Rich versus Wealthy: Kaba Modern, Ramiele Malubay, and JabbaWockeeZ

So hearing that Ramiele Malubay has been dismissed from American Idol it got me thinking - where does everyone go from here?

I'm glad to see all these Asian faces in the popular culture - and that alone is significant to the AA community - but I've also been wondering for a while, especially with Kaba Modern and JabbaWockeeZ- what's next for them as individuals - and in the end, how significant is it to the Asian American community or other communities of color when asking the question of how far we've really come?

Are these just little blips on the radar screen that really don't mean as much as we may think, or are they extremely significant because of the inspiration that comes along with seeing someone represent the AA community in major media, even if just for a short time?

If one person is touched by the Asian face they see on the television, could that inspire them to do something great - to cross boundaries they might not have before? Can rock and roll really save the world?

I have to admit that while I think it only helps the AA and other communities of color - and being on television can only be a boon to each person (and they're definitely great building blocks because nothing is made in a day and I love seeing the inspiration they bring) - I also can't help but think of Chris Rock and the difference between being rich and being wealthy - the difference in being an NBA player who gets paid huge sums of money, and the owner that actually pays them.

As a community - in part or in whole - I have to think that we're more rich than wealthy - and while I know you can never become wealthy without being rich first (and that it's better than sleeping on the street), I'm hoping I see the time when we're wealthy as a community - when we're not just getting paid - but we're the ones cutting the checks.

Big Chan, Eugene Huang, Kaba Modern, Eli Stone

New Tunage



Check out some new tracks by Big Chan - Zip Codes featuring Singapore Kane - and also Pop Rocker Eugene Huang's new song Belong.

Both cuts should get you going - even if in different directions.

Kaba Modern



If you haven't been watching MTV's America's Best Dance Crew you'll definitely want to check it out and see the AA group Kaba Modern from UC Irvine who have some serious skills.



Here's a Q & A with each member:

TONY TRAN, 20 - WEST COVINA, CA
What do you hope to gain from your 'Dance Crew' experience? Just having fun is all I need.

MIKE SONG, 21 - TORRANCE, CA
Is there anything else that we should know? My first freestyling in front of a big audience ended up being one of the most viewed online internet clips of all time. I got served when I first got up to freestyle on a big stage. (Look up "Robot dance clip" or "elsewhere" and you'll see me when I was fourteen.)

YURI TANG, 22 - IRVINE, CA
What other talents do you have? I'm a professional at living out of my car, eating a lot, and enjoying life!

LAWRENCE KAO, 22 - HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA
Who are your own dancing idols? I don't really have any specific dancing idols, but any dancer who passionately explores the art form despite their capabilities is in itself worth idolizing.

CINDY MINOWA, 20 - MICHIGAN
Is there anything else that we should know? I would like to give a quick shout-out to my mother for the extreme struggle she had to go through to support and raise me. I wouldn't be dancing if it wasn't for her, perhaps not even made it alive if it wasn't for her. She has taught me how to be courageous, encouraging, fighter and a hard worker. She is my best friend, ex-roommate (shared a bedroom before), financial partner, mostly my hero of life.

JIA HUANG, 24 - ARCADIA, CA
What is a source of inspiration for your dancing career? I dance because when I hear a funky beat, my body can't help but start moving to the beat. It makes me feel free and alive. All I want to be able to do is dance til I am old and gray.

Eli Stone

Read a good post about the new show Eli Stone, and the Asian American character Dr. Chen who goes in and out of having an accent in the scene below: