Owner: MoJo In China URL:http://www.mojoinchina.com Join Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 23:13:02 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Life in China as Radio DJ/MC/Translator MoJo sees it. Moved from Brooklyn, NY to Vermont to study Chinese and now resides in Shanghai living it up in the home of 1.3 million Chinese, MoJo brings you his thoughts, feelings and anecdotes on his life in Chin Site statistics:Click here
Zhengzhou 2007-05-22 04:21:20 This is Zhengzhou.So I am on an evening trip to Zhengzhou this Friday for a show (One night only, get off work-flight-food-show-sleep for four hours-flight... Such is my life.). I've never been there before, but I'm kind of looking forward to checking out Hunan, it's my first time there. Has anyone ever been there or currently lives there that could tell a bit about the city?
To the folks that listen to Soulfire... 2007-05-21 15:17:00 So today I was at work and I had a second to do one of my favorite searches on Baidu: Soulfire, 99.6. I like hearing what people have to say about the program and I found a few sites that gave us some love. So here's a bunch of roses for ya'll:谢谢你们的支持! 我继续会努力为你们服务!!The following are some sites that caught my eye. http://negiup.spaces.live.com/http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/4bb9514f010007ybAnyone else that listens, feel free to drop a line. Thanks! Read more:folks
Charity in China (CIC) 2007-05-21 01:40:59 Back to the Roots is going "Philanthropic" this SaturdayDon't let the shameless self-promotion fool you, this is still a post on CIC aka "Charity
in China
".CIC is getting really big, even the events I'm involved in are getting in on all the action. It's not hard to find some commercial for UNICEF asking to help out those "poor kids in Africa". China's got money, time and care to give and people are giving it.Remember those days when your mom told you to eat all your food from your plate cause there are "poor, starving kids in China that would kill to have your bread crumbs?" Those days are over.
Update: My Cat 2007-05-15 15:40:54 You might remember this sweet thing from this post.Muffin has given me 7 months of joy and happiness. But now, unfortunately, she's feeling a bit sick. She's got "mao wen". I can't explain this term too well in English, but it's basically the worst form of a fever for a cat. No worries, the animal hospital is downstairs from our place and she's beginning to look up!As I write this post, I realize that China's really gotten into having pets. It's a pretty cool and progressive thing to do out here. It's displays one's status (cause it costs money, time and knowledge to raise a pet) and love (Food, shelter and hugs!). From dressing them up, to styling 'em out, these pets get first class treatment. So for all ya'll that think these cats are getting eaten up and chopped up at the local Sichuan style restaurant... WRONG. They get treated better than people. (But I still worry about the street barbecues!) Read more:Update
Work Stuff (Shang Ban Zhei Dian Shi) 2007-05-14 17:18:47 Cao Qi Tai, host of "Work Stuff"There's a show I watch religiously on CBN (China Business Channel) every weeknight from 10:30-11:00PM called Shang Ban Zhei Dian Shi aka "Work Stuff". It's all about how to deal with issues is work, business and finance. Topics range from impressing your boss and how to handle your credit cards, to having foreign empolyees in China and if marriage can help or hurt your career. They go through it all and in a funny and interesting way.This show is proof positive that professionalism is taking stage in China and there is a developing middle class in first tier and second tier cities in the mainland.
