Customer Reviews

The Rest Is History

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

With a strong start, a weak middle, and a decent finish, Jin's long delayed album gives us something more introspective than we would've expected, but perhaps less challenging than it should've been. He doesn't know whether to take the high or low road so he goes for the middle, and as some reviews said, sometimes it can be bland.

But he does have potential, and songs like "Here Now," "Cold Outside," and "Thank You" show an insightful lyrical prowess that is lacking from a lot rappers these days (though it does get tiring to hear new rappers say "I'm not a gangsta"). "Get Your Handz Off" and "I Got a Love", though not perfect, show what he can do with some well-produced beats. It should be said though that his flow is noticeably flawed and sometimes jarring, and I hope someone has the guts to tell him that.

Many had doubts if he could actually carry a song when he wasn't battling someone, and though he can be insightful, he still goes for the whole "I'm better than you because I sold this much" schtick, and there's not much to back up that attitude. He doesn't exploit his Chinese heritage like most of those Def Jam poetry Asians, but "Learn Chinese" is easily the worst and most irritating song on the album. It was badly received and rightly so. He alienates most of the listeners by telling them what he's not and what they need to do (learn chinese?). I couldn't relate to this song at all, and I'm Korean-American.

Besides the identity crisis between rapping from the heart and rapping to talk big, he does talk of real issues like interracial dating, oppressed Asians, racial equality, and the consequences of the street. These aren't new issues but they have a different *slant* because he's a minority in a minority's genre, and for a world that's not ready for an Asian rapper, you can tell he's giving his all.

Bottom line = Despite flawed flow, a self-destructive single ("Learn Chinese"), and confusion about being pop or being real, Jin still manages a solid debut that probably won't get the respect it deserves, but at least paves the way for future efforts. No one can deny that he's got a spark.

After hearing about a Chinese cat winning 7 consecutive freestyle battles on 106 & Park, I got curious and checked him out online. I downloaded a few of his freestyles and instantly became a fan. This is Jin's debut album (which has been pushed back numerous times) but is now finally released.

1) Intro/Signing
Great introduction. Jin establishes the image he wants to portray right up front with this clever mockery of the Ruff Ryders image.

2) Here Now [4/5]
Jin comes hard on this track. The beat goes well with the flow and might I add, the lyrics are fire.

3) Get Your Handz Off (feat. Swizz Beatz) [3/5]
A good song, but something about it is lacking. Another one of Jin's hard tracks.

4) Club Song [2/5]
This is definitely the wackest joint on the album. However, the concept is unique to the obligatory club singles submitted by every mainstream emcee. Jin raps about needing a club song on an album to sell. The beat was wack and the hook was annoying.

5) The Come Thru (feat. Twista) [4/5]
Definitely moving in the positive direction after the previous track which was a disaster. Twista complements Jin very well on this song.

6) So Afraid [4/5]
This was actually supposed to be Jin's single until it got changed to Senorita. The beat is banging and the flow is hard. Jin once again conveys a message about throwing the ice and rims away and bringing a positive change.

7) I Got a Love (feat. Kanye West) [5/5]
This song is smooth. Kanye West delivers with the beat and also adds a nice complimentary hook.

8) Chinese Beats (Skit)
Hilarious skit and a nice addition to the album as a whole. This skit basically summarizes the message of the album.

9) Learn Chinese (feat. Wyclef Jean) [3/5]
I didn't enjoy this track too much at first but it grew on me.

10) The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly [4/5]
Jin once again conveys his image as an atypical rapper. Track is hot.

11) Senorita [4/5]
This is Jin's single off the album. I didn't enjoy this track too much at first but it also grew on me, like "Learn Chinese". The song is smooth and reminds you of driving down the Miami strip in a convertible, or drivin down the 101 (for you Cali folks).

12) Love Story (feat. Aja Smith) [5/5]
Jin explains the story of how he met his first love. The track is smooth.

13) Cold Outside (feat. Lyfe) [5/5]
Another smooth song. Lyfe adds a nice hook to the song too.

