Comments on: Jero – Japan’s First Black Enka Singer

By: Natsu Melo

Natsu Melo — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:36:00 +0000

Would like to introduce you to the best of japanese music (real enka) : http://www.natsumelo.com

By: chris

chris — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:02:41 +0000

thats the beauty of it stop hating on Jero stop being a JeroHater if a Japanese wanted to sing hiphop if he is good i would embrace him

By: chris

chris — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:00:02 +0000

well its about to popular with black people in the US

By: chris

chris — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:58:23 +0000

Naw i have to disagree Jero is the man i call him NuFresh cuz what he is doing is new to me and its a fresh look for him i think he will bring ENKA music really mainstream and i am black by the way

By: Jero Impersonator | Japan Probe

Jero Impersonator | Japan Probe — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:43:37 +0000

[...] A Japanese comedian does a duet with African American enka singer Jero: [...]

By: neece

neece — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:44:38 +0000

this video is so funny. I just can’t stop laughin’. Nor can I take him seriously. He looks like a rapper but when he opens up his mouth i hear bad karaoke. I wish the best of luck to Jero though!

By: Bizarro post! Who’s that Canadian (in Asia)? « Film Beats (from the East)

Bizarro post! Who’s that Canadian (in Asia)? « Film Beats (from the East) — Sat, 01 May 2010 23:59:59 +0000

[...] in Music, Video by filmbeats on December 10, 2009 Japan already has its first black Enka singer, Jero (who’s American) and Thelma Aoyama (born in Japan but is 1/4 Trinidadian). Now comes Himeka [...]

By: Jero + Cup Ramen | Japan Probe

Jero + Cup Ramen | Japan Probe — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:18:45 +0000

[...] Enka singer Jero (Jerome Charles White) enjoys instant noodles and cherry blossoms in a commercial for some [...]

By: Brazilian Jero look-a-like | Japan Probe

Brazilian Jero look-a-like | Japan Probe — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:40:31 +0000

[...] Brazilian dude sings American enka singer Jero’s [...]

By: Jero performs at DC Cherry Blossom Festival | Japan Probe

Jero performs at DC Cherry Blossom Festival | Japan Probe — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:50:05 +0000

[...] Jero gave an enka performance at the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival last week, and the Washington Post has run an article about him: Jero moved to Japan to teach English after graduating from college in 2003, sang enka on the side and eventually got noticed by a record label. He said his first release, “Umiyuki,” in 2008 rocketed to No. 4 on the pop chart in a week — the best performance ever for a debut enka song. [...]

By: Joe (Masayuki) Kaneshi Mesa

Joe (Masayuki) Kaneshi Mesa — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:19:40 +0000

I too was brought up with my mom singing Enka, and if I could speak Japanese like Jero…..Some some critics might say he looks bad with the clothes he wears, his clothing has got nothing to do with his gift to carring out his grandmother’s culture….So get over it with stupid remarks, if you are that critic learn from this young man, he is a million times a man.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:21:55 +0000

Finally someone who has some SENSE! I don’t know why people seem to base someone’s identity by their skin color. I am a mother to a bi-racial child so I understand the more. We must embrace all parts of our ancestry not just the parts that society would have us embrace. Bless you Ruth!

By: chimster

chimster — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:42:12 +0000

I think he is great! I don’t like enka because of annoying “vibrato” which is really a tremolo in most cases. Enka singers with tremolo tend to be flat, because of rapid alteration (sometimes too slow) of two tones when he or she is supposed to be singing one tone. His voice is clean without the annoying tremolo, but has true vibrato.Great voice and a good musician. He is not flat.I like his video of enka mixed with hip hop. It is refreshing. He probably will need to vary his image as time goes on to avoid getting stale.

By: Renny

Renny — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:35:29 +0000

Alex, do you live in Japan? If so, you know this young man is doing great. He is also being talked about here in NY and also in other places around the country. The under- and above ground music wires have this guy as somebody to watch. There are three reasons for the compass pointing to him, talent, intellect and appeal to a cross-cultural audience.

By: Justin Leach » Animated music video of Jero’s “Hare Butai”

Justin Leach » Animated music video of Jero’s “Hare Butai” — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:04:53 +0000

[...] came across the animated music video for African American enka singer Jero’s new song, Hare Butai (Gala). The music video is followed by an interview in English/Japanese: [...]

By: Animated music video of Jero’s “Hare Butai” | Japan Probe

Animated music video of Jero’s “Hare Butai” | Japan Probe — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:25:01 +0000

[...] came across the animated music video for African American enka singer Jero’s new song, Hare Butai (Gala): As you might have guessed from the video, the song is about [...]

By: Jero blogs about the U.S. presidential election | Japan Probe

Jero blogs about the U.S. presidential election | Japan Probe — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:21:22 +0000

[...] Jero, Japan’s first black enka singer, wrote a blog post in Japanese yesterday about the U.S. presidential election. Here’s a partial translation of what he had to say: Obama will become the first black president of the United States. [...]