The Last 3 Months 2007-05-14 07:58:40 So if you saw my last post, you can see I've been rather busy. And I have a lot more updates.. Firstly...I'M MARRIED!!Hard to belive, but yes. MoJo is now 100% taken. We haven't had a wedding ceremony yet, but we're making plans. A good wedding ain't cheap you know!My wife, Zoe is born and raised in Shanghai and we got married here in this great city. Marriage in China's pretty wild: you say your vows by the Chinese flag, you get stamped, and off you go. I call it the world's most "no fuss" marriage.Anyway, I love you, Zoe. For eveyone else... you'll hear more about us and our marriage life through the blog postings.On other things... Soulfire is really taking off. If you're ever in Hangzhou, check out our show from 9-12. I've been recording like mad these days, please support us.Speaking of Hangzhou, what a beautiful city, eh? I've been there about 4-5 times myself. I can't help but fall in love with West Lake (Xi Hu) everytime I'm there. Anyway, I better get re Read more:Months
Happy New Year! (Well, almost...) 2007-02-03 10:27:52 Happy New Year! (Chinese New Year, that is...) It's been a minute since I've updated MoJoInChina.com, but a lot of things have been happening in China and with me since I've been in the states, so let's bring it back to the China side of things...February 18, 2007 is Chinese New Year and China's Spring Festival. This year is the year of the pig. (Thank God. I am a dog and I am glad my year is almost over... Check out why.) Chinese and 老外(foreigners) will get one to four weeks off for vacation. Most head back home to see the family, other head to Hainan or Thailand or other warm destinations, spending and enjoying the fruits of another year's worth of labor.I've been up to some New Year changes as well. Firstly, I've been working on a small business helping people in Shanghai, particularly foreigners visiting or living in Shanghai called HelpInShanghai.com.Next up, I am also a Radio Station DJ for Soulfire radio, a radio station bringing Zhejiang province radio to Read more:Happy
, Happy New Year
Looking more Chinese each day? 2006-12-24 15:30:36 This is what I will look like in about 10 years.So I am home in America now. It's been great to come back home. I've been through NY, NJ, KY and GA and will soon hit up TN. Since being in all these states, I've noticed some interesting bits of culture shock I've faced returning to the US from China. Here's a list:1. There is so much space here!!2. Black hair products are easily accessible.3. I can see the sun and blue skies are real!4. Damn, noodles are way too expensive here!5. Gosh, people are actually polite in this country.6. Why do suits cost more that $100 bucks?7. Americans are still loud.8. Britney Spears has a kid??? And the news actually cares about this???9. I can FULLY understand the news!!10. People here think I look Chinese
.Yes... I'm looking Chinese to Americans. It's kind of scary, because Chinese DEF. don't see me as Chinese. I think I'm slowly morphing into the monk above.I think it's my habits, maybe its the lost weight/change in diet, or having a Chinese g
China Eastern: A Godsend 2006-12-10 09:56:50 Shanghai to NY and Back!I'm pretty happy I scored thse $500 tix to head back home. ChinaEastern
is killing it! The only problem is, their food is only so-so. I hope CE can reach the likes of Dragon Air or Cathay Pacific... But heck, direct flights from tha Shang to The Big Apple?... for cheap?... Can't beat that. Read more:Godsend
Last night's GigShanghai Video Podcast 2006-12-07 09:14:47 Yeah, that's Aric and I. (Photo courtesy of Don Yap.)So last night was GigShanghai's Giglive Video Podcast
Screening at Bonbon. Lots of successful laowai on the set, a make-up artist with all her beautifying tools, lights and cameras flashing and shining, and beer flowing throughout the room, it was an exciting evening. (But I can't belive water was 40 kuai!)Anyway, this is all a part of GigShanghai's move to the big screen and live video online, taking the bands you've heard and downloaded over the last 6 months and adding a new dimension that brings you to the scene and to the concert. A lot of GigShanghai's stuff focuses on Rock, but I was on the set last night repping hip-hop via Redstar, Dragon Dance Studio and The Lab.The interview with Aric was fun cause it's basically talking with my homie from around the way. Cool to see all the audience (I knew andmet a few folks), but I think half the people didn't really know who i was or what i do. Luckily, the DJ cut the music for
