Eastern Conference All-Stars: 8 Pioneers In Asian American Hip-Hop

With Far East Movement's "Like A G6" hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, we're paying homage to some other major milestones in the rise of the Asian rapper.

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Image via Complex Original
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Don't look now but Far East Movement's "Like A G6" is currently sitting pretty at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In other words, Far East Movement has become the first all-Asian American rap group to score a legitimate smash hit. Everyone knows hip-hop was created and is dominated by African-Americans—and there are quite a number of white rappers to boot. Although Asian DJs pretty much run the entire turntable scene and there are more Asian rappers than you might think, only a handful have truly made an impact on a mainstream level in the States. So in honor of Far East Movement's milestone and the fact that their debut album, Free Wired, dropped yesterday, we put together Eastern Conference All-Stars: Great Moments In Asian American Hip-Hop.

Fresh Kid Ice

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MILESTONE: First Asian-American Rapper...Ever!


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Lin Que

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MILESTONE: First Female Asian-American Rapper.


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Lyrics Born (of Latyrx)

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MILESTONE: First Asian-American Rapper To Have An Underground Following.


Complex says:The Album

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Mountain Brothers

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MILESTONE: First All-Asian-American Group To Sign With A Major Label.


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Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park)

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MILESTONE: First Asian-American Rapper To Have A No. 1 Album.


Complex says:Hybrid TheoryMeteora

Jin

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MILESTONE: First Asian-American Rapper To Sign A Solo Major Label Deal.


Complex says:106 and ParkThe New York Times

Southstar (of Smilez and Southstar)

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MILESTONE: First Asian-American One-Hit Wonder.


Complex says:106 and Park

apl.de.ap (of The Black Eyed Peas)

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MILESTONE: First Asian-American Rapper To Have a No. 1 Pop Hit.


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