Category Archives: music

Asian American music

Who Am I album by J-Styles

Who Am I album by J-Styles
Born and raised in San Francisco, J-Styles is an Asian American rapper/MC that’s breaking the music scene and stereotypes with his hip-hop/ electro-pop style of music and inspirational rhymes. J-Styles found his calling to music while singing on his church’s praise team and realized his passion wasn’t just singing but also spitting rhymes. “There’s not a day I don’t listen to music, I listen to so much I decided to make my own.” Wanted to see more Asians doing main stream music, so rather than complaining he stepped up to the game and recorded his debut mini-album “Who I am” a collection of songs about relationships and life’s motivation. As an Asian American MC, he saw a very under-represented market, but he also saw it as an opportunity and mission to represent his community. “It doesn’t matter if I get famous for being a musician, just as long as I get to do what I love…. which is making music, performing, and changing how America view Asians as musicians is all that matters to me.”

It’s you I miss off the Who Am I album by J-Styles

World Go Blue album by Alfa

World Go Blue album by Alfa

The “World Go Blue” album is Alfa‘s 5th release, and her most mature yet. This melody-driven collection of autobiographical songs were inspired by her move to Los Angeles in 2011. With just the right amount of pop-folk vigor to get stuck in a listener’s head, each song touches on complex but universal themes, from lost innocence to the restlessness of being a 20-something, and the hope that exists despite life’s ebb and flow.

Here’s the tracklisting:

1. War!
2. Blue
3. First Sight of Land
4. Missed Opportunity
5. Unwritten Rule
6. Replaced
7. Cup of Coffee
8. Bergenfield, NJ (feat. Marc Lacuesta)

You can get her album on World Go Blue - Alfa or amazon.

Listen to more Alfa Garcia: Love as Tragedy, Pi Song, and About Goodbyes.

Missed Opportunity by Alfa off her World Go Blue album

The Youths by Long Black Shadow

The Youths by Long Black Shadow

The indie rock band Long Black Shadow dropped their music video for their single “The Youths”. The Costa Mesa-based group (Brian L., Steve W., JP, and Greg W.) rocks it out in a warehouse. They bill themselves as the band with little ambition but a whole lot of heart. Feel the vibe.

You can listen to the song and download it FREE below:

The Youths by Long Black Shadow

Beautiful Escape by AJ Rafael

Beautiful Escape by AJ Rafael

Singer AJ Rafael dropped his new single “Beautiful Escape”. He shares about the fear and hope of love. Although he didn’t have plan to fall in love, he’s quickly drawn in to a new relationship. Sometimes love comes when you least expect it. You can get the song on Beautiful Escape - Beautiful Escape - Single or amazon.

Listen to more AJ Rafael: When We Say (A Juicebox Christmas), Without You, When We Say (Juicebox) and We Could Happen.

Beautiful Escape by AJ Rafael

Lyrics to Beautiful Escape by AJ Rafael

i don’t know where this is going
i don’t know how this all came about
but all i know is that i’ll never–
forget the way you looked at me that night

maybe someday you’ll be leavin’
maybe one day we’ll say it’s over and done
but right now, i wanna breathe it in and sing it out
i’m not afraid of where it’s taking me tonight

and somehow this is not the way i planned it
i didn’t think i’d need someone right now, then there was you

chorus
let’s get away from here
away to a universe that’s not so close, my dear
and in my arms you’ll stay
amazing how you take my breath away

i’m hoping for the real thing
and i know i find my realness in you
these nights are never-ending
to have you here would be so overdue

and somehow i’m just falling way too quickly
the moment that you put your hand in mine
no wasted time

chorus

bridge
can stars determine what will be of you and me
cuz i see stars when i look into your eyes
can we imagine what it’d be, just you and me
endless possibilities, in your eyes– can we

chorus