MIA Learning Objective: Develop understanding of MIA, focusing on perceptions of her “asianness” and the concept of appropriation

Where is the new Asian wave?

Cultural Appropriation- not a new thing? Watch this video : why is it an example of cultural appropriation? Apache Indian Videos and Video Codes | Boom Shak-A-Lak Video | Free Music Video Codes | 15129Apache Indian Videos and Video Codes | Boom Shak-A-Lak Video | Free Music Video Codes | The idea of appropriating other cultures/ethnicities through music is not a new phenomenon. Artists from Elvis to the Rolling Stones to Eminem have appropriated black music, style and culture. Popular music, particularly British music has always appropriated other cultures, notably black American. Apache Indian is an example of an Asian artist appropriating Jamaican dancehall reggae culture and music. Jay Sean and other contemporary Asian artists have realised that to attain any success in the record industry you need to appropriate not innovate! Jay Sean is also an example of an artist who has become ‘deracialised’, a term coined to describe Barack Obama. The idea that a person’s ethnicity is somehow taken away so that it loses its importance. Others would argue that he hasn’t become deracialised and that he has an ethnicity, just not the one he was born into!

Asian music genres - Desi anyone? Much Asian pop music is not mainstream. Many young Asians have forged their own musical identity, creating genres that are only popular amongst the Asian community. Do we know any names of these genres? Bhangra- a Punjabi music. Recently it has been mixed with western dance beats. The most popular mainstream example is the Punjabi MCs ‘Mundian to Bach Ke’. Desi – a hindi pop music. Bollywood- songs from films Asian hip hop – often simply copying US hip hop. Some acts such as Asian Dub Foundation are politically motivated. Much Asian music will feature particular instruments, rhythms and vocal styles. Listen to a few examples:

Play Bhangra, Desi etc

Watch MIA videos

MIA- cultural hybrid, appropriator, innovator? Questions to conclude with: How explicit is her Asianess? How does he view her own identity? Is MIA a cultural hybrid? Explain. Does she appropriate another culture? How British is she? How influenced by America is she? Is she an example of deracialisation? Explain. Watch this brief interview with her on US TV. cbc-the-hour_musichttp:// cbc-the-hour_music

Question: ‘How have British Asian artists attempted to forge their own identity through popular music’. Consider and include: The complex issues surrounding perceptions of Asianess within music. The Asian market, the BBC and niche genres. The success of Jay Sean and the notion of cultural appropriation/deracialisation. MIA and cultural hybridity/fusion.

Jay Sean Learning Objective: Develop understanding of Jay Sean, focusing on perceptions of his “asianness” and the concept of appropriation

How is Jay Sean represented in these images?

Starter How is Jay Sean represented in his video to “Down”? Consider (and take notes on): –Song genre –Lyrics –His mise-en-scene - compare to other artists in similar genres –Other characters’ mise-en-scene –Stylistic elements of the video (e.g. special effects, cinematography) –Character positions

Cultural Appropriation and Jay Sean The idea of appropriating other cultures/ethnicities through music is not a new phenomenon. Artists from Elvis to the Rolling Stones to Eminem have appropriated black music, style and culture. Jay Sean and other contemporary Asian artists have realised in the last few years that to attain any success in the record industry you might need to appropriate rather than innovate. Jay Sean is also an example of an artist who has become ‘deracialised’, a term coined to describe Barack Obama. It is the idea that a person’s ethnicity is somehow taken away so that it loses its importance. Others would argue that he hasn’t become deracialised and that he has an ethnicity, just not the one he was born into! We will now think about what his ethnicity is…

Jay Sean – a case study Jay Sean was born as Kamaljeet Singh Jhooti in Harlesden, Northwest London to Sharan and Bindi Jhooti, Punjabi Sikh immigrants Before signing a record deal he studied medicine at Queen Mary’s. He made his recording with "Dance with You (NachnaTere Naal)’, produced by Rishi Rich. He is the first Asian origin solo artist and the first UK Urban act ever to top Billboard's Hot 100“, with his single ‘Down’. He is also only the ninth (but first British) male solo performer to top the US charts with his debut single. The single sold two million copies in the United States, making him "the most successful male UK urban artist in US chart history.

“Top of the Poppadams”

“All the Raj”

Jay Sean article Task: read, discuss in pairs and then annotate, considering: 1.What parts of his upbringing were stereotypically ‘Asian’? 2.How was he initially treated by the press? 3.How and why did this change? 4.Why do you think he is more successful in the US than the UK? 5.Are his Sikh roots still important to him? 6.Are there any other points made about his ethnicity that you find interesting?

Jay Sean article What parts of his upbringing were stereotypically ‘Asian’? –Caution (only quit job after signing contract) –Importance of education –Buying property to rent out –Father a businessman –High status professional qualification

Jay Sean article How was Jay Sean initially treated by the press? –As an ‘Asian’ rather than a ‘British’ R&B singer –Headlines like “Top of the Popadums” and “All the Raj” How and why did this change? –Re-modelled himself - ditched Indian samples and his old, spiky-haired Asian look for a poppier R&B vibe

Jay Sean article Why do you think he is more successful in the US than the UK? –US care less (and know less) about his ethnicity – “I had a clean slate” Are his Sikh roots still important to him? –Yes, he is still proud of his culture –He believes he has helped young Asians aspire to him as a role model

Written task Write at least 1 paragraph exploring how the newspaper article portrays Jay Sean, giving quotes as evidence.

Homework (for Monday) Write at least 200 words about how the theory of Stuart Hall might relate to Jay Sean. Think about how his identity has changed.