Might SR come to the West, after all?

[matan-san]

Originally Posted by MBF

My guess is, she'll continue to try to establish herself as a producer and songwriter for other artists in Japan and maybe release a little solo work now and then.

I really hope she'll more then a little solo work now and then

[FadedSun]

I honestly don't think there's a market for Asian pop stars in America. As horrible as it sounds to say that. Has there ever been any in the spotlight besides Utada? Utada was never really in the spotlight here. She tried to make it with Exodus, but ultimately failed. Utada's music is definitely more accessible to the masses, so Shiina would likely be an underground hit in America.

[Osiris12345]

Well, there's PSY. Dude's taken America BY STORM.

[thefro]

Originally Posted by Osiris12345

Well, there's PSY. Dude's taken America BY STORM.

Yep, in 2012 it's just a matter of having a catchy enough song & video. Language and culture don't matter nearly as much as they used to. I think we'll see some more Korean acts try to emulate that.

Remains to be seen whether PSY can keep it up.

Of course, you have the Japanese Music Industry being stupid and taking videos off youtube to squeeze more yen from their Japanese customers instead of thinking globally.

[TurtleFu]

Man, don't even talk about Psy. This whole affair pisses me off.
Stupid, stupid Americans.

[Carlx]

Kira Kira Bushi has all the potential.
Not only for the catchy melody, especially for the 'killer pussy' pun thing.

[a_grumble_cake]

Originally Posted by Osiris12345

Well, there's PSY. Dude's taken America BY STORM.

That's the thing, the only time Asians get a break it's with a gag song you're supposed to point at and say, look at the funny Asians. No one is going to give a damn about PSY's next song and maybe Kyari Pamyu Pamyu got a bit more attention for songs other than ponponpon but that's going to stop once people get over the tired "quirky and weird" gimmick.

[Scribble R]

It would take a lot more than Utada’s, um, understatedness to make a dent in the ’no asians in America’s pop music’ problem.

[TurtleFu]

Gangnam Style isn't really a "gag" song. It's more of a satire.
I mean, to Americans it is because they don't understand the lyrics.

But it's actually a really clever (and at times viscous) satire of materialistic Korean youth culture, and it really annoys me how none of the American understand that.

Also, from the people I've talked to they view Psy as a sort of "Haha, look at that funny, ugly Asian man". It is no coincidence that the Asian act to breakthrough into the mainstream is one that only reinforces long-held cultural stereotypes about Asian men (that they are unattractive, uncool, etc.)

[deadgrandma]

There is nothing uncool about a man who dances with Hyuna.