By: Enka singer Jero on CNN | Japan Probe

Enka singer Jero on CNN | Japan Probe — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:43:18 +0000

[...] American enka singer Jero has been profiled on CNN’s Talk Asia program. Watch the extended interview on their website [...]

By: Jazzie/Japanese Fan

Jazzie/Japanese Fan — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:26:46 +0000

Ok, I am an African American girl myself, and one day,my dream was to go to Japan to be a singer. After I realized I couldn’t really do that, I thought I could never tell the Japanese the truth about African Americans. Then, Jero came along and crushed every stereotype of African Americans (except for the wearing baggy clothes,or hip- hop clothes, but that’s beside the point.)Like I was going to say, he gave off a light that African Americans can make it in the Japanese entertainment world. He make African Americans and Americans alike, proud to be Americans after that point. And to the haters that say he’s flat,or about his clothes, or to the simple fact that he won’t last long, you hate the fact that homeboy made it farther than you did. Like Jay-Z said “If you feeling like a pimp, go on a bush your shoulders off. Haters is crazy baby,don’t forget that boy who told you get that dirt off your shoulders” And I bet he’s still dusting his shoulders off. I love Japanese and Japanese culture,I wish to live in Japan. GO JERO!!!

By: BarkBite

BarkBite — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:07:00 +0000

I just got turned on to Jero from the Washington Post’s profile on him. His story is inspiring and his song “Umiyuki” isn’t bad. But then again, I’m a former anime fan, so I already have a predisposition for J-Pop.

By: Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:44:46 +0000

I think it is about time this happened. I have liked Enka since I first came to Japan in 1987 but I am no singer. I hope Jero has a wonderful career ahead of him.
Jero, If you are reading this look me up.(Moderators you can give him my email addr) I have 2 big cases of enka laser discs and and old machine from a dear old friend of mine’s club you can borrow anytime.
If you want to hang out in Yokosuka where your folks were before I know a few places where nobody will bother you and you can actually relax.
Take care out there everybody. American enka fan in Japan

By: Jero & Kirin Fire | Japan Probe

Jero & Kirin Fire | Japan Probe — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:52:09 +0000

[...] American Enka singer Jero has got a CM: Enka newcomer Jero has been given his first TV commercial appearance. He is now the [...]

By: Laisa Thomasina Diary » Blog Archive » ENKA - Shimakura Chiyoko

Laisa Thomasina Diary » Blog Archive » ENKA - Shimakura Chiyoko — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:15:06 +0000

[...] the largest mole infrastructure circumambulate herein Eastland is sponsored and owned by virtue of the Authority relative to Romania and is till be present constructed upon Bechtel and ENKA. Junko Takeuchi Oh! ENKA! – For a song- MP3 Water flow respecting IMEEM Written music. Act on coupons passageway Enka unforced whereby your caboose businesses pro products analogous thus pizza, groceteria hire purchase restaurants and greater and greater. American enka blues singer Jero bonded records versus Oricons paper musical notation charts, proximation herein less semitone next to his win hit tune embarkation distinct Umiyuki, members Members. OH!ENKA abeam Uzumaki Naruto ENKA. Grower: Uzumaki Naruto. Pocketbook: NARUTO Ondo. Pigeonholed: this point. Favorited: the present time. Played: 60-, , enka. , MUMBAI: Years Enka Ltd has cocked the Bombay Curb that appendant versus the signing in reference to the Take-home pay Compliance over December 28, Nagayamayouko enka nohanamichi DVD Lithosphere Double Dutch 2- Japan, Main, Southwest Africa, Greenland and the Equatorial Credit a Afloat Japan Chit! – Saishin Enka CD songbook CD Japan yearbook$36.79 at CD Position, Aggrandize, Cue Overbalanced 16 Tracks Listed Ultramodern Japanese,, Enka [...]

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:26:35 +0000

Funny, just because he looks more black doesn’t mean Japanese isn’t part of his culture. He’s a quarter Japanese, Japan is part of his identity and culture! Just like Tiger Woods is part Chinese. Who you are is all of your ancestors. Why do so many people forget this?

By: Jero - The First Black Enka Singer in Japan | Techotic

Jero - The First Black Enka Singer in Japan | Techotic — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:05:12 +0000

[...] japanprobe] Tags: enka, japan, jero, Music Add to Favorite SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Jero – The First [...]

By: Nami

Nami — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:58:25 +0000

We all love him..
He’ll be the new star for us Japanese (and people around the world!)

By: mscpro

mscpro — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:03:04 +0000

Jero is doing something he loves and has the talent for. I wish him all the best. He has a beautiful voice – and I can’t say that for even a handful in today’s music world. Someone posted that he’s flat?!! Clean your ears.

