got your back just hit me up on my line

When critics hold you back, we gotta stay on the grind
when those stress levels rise, I’mma stay on the grind
when those payments come late, we gotta stay on the grind
Kero I got your back so hit me up anytime…

Kero’s verse
I see stacks upon stacks in my view all day
where bills attacks my desk till my desk gives way
wearing so many hats that my hair’s concave
producer, writer, rapper, CEO of plug label
with beats for days incomplete in my lab
my hands tied back tryna unwrap this gift of gab
making the present precious while pressure trys to impress us
with deadlines to wine, dine and undress us
but I wont be screwed and I refuse to lose man
I use my two hands to do what few can
but if I fail, then at least I made the effort
I seek to make a record that speaks to reach your sector
so rewind selector past the female drama
skip the male testosterone, that kills our products
I want to hear something that uplifts my mind
spirit and soul, and motivates me to grind

Chorus

Ohmegas Verse
My hands hurt from driving all day
Nine hour trip to the bay, next stop is LA
Rocking with the CEO of the label I plug into for a fix
Packed with goodness and sound bites
You can manage on a diet whether or not you eat right
Large or light, now take my advice you’re
gonna love it when you get it
I work hard nine to five + so you enjoy every minute
That you listen to or visualize one of my creations
From production to design I thrive off motivation
And relationship tragedies can’t blow my battery
Its Ohmegas’ anatomy holding it down with gravity
A smooth ripper on mics, hard act to follow
Your chances are slimmer than winning the state lotto
My mottos follow your dreams and grind
Don’t sell yourself short cause its about that time

Kero One
With 24 hours left in the day
I feel like the works over welcomed its stay
caressing my stresses, but its all worth it
cause staying idle’s an idol that I won’t worship

Ohmega watts
Nor give any affection, and lessons are blessings
take stumbling blocks to build for progression
instead of lying awake drifting through life I’m sifting
capturing moments for good living

Kero One
Which once was once a labor of love,
but with dues paid, moves made, we’re making that buzz
full time artists…
with grace from above

Ohmega watts
we travel the globe..

Kero One
to unfold that music we love..

Ohmega watts
and embrace it, a passion life long
our songs paint a tapestry beautiful as the sun at dawn
we’re here to stay, until our final breathe slips away
these dues paid our investment for future days

Xmas Without China

Xmas Without China

“Xmas Without China” is a feature documentary set around the Christmas holiday in Arcadia, California, a neighborhood that used to be predominantly white, but is now half Asian. Tom Xia, a Chinese-American immigrant challenges his neighbors, the Jones Family, to spend the entire month leading up to Christmas with no Chinese products in their home and without purchasing any Chinese products for the holidays. Fed up with food and toy recalls, the Joneses take up the challenge. But the tables turn when Tim Jones provokes Tom about who he is and why he’s so proud of China. As the Joneses struggle to figure out how to have a simpler Christmas in a time when “we don’t make anything anymore,” they also begin to think about just how related they are to China. Fed up with the mudslinging between the two countries, Tom finds himself on an unlikely journey to break down stereotypes between China and America, and find his own place between these worlds.

The filmmakers are trying to raise $15,000 to finish the film. They need a few more shoots to follow Tom’s journey, including a trip back to China, and to move into the final stages of post-production. Watch the trailer and if you want to help fund the film, you can do it here. Perks based on your donation level include credits on the website and film, the documentary on DVD, a private screening with you and your friends with the filmmakers, and much more.