Foreigners Ride Bikes, Locals Ride Beemers 2006-12-07 08:33:11 I sat at the office of a former Middelebury College alum (Caucasian woman) today and she told me some of her Shanghai stories, One story stuck out of my mind...She's married out here with two kids and she's got one that attends a local school with the "国际班" (International Grade). She rides with her child on the back of her bicycle to take her to school, like quite a few local parents do ith their kids. You figured that's how things work in China. But think about Chinese parents riding BMW's with their kid (one-child policy, folks!) on the way to school like a luxury auto show... This IS China folks. Even Eric Clapton knows it.I wonder everyday how there are rich people in China. I feel like I see mroe Benzes and Beemers in this city than in New York with San Fransisco prices on apartments in Shanghai. Yes, this is still a developing country, but Shanghai has moved from Third World to First Class.I have a theory. I think that in the next five year
Back to the Roots V4 and Unity First 2006-12-02 04:41:35 Two big events before I leave to the states. Good to see that hip-hop in China is going strong and well. Plus, it's all local!Back to the Roots V.4 by The Lab"UnityFirst
" by Dragon Dance Studio
"Nanking" the film and Sundance MoJo 2006-12-01 07:20:02 "Nanking" made it into Sundance
... I can't believe it!!! This goes out to Iris Chang and all the Chinese that died during the massacre...Good work by all the crew... I am so happy!!!! =) =) =)See more of this on:Ted's TakeSalt Lake TribuneSpin and Stir
Ji Gong Bao, SON! 2006-11-12 06:16:47
Ji Gong Bao... Why is this stuff so damn good?China's getting a bit colder. Last week, it was about 70-something degrees and now its heading towards 40. As the chilly weather approaches, there are four ways one can make the Winter blues dissappear:1. Find a hubby to cuddle with. This ALWAYS works. In China, some pay for their hubbies, but that's not my style. Sorry.2. Hit the Fabric Market, become your own personal tailor and hook up some fresh Winter gear for the season. Prices for fabric are reasonably cheap and you can even hook up an orange coat like my man Aric did for his Halloween costume. (An ORANGE coat people! That's crazy!)3. Attend So Much Soul every Thursday. The music and people are hot, always. (What's Shanghai without shameless self-promotion?)4. Ji Gong Bao. (See above.)Ji Gong Bao is the fondue of China (next to traditional Chinese Hot Pot). What's different about Ji Gong Bao is it's a little sweeter, not so watery and is quite spicy. You get all kinds of chick
Breakdancing... in Chinese??? 2006-11-09 13:17:40 How do you say Airflare-Windmill Combo in Chinese
?So yeah, this is my latest project. Translating the entire site for 龙舞堂 aka Dragon Dance Studio. Arguably the biggest and best breakdance studio in the city. I've already translated their text mesages for their next event。Last time I did a huge translation like this, I was translating Du Mu for my fourth year project as a Chinese Major at Middlebury College.Not too many folks can do this cause besides translating the material into English, we have to make this thing sound really hip-hop. But I love the crew. This is what I've been wanting to do for a minute! Wish me luck!
Read more:Breakdancing
Migrant Bags ARE Sexy... 2006-11-08 11:55:55 One of the many reasons why I am proud to write for Shanghaiist!
----------------
Hilarious...I wonder what LV is selling their bags for... I got mine for 10 RMB ($1.25) last week. I should have bargained... And to believe that Shanghai people look down upon farmers and migrant workers...
Chivalry is not dead in China. 2006-11-07 09:10:34 It really sucks to lose your cell phone in China
, but when you lose your cell phone and people are kind enough to help you get it back, you see another side of China. Yes, people in China can still do good deeds. I just finished a business meeting with some partners of mine and I hopped into a cab to meet up with some of the folks at DJVibe.com to work on an upcoming hip-hop event in December with the Dragon Dance Studio. I hop out of the cab with the quickness. I'm not running late, but I like getting things done fast... Unfortunately, I did a sloppy job on this one, I left my cell phone in the cab.Great job, Sherlock.I'm walking up and down Huai Hai Middle Road, checking out the pavement for a little black and silver Nokia. (They make the most toughest and clearest cell phones in the world, by the way.) Anyway, I'm obvioulsy a bit frustrated and worried. All my contacts, the meeting I have to make in about 15 minutes and my alarm clock, all gone because of my absentmindedness.
