JAPANESE TEENS ARE GOING HIP HOP
NBC NEWS TRANSCRIPTS — BY KIKO ITASAKA
Published · reached Usenet October 5, 1998
HEADLINE: JAPANESE TEENS ARE GOING HIP HOP
ANCHORS: LEN CANNON
REPORTERS: KIKO ITASAKA
BODY: LEN CANNON, anchor:
Finally tonight, America's latest cultural export. It's a street-smart combination of music, fashion and a whole lot of attitude. And it's helping young people make a very public statement in a society very sensitive to tradition. Here's NBC's Kiko Itasaka.
KIKO ITASAKA reporting:
Straight from urban America to the streets of Japan, most definitely un-Japanese. But for many teen-agers, hip hop is the happening thing. Popular DJ Chris Pepler says it's more than a fad.
Mr. CHRIS PEPLER: It's very, very grounded. And I just thought it was just going to fade away. But actually, you know, it gets stronger and stronger and stronger.
ITASAKA: Music is just part of it. Japanese teens are dressing and, yes, even looking the part. It requires a substantial investment of time and money. Nine hours, $ 900. Some last minute touchups. Then it's off to Tokyo's hip hop club scene. You might ask why this music and dance, born on the streets of urban America is so popular here. Hardly anyone speaks English and they can't follow the words. But for the most part, they say it doesn't matter because they still get the message. American dancer Thomas Paul says the rebellious attitude of hip hop speaks to young Japanese and helps them break away from their conformist heritage.
Mr. THOMAS PAUL: Everything about Japanese society at this time is saying, 'Obey. Do this, do as you're told, do what your teachers tell you. Do what a policeman tells you.' And the Japanese youth at this time, they're saying, 'Hey, look, we're tired of this.' With hip hop as it is right now, the Japanese youth are more or less looking for their role.
ITASAKA: For Noriko Koniko, hip hop is an escape from the pressures of work and family.
Ms. NORIKO KONIKO: I listen to the music, I feel the music and I feel so good when I'm dancing.
ITASAKA: This is not the first time American culture has been embraced by Japan. But right now, hip hop is a hot seller, enjoyed by people of various ages. Kiko Itasaka, NBC News, Tokyo.