14) Cmon [4/5]
Solid track explaining the general message of the album: Jin is not a gimmick and he is here for real and here to stay.

15) Karaoke Night (feat. Styles) [2/5]
I thought this track was wack, even with Styles on it. The lyrics were on point but the beat killed it.

16) Same Cry (feat. LT) [5/5]
One of the best songs on the album. Jin goes back to his roots and talks about child labor, conspiracies in his homeland, and the Asian American struggle.

17) Thank You [5/5]
Another dope track! Jin mentions a ton of heads who helped him throughout his career and life.

All in all, this album is a solid debut. Jin has great potential as a rapper if he keeps his head straight and doesn't steer too far into the land of commercial crap. Jin is one of a few among the mainstream rappers who have paid his dues in the underground and have risen up to succeed in the mainstream.

First of all I am an African american who has been listening to hip hop all my life. Underground to mainstream. My girlfriend bought jins cd and i had a chance to listen to it. Do not sleep on this cd just because Jin is asian and a "nobody" in the rap game. He has just started and has alot of potential. I know alot of my friends would not give this cd a listen just because of jins race, and that is just sad, rappers should not be judged solely on their race. If you watch freestyle fridays on BET then you seen his work, this cat has skills. My favorite songs are hands off, i gotta love and thank you.

All I can say is wow. Fans have been waiting for years for the debut album from Jin, the Asian rapper who won the hearts and respect of hip-hop fans when he was retired from BET's hip-hop battle segment Freestyle Friday. Several years ago it was announced that Jin had signed to Ruff Ryders--the home to artist such as DMX, Jadakiss and Drag-On.

Jin's single, "Learn Chinese" went to radio last fall. The single was produced by Wyclef Jean and did well. The album The Rest Is History was slated for a 1st quarter 2004 release. However, the album was pushed back for no real clear reason. Ruff Ryders went on to release albums by Drag-On and Jadakiss and now FINALLY Jin's album is in stores. Although the timing is good, it's not ideal. There is not a strong single out and the video has yet to go into rotation, but at least the album is out!

The Rest Is History is the Jin album fans have been waiting for. The first song on the album "Change Me," Jin addresses that fact that he is not a gimmick and that he doesn't really care what people say because he knows he is talented. "Change Me" is followed up by "Get Your Handz Off" which has a KRAZY beat. This song features Swizz Beats but was produced by Neo Da Matrix, a producer who works with a lot of Ruff Ryders artist.

When I interviewed Jin several weeks ago, he stated that "So Afraid" was one of his favorite cuts on the album. This song was recorded over the summer and was produced by Kwame. Kwame, a former rapper himself has produced recent hits for Lloyd Banks and Tweet. This song basically takes aim at the materialism and lack of originality of hip-hop. Jin even goes as far as to say just because your songs are on 106 and TRL doesn't mean that your stuff is going to sale. Jin would rather have loyal fans that more royalties he says, but don't think he doesn't want to sell big, he just wants to find balance. This song is the one that is being sent to clubs on the flipside of "Senorita."

Hands down one of the hottest songs on the set is "I Got A Love." This song really should have been the first single, if not the first single at least the second. This song is produced by Kanye West and features Kanye on the track, but the track is SO crazy, expect to hear this song make it's way to radio and clubs probably faster than most of the other songs on the album. No denying Kanye West is hot this year.

The Wyclef Jean produced song, "Learn Chinese" is on the track list. The first single released "Senorita" is very catchy and top 40. Produced by Neo, this song is so pop and catchy it might not quite fit into the urban radio format well. No doubt about it though, this song is hot, and the video will be in rotation soon. However, when you put this song up against the other songs on the album, it almost seems out of place.

A possible wiser first single for Jin with both top 40 and urban radio appeal is "Love Story." This song has an old skool beat and is about Jin's experience with a past love in an interacial relationship. It kind of has a vibe of the Lil Flip song "Sunshine." The young woman singing on this track is named Aja Smith. This is a slow cut and it's followed by another slow song, "Cold Outside" which features newcomer Lyfe singing.