Redstar is now on Myspace! 2006-11-06 08:40:01
Photo taken by Liana Chang @ Dragon Dance Studiohttp://www.myspace.com/redstarhiphop(Disclaimer: We have a few pics up, but will add more content, music and videos soon. Having some trouble adding stuff on here in China.)This is fun.
Keep Rollin' 2006-11-06 05:47:58
Zhong Yang Men on a Tuk-Tuk in Nanjing (Aric Queen in the mirror)It's Monday afternoon in Shanghai. The sun is beaming, the air is cool and seemingly unpolluted while Fall breeze calms me. This is the best time of the year to be in China.I have one more month before I head back to the States. Headed off to New York, New Jersey and Kentucky. From lots of bikes, to lots of Fords. The land where guns are banned to the country where we have the right to bear arms. This is is my pre-reverse culture shock.It's funny being in Shanghai because it is so similar to New York City and not. The Yan An Expressway reminds me of the BQE back in Brooklyn, then again, there are plenty of babies crapping and peeing out on the streets near my house. The Bund, much like Times Square, is filled with flashing neon logos with corporate slogans, but streets are named "Long Happiness" (长乐路） and Eastern Peace （东安路）. Now it's time to ge Read more:Rollin
So Much Soul (But So Little Time!) 2006-10-31 10:27:55 It's already Halloween and the day before November... Damn, time is flying!The weather here has chiled out quite a bit. I'm wearing a long sleeve dress shirt (with cufflinks, of course) and jeans and I feel quite comfy outside like this, but China weather can be pretty unpredicatble... based on my two-plus years time in this crazy country, in about two weeks, I'll have to pull out my down jacket.Double-damn...Nevertheless, I am headed home to NY/NJ and KY in December for Christmas! It's been more than a year since I've been home. Honestly, I'm a bit worried about the culture shock... Less bikes, more Fords - sneaks for five bucks turn to sneaks for 50 bucks... This is scary.But I have another month and so before that happens. For now, I got a show to promote..."So Much Soul" is my latest bread and butter project with The Lab. This one I'm promoting with local media (such as SmartShanghai.com, City Weekend and my favorite crew at Shanghaiist.com who did a fab job at las
Spooky China... (IT'S A THRILLER!!) 2006-10-30 05:32:12
October 30th, a day before the spookiest holiday of 'em all. Halloween!
Believe it or not, like Valentine's Day and Christmas, Halloween has become another "lao wai" holiday for China
with folks dressing up in Naruto outfits and Angel costumes... This is the new rage of China.
I went to a Halloween party last Saturday for Shanghaiist.com, the "other" blog I write for. Yes, Shanghaiist is a site written for an English language speaking audience, however, many locals came to the party with the foreign spirit of Halloween shaking in their bones.
Yours truly came in as the late, great Rick James... (I'm Rick James!!)
Anyway, when getting ready for Halloween, costume shopping is a must and it's only been about two years since China has truly delved into the Halloween market. Me being a businessman (and a business, MAN!!), I kept my eyes out on prices for certain Halloween goodies.