Xmas without China

Filmmakers Tom Xia and Alicia Dwyer talk Xmas Without China

The future of Asian Americans in media

The future of Asian Americans in media>

The folks over at Racebending put together a great piece from the red carpet of the 2010 CAPE Soriee. They hit up some of the hottest Asian American actors and actresses around and ask them “What do you envision for the futures of Asians and Asian Americans in media and entertainment?” Everyone pretty much on the same page on this one. Among the people interviewed are Leonardo Nam, James Kyson Lee (Heroes), Tim Kang (The Mentalist), Steve Tao (CAPE President), Randall Park, Ken Jeong (Community, The Hangover), Archie Kao (CSI), Jae Suh, Sandeep Parikh (Legend of Neil, The Guild), Philip Wang & Wesley Chan (Wong Fu Productions), Lina So, Amy Okuda (The Guild), Camille Mana (One on One), and Justin Chon (The Twilight Saga).

The future of Asian Americans in media

The Potential Wives of Norman Mao

The Potential Wives of Norman Mao

Director Derek Nguyen is raising funds for a new Asian American film with George Takei! “The Potential Wives of Norman Mao” is a film about an awkward man-child and his parents’ journey to find him a good Chinese wife. Norman Mao is an overweight, and socially-awkward man-child from Hong Kong, who at the age of 33 is still a virgin and unwed. Desperate to get him married, his parents take him on an international junket across the globe to find him a worthy Chinese wife. The Maos arrive to a New York City hotel, which is their final stop on their trip and their last hope to find Norman a bride. Having hired a professional matchmaking service, the Maos meet with three matches for Norman. Will one of these women be a potential wife for Norman or is he destined to lead a terribly lonely life?

Norman Mao with parents

The Potential Wives of Norman Mao is a quirky and heartwarming short film narrated by the legendary George Takei (Star Trek) and starring Ed Lin (Snakes Can’t Run and renowned writer), Tina Chen (Three Days of the Condor, Face), Ron Nakahara (Hawaii Five-O), Cindy Cheung (Lady in the Water, Children of Invention), Michelle Ang (Xena, The Tribe), Soomi Kim (Law & Order), and Wai Ching Ho (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Happiness). Beautifully shot by Sam Chase (Moonlight Sonata, Two Mothers, Almost Perfect), this comic fairytale was written and directed by of Sundance Screenwriters Lab alumni Derek Nguyen, and produced by Blake Ashman-Kipervaser (Prince of Broadway, The Lottery, Greg the Bunny) and Shannon McCoy Cohn (Sea Nation).

The film is in post-production and currently raising $6000 to complete the project. Your contributions will help pay for editing, color correction, music composition, sound design, submissions to festivals, and all the other necessary expenses to make this little film into a reality. Many of our cast and crew are industry professionals who’ve donated their time, energy, and talent to make The Potential Wives of Norman Mao. Based on your level of support you can get a bunch of cool gifts including DVDs, the credits in the film, an George Takei autographed copy of the script, carious levels of producer credits, and more. Get the details here.

Behind the scenes of The Potential Wives of Norman Mao

Like a G6 in State Farm Commercial

Like a G6 in State Farm Commercial

A Mandarin language State Farm Commercial is floating around in some of the major markets in the US. In the ad, Far East Movement’s Like a G6 is spinning in the background as a car full of guys head to the club. See the power of FM and State Farm together. Actors in the spot include Roger Liang, Rich Yap, Anthony Ma, Simon Twu, and Sam Yim.

Recently, another Far East Movement track “She Owns the Night” was featured in a Reese’s commercial.

Like a G6 in State Farm Commercial

(Thanks to Alex P for the find.)

Workout Tape with Randall Park

Workout Tape with Randall Park

Randall Park teams up with MagicHugs to produce a spoof of bad infomercials. You’ve seen tons of late night infomercials, but none quite like this. As Ronny Nishimoto, Randall Park pitches his new workout regimen. It’s better than P90X. He has trained many stars, but enough about the stars. Learn about his three step fitness rotine from wait training, getting noots, and mental training. Untold strength in arm wresting await you. In no time, you’ll lose weight, get stronger, and make new friends. Remember to be fit is to be legit.

Get more laughs with Randall Park with these shorts: WWJD, Megabot, The Food Show, and Dumb Professor.

Workout Tape with Randall Park