Songs, "Club Song," "The Come Thru," and "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" are perfect album tracks and the song "C'Mon" has potential to be a single. Artists featured on the album include Wyclef, Twista, Styles P, Swizz Beats, Kanye West and others. Overall, The Rest Is History is a great album.

Jin's (Jin Au-Yeung) debut album is "The Rest is History" (2004). Up until recently I have followed Jin's music from a distance, watched him win a number of freestyle contests and establish himself as an up and coming rapper. Being the first Asian MC to get major mainstream attention must have its ups and downs, Ruff Ryder's Jin has proven he deserves that chance to shine. After the introduction, Jin shows some hunger on the standout "Here Now", rhyming and delivering his own chorus. Fastpaced Swizz Beatz produced "Get Ur Handz Off" follows, a decent cut. Next couple tracks fall under skip material for me, then Jin hooks up with Kayne West on "I Got a Love", a track that flows smoothly. Jin reps his roots on "Learn Chinese" with Wyclef. Another single off this album is "Senorita", a dance track where Jin talks to the ladies, not feeling it. Jin shines on "Love Story", delivering a genuine track about his own love story, while Aja Smith provides some soulful vocals. On "Cold Outside" feat. Lyfe , Jin opens up, and gets instrospective talking about who he really is. The albums last real standout track for me is "Same Cry", a track where Jin goes deep talking about Tiananmen square, SARs, and how the Chinese only allow one child per family, while L.T provides a memorable chorus. I like it when Jin talks about relevant issues. I do not like the overly pop club friendly tracks though. Sure, they may help an album sell, but really have no long term value. "The Rest is History" is a decent debut album, with a couple of standout tracks.

man, i'll b str8 w/ everyone out there...first time i heard jin with learn chinese, i thought he was a wanna be whack rapper...i wasn't even thinkin of buying his album today or better yet, ever..but i work at sam goody, and i told my manager to put jin's cd on, just because i was tired of hearing the same stuff all day long...thank God i did, because if i didn't, i woulda missed out on a truely great cd...i heard the cd in it's entirety, and let's just say i bought it before the day was over...thatz how good he is...he earned my respect, and he earned a fan...this dude can str8 up rhyme and his flow is raw...plus, unlike the wanna be thugz and wanna be gangstas, jin says it straight up that he's not a gangsta, or a thug...much respect for that my dog...it takes guts being a true thug, but it takes equal guts being true to everyone about urself, and saying ur not a thug or a gansta, and u don't care what anyone thinks...thats exactly what he did...it takes alot of heart and guts to be real w/ the fans...he's proof that you don't have to be a thug or a gangsta to sell records...i haven't heard an album this real since 2pac...the stuff he talks about in this album is real...jin is for real...i loved all the tracks on this album...learn chinese was alright, but the rest was raw...he should've definitely chose another debut single, cuz there are so many songs on this album that coulda been a great debut single....if ur tired of the same ole wanna be thug rap, then your in luck, cuz jin spits reality, not wug or wanksta rap...this is true hip-hop...stop reading this and buy it!!!!!!!!

Despite critics denouncing Jin's questionable "gimmicky" unofficial single, "Learn Chinese", this album still represents a solid performance from the Freestyle Friday champion from BET's 106 and Park. The album features guest appearances from some of the hottest hip-hop artists in the mainstream today, including Kanye West, Twista, and Styles P. Some highlights of the album include "Get Your Handz Off", which has Jin spitting a unique rhyming pattern over a fast-paced, upbeat set of Neo beats. Definitely not an artist lacking in wits and a sense of humor, Jin includes the satiric "Club Song" to poke fun at the similar qualities of so many mainstream songs today. Twista packs some heat with his appearance on "The Come Thru", which ironically includes a catchy, club-songish beat. One of two love-themed songs "I Got A Love" features the production and chorus singing of Kanye West, with Kanye utilizing his similar trademarked methods of sampling to create a catchy, drum-based background. Jin represents his hometown of Miami on his official single, "Senorita", which includes bouncy tunes that will inevitably hit many dance floors. "Love Song" is one of the truest tracks laid down by the emcee, where he rhymes about his first love and the issues of interracial relationships. Jin doesn't stop there, as he simply flips the script on "C'mon", which is arguably the best song on the album, lyrically and rhythmically. Trying to shy away from the usual subjects of cars, sex, and drugs that appear so regularly on hip-hop albums, Jin's most profound performance is manifested in "Same Cry", where he lectures about many struggles that Asians and Asian Americans have had to face throughout history. To top it all off, Jin remembers to count his blessings and dedicates a hot track called "Thank You", which features a thank you speech of epic length, showing that the artist isn't taking anything for granted. Overall, "The Rest Is History" features some solid performances from Jin, as he demonstrates versatility, potential for mass appeal, and lyrical insight through his songs.