---------------------
Cape - 40 kuai ($4.50)
Wig (shoulder length) - 80 kuai ($10) (a Read more:Spooky
Many Apologies and Orphaned Kitty 2006-10-26 06:07:34 To all my readers. I apologize for not writing for a bit. Firstly, spam and porn links have been destroying my page which has cause me not to write, but thanks to Jason and Jay, I am back to normal. Thanks guys!Anyway,back to China as we know it.I found a kitty 3 days ago...Her name is Muffin and we found her outside of The Lab...Anyone in Shanghai looking for lone kitty, please let me know. She's only one month (maybe less) old. She is super-small, needs her shots and a lot of care and attention. Lost animals happen frequently in China. Animals like these need love and care. Send me a comment or check out an article on this cutie here. Thank you. Read more:Kitty
It's National Day, cover your ears. 2006-10-01 10:29:12 As if China wasn't loud enough...I woke up this morning, groggy and unaware of what's going on around me, as I always am when I wake up. I heard a faint "SHHHHHHH" and several "crackles" in the air.Yesterday was pretty rainy, so I thought a heavy rainstorm hit the mainland. I put my head back on my pillow and slept for another hour.An hour passes.............BAM!! POW!! BOOM!! CRACK!! People are screaming! Car alarms are going off! My cat Ella and my dog Parker race to my bed where I lay!Honestly, I thought somebody caught a couple bullets to the chest (Just like home sweet home...), but my China senses came back to me and I remembered that guns are illegal out here. (Illegal... doesn't mean that they don't exist out here.) Ella is having a stroke and Parker, a heartattack. I have no more space on my bed... and soon I remember...It's National
Day!!Oh boy... I know what this means: Lots o' people moving around China all at once. No space, no travel tickets for Read more:National Day
Syncity: Follow-up. 2006-10-01 09:58:16
Yum.Syncity is a cool chick. She wrote a little something on Shanghai and put up a shoutout for ya boy. MySpace is gangster. Check it out...I love it when visitors are shocked by China.Also, it's National Day here in China. Beijing is full of people... Shanghai, on the other hand, is becoming very chill. I'm loving it. China has way too many people for my taste sometimes. Agressiveness is the key to getting around in this 18 million person city. But this week, I won't have to worry about bicycles and taxi cabs aiming for this poor black man. =)In the spirit of China and its "5,000 years of history", here's a pic from the entrance of my building. I call it, "Complex Lanterns." Peace!
Finding Soul in the Big City 2006-09-27 18:23:58 Today, I stopped by GigLive (As I do almost every Wednesday night) and checked out a few live bands. The second band's music, "Georgia Sam Blues Band", really spoke to me. Besides the sound of their blues hitting my heart with waves of depth, feeling and bass, I heard their intense lyrics. Their "bluesiest" tune has this great line in it, and it goes a little something like this:"Why do the rich not rememeber what it's like to be free?"Money, power and freedom. Sounds very American to me, but then in Shanghai, the former two are the most pertinent to this city. I spoke with my boy Nathan from Gibson a(props to you for checking out my site and finding it on Google!) nd we discussed hip-hop and how its changed (in) China over the last few years. He said its developing, but it's the grafftti that's made the most change, because its so visual. Good for that form of hip-hop, but as for the music, it's still monopolized by super young, wannabe cool people t
Interview with Syncity 2006-09-19 06:13:10 It's been a long time. I've been try to chat it up with hot DJ's that would never in my life give me the time of day. =)Yeah, we are deciding on whether we are getting married in Times Square or on The Bund...Anyway... I caught up with DJ Syncity for an interview with Shanghaiist.com talking about China, Hip-Hop and life. Check it out...
Wow, I Need to Get Out West! 2006-09-08 17:32:29 create your own China mapEast is where are the more trendy costal cities are, but its more traditional in the West. Many development centers and places like that are spreading out over there. Apparently the fiurthest out west I've been to is Yunnan. It's got natural scenery, beautiful land and it's the home of my boy DJ DSK.They say that China money is made in places like Shanghai, but the future, like the San Fransisco Gold Rush of '49, lies in the west.
DJ DSK @ GoKunming.com 2006-09-04 17:26:09 Check out the interview with my boy DJ DSK @ GoKunming.com. He'll be rocking the next Back to the Roots Block Party on September 23rd at Blue Ice Club. Peace!
Guiyang: L-J's stomping ground. 2006-09-04 14:36:20 My boy L-J (see first paragraph) hooked me up with this one...Check out more pics from this trip to Guiyang with The Lab Crew, Dragon Dance Crew and Yin T'sang.'Nuff love to the doc crew for filming all the real deal local hip-hopperz!LJ, enjoy London!! Read more:ground
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