Jin Tha: Is he the Next Eminem or Canibus?
By Adam Chen
Broadside Staff Writer

Through dedication and hard work, a working-class youth transcends his humble background to triumph in a medium traditionally dominated by African-Americans. His only means of respect is through freestyle hip-hop competitions, a contest similar to a lyrical boxing match, where each contestant is given a limited amount of time to deliver improvisational verses, designed to upstage and psych-out the other. In the end, he rises above the cultural differences to gain both respect and adulation from his peers. While the story may be fami
liar to those who watched the movie 8 mile, there is another artist whose real life may just be the sequel. Garnering unprecedented underground hype for a rapper virtually new to the scene, Chinese rapper Jin Tha has the lyrical skills needed to succeed at a higher level. Recently signed to the Ruff Ryders label, this artist is ready to break stereotypes and record sales. The first single on his debut album with be the song " The Rest is History". Showing an overflow of skill and charisma, many have labeled him as the next great thing.
Jin first developed an ear for Hip Hop in his early years. He cites LL Cool J’s "Momma Said Knock You Out" as his inspiration for stepping into the genre. More concerned about "rocking the latest kicks" than academic success, the artist focused his energy on refining his microphone skills above all else. Known throughout his Junior High and High School years as that "Chinese kid that be freestyling and battling all the time", he developed a reputation among his peers as a rapper that didn’t want to back down. Inspired to take the music business by the throat, the musician would move to New York to improve his chances of success.
However, the path to stardom was not always paved in gold for the young artist. Dealing with his fair share of being sold pipe dreams and false promises, Jin had to grow up quick in the cutthroat atmosphere. While doing open mic runs and competing in freestyle competitions all over the New York circuit, Jin would get his first big break and meet his mentor. Amazed by the prodigious emcee, Kamel (of Crafty Plugz) took the artist under his wing. Helping him perfect his lyrical skills and meet the right people, Jin would soon be ready for primetime.
In early 2003, Jin emerged on the national stage with his appearance on BET's 106 & park’s Freestyle Fridays. Displaying an onslaught of rhymes and acid ad-libs, the rapper would go on a warpath destroying the competition brought against him. In the coming weeks that his verbal agility would garner major accolades from artists such as Timbaland, Missy Elliot, and Wyclef Jean. After winning an unheard of seven consecutive weeks in a row, Jin was inducted into the Freestyle Friday Hall of Fame.
However, for all his fans, there are still critics. Primarily known as a rapper with strong impromptu skills, some of his strongest antagonists believe that this will hinder his song writing abilities. Not one to ignore the criticisms, he took on nay Sayers to task with the song “Oh No”. “Lose your hunger, be the one that they leave in a ditch / That's why I spit like my contract don't even exist.” He furthers his argument on the song “I Don’t Know”: “ you don’t the fact that I’m rhyming, you hate the fact you aren’t in the position I’m in…all the hatin’ you do is keeping me focused.”
Not to be outdone by other artists on the label, the Ruff Ryders and Jin has begun an import crew similar to DMX's inception of the Ruff Ryder Bike Crew. Currently, Jin is preparing for his album to be released later next month. While the movie 8 mile lit it up on the silver screen, Jin is set to make his version of the movie a reality. Over coming preconceived misconceptions and nay Sayers all his life, He is ready to meet the challenge. Indeed, Jin’s first single says it best, the rest is history.