There is no doubt about it people, Jin has arrived and has made a mark on in the music industry. Not many artists can actually achive the what Jin has done on his freshman album, The Rest Is History. He has stepped into the scene on fire! The album from start to finish is simply that, fire. With fresh beats and an even more fresh flow Jin can be unstoppable. Starting with the 2nd track on the record titled HERE NOW, and yes he is here now. He lets the public and other MC's know that he is here. Followed with the killer track GET YOUR HANDZ OFF just emphisizes his point. The beat for that track is nothing less then phenominal as well as the flow that Jin puts out is simply flawless. CLUB SONG is yet another hot track! (Where does he get them?) This is a track definatly for the clubs and the club heads in all of us. The beat and flow intertwine in such a way that you can't help but to find yourself bobbing your head and singing along with the track. Skipping down the tracks, you find the track titled LOVE SONG. This is where Jin really changes the game of hip-hop even more. He pours his heart out in this mid-tempo track telling a story that is as old as time but he manages to make it sound fresh and new. Now that is talent. Followed by yet another heart wrenching track called COLD OUTSIDE and to wrap things up on this record he is humble and, in his way, says thank you for all his gifts that were bestowed on him. To sum it all up, THE REST IS HISTORY is rollercoster of real life with out the guns, drugs, sex, and girls. Jin has given us the other side of hip-hop life. A more realistic side, and for that, thank you Jin. Now for all of you who have read this review, go cop the album if you haven't already 'cause it's blazin'!!!!

Let me say this from the start: this kid would tear me up in a battle, and he's got more skills than an average nigga that just raps to his folks to kill time. Actually, he's got some real skills. And he's one of the few rappers that raps for the essence of hip-hop. He doesn't need to brag about how many guns he's copped, how many people he's murdered, or how much sex he has. He gives you the real him on this album. It contains pure, un-cut hip-hop. I can't remember the last time I heard a cat rap just because he loves it for what it is. I give this album a 5 because Jin is truly what the game has been missing. For the Juelz Santana's and Fabolous's, take a page out of Jin's book and do real rap. I love this guy because just thinking about his style reminds me of what I wish rap was. Forget what ethnic background he is, he could be Irish, Iranian, or Eskimo for all I care, if you don't appreciate Jin, then YOU ARE A FAGG*T that doesn't know anything about REAL rap you idiot. Let's all take a minute of our time to remember the KRS-One and Kool Mo Dee days when rap was real, and thank Jin for doing the real sh*t on this album. COP IT!!!

Ever since I saw this kid spit on the mic during his first battle on 106 & Park, I was hooked. First of all, the kid is rediculous when it comes to battling, his lyrics make you laugh but at the same time make you think, and he extorts passion into his technique. Second of all, for anybody that once said he could never come through with a complete album that was quality, well let me tell you, you are 100% wrong my friends. This is BY FAR the best album of the year, hands down. He has every hot producer on this album, from Just Blaze to Kanye West to Hi-Tek. The lyrics are on point, and this dude is just one of the realest rappers I've ever heard spit on a mic. Bottom line is, if anybody is tired of listening to the same garbage about rappers flossin' with their 25 inch rims and selling cocaine all day long, which they lie about anyway, this album is definately something that will refresh you. I know it did for me, and it's not leaving my disc-changer for a long time, along with the new Mos Def and Talib albums. This album is fire, go cop it, I'm out...peace.