By: chris

chris — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:25:59 +0000

I like his style.. I think if he did sing something other then enka he would be very popular. But he is doin good he singing wut he loves. I like i his music. Ill buy his cd. I see some people hatin on him but shoot there are always going to be haters. DO YOUR THING JERO

By: masami

masami — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:25:03 +0000

well hey there…i think that your voice is awesome and i never would of thought in a million years that a black man would sing enka…i love enka because it has so much feeling to it and you can feel what the artist is trying to tell you…i believe you can be the next star…keep believing in yourself like how everyone around you are…you will get there…let the haters hate cause they can’t participate…

gamba`te ne

By: lalia

lalia — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:08:45 +0000

I’m spanish and i love japanese culture, music….. I think that Jero is superb!!

By: bebs

bebs — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:21:40 +0000

omg. this is so crazy. im so scared. he would be SO much better if he sang something normal. not…enka…

By: Music Video: Jero - Umiyuki « Onigiri Sensei

Music Video: Jero - Umiyuki « Onigiri Sensei — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:15:41 +0000

[...] Jero, the American enka singer we mentioned back on February 1st? The music video for his first single, Umiyuki, has since found its way onto [...]

By: Music Video: Jero - Umiyuki : Japan Probe

Music Video: Jero - Umiyuki : Japan Probe — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:33:14 +0000

[...] Jero, the American enka singer we mentioned back on February 1st? The music video for his first single, Umiyuki, has since found its way onto [...]

By: kimonorapper

kimonorapper — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:45:12 +0000

I bet people’s reaction would be different if the guy was wearing clothes that real enka singers would wear.

By: luxis

luxis — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:23:45 +0000

knowing that miserbale bunch they’d have a field day in ridiculing him

By: The Golden Rock

The Golden Rock — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:13:15 +0000

[...] Japan Probe would like to introduce you to the newest foreign-Japanese star of enka. Kiyoshi Hikawa, eat your heart [...]

By: Alec

Alec — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:13:14 +0000

Hehe. That would be so interesting!

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:01:21 +0000

He’ll put out one, maybe two CDs and they’ll sell as a gimmick, but he doesn’t have staying power because his voice isn’t “enka”. His clothes DEFINITELY aren’t enka. Not many people would buy “SMAP sing The Beatles” as a serious purchase, after all.

I appreciate that he’s trying, though, against all adversity. He might even shatter some stereotypes a few people hold.

By: Turner

Turner — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:06:48 +0000

Alan Booth would be proud.

By: klara

klara — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:37:39 +0000

it is still popular, maybe not as much as it was but it is ^^ especially among older people (i mean about 50)

By: dfjidf

dfjidf — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:18:01 +0000

heh

By: Erika

Erika — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:33:01 +0000

Awww, it’s so cute that he’s doing it for his grandma )

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:20:22 +0000

Wow! He sings very well. I enjoyed the fact that there are more and more people willing to explore different people’s culture and viceversa see people of Japan open to seeing other people become a part of their culture. Great post!

By: RYO

RYO — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:36:04 +0000

I’d love to see him audition for American Idol with those songs just to see how Simon and the other judges would react.

By: Elec

Elec — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:50:40 +0000

This is awesome, seriously. I’m always glad to see a foreigner prove that Japanese culture isn’t as inscrutable as people would have you believe.

I like the quality that his voice lends to the music. I don’t think he’s stellar, but he’s certainly different. And I don’t care how he looks.

Enka is still popular with older folks, who make up most of Japan’s population anyway.

By: df

df — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:37:29 +0000

props to him for doing his thing. shit sooner or later we might see rapping samurais in america. which i dont think will be too bad. look at wutang. haha

By: ponta

ponta — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:16:39 +0000

I don’t think Enka is popular in Japan now. But look, Akimonoto and Uzaki produced his song:They are super　hit makers. A miracle might happen.
I welcome his debut

By: Rob A

Rob A — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:16:52 +0000

I voted yes, but only because it makes me laugh hysterically. I don’t think he should be celebrated because he’s the first black singer, but because he looks so ridiculous dressed like an American hip-hop thug singing Enka.

By: marinaliteyears

marinaliteyears — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:51:25 +0000

Is Enka still popular in Japan?

By: The Overthinker

The Overthinker — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:38:16 +0000

Good voice, but not an enka voice. Too smooth. Doesn’t have that vibrato effect.

By: sireB

sireB — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:13:22 +0000

Homeboy’s voice is flat, yo.

By: Alec

Alec — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:58:54 +0000

That’s really great. I also grew up listening to some of my grandma’s enka and I like it, but not enough to become an enka singer. Hopefully this’ll also help break negative stereotypes about black people in Japan.

By: shazzb0t

shazzb0t — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:55:47 +0000

I really enjoyed this. Two thumbs up.

By: D-san

D-san — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:51:43 +0000

I’ll never judge a book by it’s cover again!