Donald Trump may be attempting to agitate a trade war with China, but there can be no restrictions on the cross-border flow of hip-hop culture.
This is evident by the rise of Chinese hip-hop group The Higher Brothers.
The group has blown up thanks to singles like “Bitch Don’t Kill My Dab,” and “WeChat,” both from their new album Black Cab.
But The Higher Brothers are also controversial in China, where music and most media is heavily censored by the authorities.
Group members MasiWei, DZ, PSY and Melo sat down with Paper Magazine, and revealed their influences all hailed from the United States.
“50 Cent is my biggest influence. After watching get ‘Rich or Die Trying’ in middle school, I started looking for more hip-hop music,” MasiWei said. “It eventually inspired me to make my first demo.”
Other group members cited Kendrick Lamar, Migos and J. Cole as their driving influences.
Thanks to their viral songs and collaborations with American artists like Famous Dex and South Korean rapper Keith Ape, The Higher Brothers are finally getting their just due outside of America.
And no matter what trade policy Donald Trump decides to roll with when it comes to trade with China, there is nothing he can do to stifle the booming business of hip-hop around the globe.
“Nothing can stop good rap from becoming popular. Good stuff is good stuff,” group member Melo said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNkOr9lTbbA
