Skull is “Here to Stay”…but military service may await
By Shay • Sep 18th, 2007 • Category: Korea, hip-hop, music, newsSkull hase been living up to his second single’s title “Here to Stay” while his other single still holds it down on the charts. But the “powerful voice for Korea may soon be silenced”.
Korean reggae artist Skull’s US debut single “Boom Di Boom Di” is still on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales — after 9 weeks. Remember the SparkPlugged article about his first week on the chart, when his song debuted at #10? Well, now “Boom Di Boom Di” sits comfortably at #5 and peaked at #4 in the past weeks.
Skull’s new single is “Here to Stay”.
I really like “Boom Di Boom Di” (obviously) but I actually enjoy “Here to Stay” more. The song, which features Mighty Mystic is really laid back. The skanking guitar riff accompanies raps and vocals as well as a catchy chorus. The song is relevant to his situation.
Skull has really got it going on…but there’s a twist.
According to a Sept. 16 article from the Music Industry News Network (Mi2N) and Skull’s official MySpace blog:
The Korean Military is requiring that Skull serve his obligatory two and 1/2 year term of service, prior to the completion of his US Debut album. Skull who is the first Korean artist to be embraced by Urban audiences and gain a foothold in American Pop Culture may soon disappear off the scene, and with him, the singular opportunity for Korean American youth to look proudly to a prominent star who resembles them, and feel less alienated by an American pop culture machine which has thus far managed to entirely exclude them.
The article titled “SKULL A Powerful Voice For Korea May Soon Be Silenced By Mandatory Military Service” is the reality. Mandatory military service in Korea is a fact of life but it’s a big damper on Skull’s promising US career. It’s surely expected though.
We’re already used to our favorite male Korean stars going off on a 2-year hiatus but it feels different when the star is active in the US. We’ll have to just wait while he proudly serves his country.
I support Skull and his responsibilities and many of us will stick tight if he has to do his thing. Bless!
(Listening to “Here to Stay” on Skull’s MySpace will cheer you up)
Shay is eating Yen and Won for breakfast.
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Yes..you are used to your stars having a 2 year hiatus but what you’re also used to is having manufactured pop stars who never see the light of day in the American Market. Skull is the only artist in Korea who had the realness to be accepted iby American and Jamaican fans. His video is a HUGE hit in Jamaica, that’s HISTORIC!!
Finally there’s an opportunity for Koreans to be represented proudly in American Pop culture. Think about it…Asians in America crossover only if they adhere to silly stereotype…The men do Cheesy martial art action films and the women are sex symbols. So here we have an opportunity to be more than that and you’re waving the flag like a robot…it’s the wrong flag!!! Asians need to stand up and be more…get it?
This is 2008 and it’s time to stop adhering to stereotypes. Skull is our chance to change things…Rain and other manufactured artists will NEVER have a chance in America if they are performing for non Asians…let’s celebrate the success SKULL represents for us and speak out! I liked this article:
http://bigupradio.com/NewsDetail.jsp?nid=611
interesting stuff
A reggae artist from Korea! I have to check out his music
umm … most Jamaicans really hate this guy…he’s an american invention and many korean americans are embarrassed by him.
He’s actually from Korea, not America at all. And he has a successful music career in Korea.
Hey the Amazing reggae singer Ava leigh has free music at avaleigh.co.uk