Cynthia Lin

Though Chicago-born singer/songwriter Cynthia Lin spent much of her youth on the stage - her first award-winning performance was at age six, and included a rendition of "Are you sleeping?" in Mandarin Chinese - it wasn't until her college years that she found her vocal freedom, when she discovered two very different artists: Ella Fitzgerald and Joni Mitchell. Embracing their range and agility, Cynthia learned the art of interpretation from Ella; from Joni, she learned that pop songs could be bittersweet, poetic, and emotionally complex.

Cythnia Lin - I'm Shy

Heather Park

Heather Park was discovered in a quirky New York tale, an example of life imitating art in some ways. Park worked in an NYC deli frequented by the program director of Hot 97 who eventually got her demo into the hands of producer Steve Francis of Stush Music. Influenced equally by hip-hop beats and neo-soul sirens, Parks debut album is an intimate affair as her understated cool comes across in every syllable she sings. The title track has a trip-hop twinkle and The Life is a mesmerizing statement with bits and pieces of an orchestra popping in and out. Parks personal lyrics reflect on her experiences as a Korean-American but really she just wants to find her way as a citizen of life.

Heather Park - I Miss You

Jay Legaspi

Jay Legaspi's clear-eyed, ambitious attempt to stretch the bounds of the singer/songwriter genre. Legaspi's soft-spoken tenor and gymnastic delivery bring neo-soul to the house. An avalanche of words nods to rap and spoken word performance. The acoustic, finger-style guitar work--gently percussive-dominates, touching on samba ("Time"), folk (the intro to "Try Wait"), jazz ("Not Tonight") and rock ("Ghost"). All of this in a concept album about the (tail) end of a relationship. Our hero begins ("Said/Unheard") desperately looking for reasons ("I'll just list them off/and you can say yes/or say no"). In the end ("Ghost"), he declares his independence from the relationship and everything trying to pigeonhole him ("I'm sick of having dictionary headings name my settings"). Sorry, Jay, but I'm going to pin one more label on you... an original.

Jay Legaspi - Time

Warhol Soup

Since 2005, WarholSoup been making waves not just in the local Filipino music scene, but throughout the vast and crowded local NY/NJ indie music scene. They have been featured on MTV's college network, mtvU ("Meet Or Delete", episode 2), and they are the first Filipino band to perform at the renowned NJPAC(New Jersey Performing Arts Center) while being the opening act for Filipino comedian Rex Navarette. WarholSoup has also been one of the leading front acts in New Jersey for many famous musicians from the Philippines: MYMP, Parokya Ni Edgar, Sarah Geronimo, and Bamboo. They continue to move and excite audiences with their trademark high-energy live performances, and have gained respect for their music's spiritual and positive messages of faith, love, hope, and Pinoy pride. WarholSoup is currently in the studio recording their long awaited EP. Warholsoup is yo momma's favorite soup!

Warhol Soup - Catch Me if You Can

Chosen 1

Chosen was born in 1983 and began rhyming at the age of 10. He grew up listening to a variety of music. The main influences have been AZ, Rakim, Nas, Pete Rock, Primo, and Timbaland. At the age of 15, Chosen was a part of a rap group called Nfablesyndicates recording his first album at the age of 16.Shortly after his first album was completed Chosen started working on his second album with the help of Magicman. Chosen's experience was further expanded by working with dj Slim on his latest album entitled "From Where I Left Off". He is an excellent live performer with ill lyrical skills and an excellent beat maker which all go toward making him a pleasure to work with. He is a dedicated musician currently working on new projects with 115 and his elite crew called Yellow Republic. A hard worker and always a realist, Chosen knows there is a lot more to success than talent alone. Chosen is working on his next album and also his underground cd which will feature unreleased tracks, new tracks, and freestyle sessions

Chosen 1 @ Asian Hip Hop Summit

Deep Foundation

Deep Foundation is a culmination of unique styles, backgrounds, upbringings, values and experiences, brought to life by the words of six emcees: MUG Shot, ILL Poetik, CJ, Proseed, VerbalTek and WordsArize. With assistance from Sawnd G, and the body-bending break-dance of resident B-Boy Suitkace, Deep Foundation has captivated audiences up and down the east coast. With members residing in Queens and New Jersey, the collaboration seemed unlikely at first. However, the chemistry within the group, aided by bond of friendship that most members shared prior to the groups establishment, was instant and natural.

Deep Foundation - A Place Called Home

DJ Dstrukt

LA turntablish DJ Dstrukt has quicly established his name as one of Southern Cali’s top battle DJ’s. Dstrukt represents the 38 Cal DJ crew based out of Project Blowed in South Central LA. Mixing hip hop, R&B, top 40 and reggae, Dstrukt can get the dance floor busy, or as a featured scratch artist, he can wow any hip hop audience. He has been called the most skilled and creative turntablist in the LA scene.

DJ Dstrukt at Asian Hip Hop Summit

Dumbfoundead

Dumbfoundead was never that timid asian kid who did all your homework in math class. In fact, if you were to cheat off him, you would be fucking yourself over. He was the class clown and the kid who asked for your lunch tickets so he can get a second lunch. Being exposed to hip-hop at an early age, he randomly walked into a community center in Macarthur Park when he was 14 years old, running into Los Angeles OG's such as Mark Luv (Zulu Nation), Poppin' Chuck, Cre8 (RTN), and EZ Rock (Rocksteady). this is where he started freestyling and learning the history of hip-hop. the year after, a friend from high school took him to a place called Project Blowed in South Central where he found out what DOPE really was. that night he heard some of the most amazing freestylers, rappers like Otherwize, Riddlore, Nocando, P.E.A.C.E., and many more. After ripping countless cyphers and battles he earned the respect of the OG's and became one of the "Blowdians" himself.

Dumbfoundead at Asian Hip Hop Summit

Hydroponikz

To Hydroponikz (born as Ryan Abugan), "Music is the best way to be heard and to get ideas spread all over the world. Emotions, life experiences, stories, just about anything can be told through music.", and that's exactly what Ryan has been dedicating his life to since early high school. Expressing his emotions, presence and intensity through skillfully crafted rhymes that he makes his own, Ryan is dedicated to becoming a respected emcee in the hip-hop game.

Hydroponikz - Hold My Ground

Kelly Tsai

KELLY ZEN-YIE TSAI is a Chinese Taiwanese American full-time spoken word artist, essayist, playwright, and choreographer who has been featured at over 250 performances worldwide including venues like the Nuyorican Poets Café, the House of Blues, the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and 3 seasons of the award-winning “Russell Simmons Presents HBO Def Poetry.” Originally from Chicago, now based in Brooklyn, Kelly tours the country extensively as a solo spoken word artist and previously toured with both We Got Issues! and Mango Tribe.

Kelly Tsai on Def Poetry

Koba

Koba is an inventive, irreverent and unrepentantly radical hip-hop vocalist slash producer hailing from Brooklyn, New York. For five years he entertained audiences from coast to coast as part of the Asian-American hip-hop group Kontrast, culminating with the release of their album Pencils. In an increasingly corporate and homogenous genre drowning in the illusory pursuit of bling, exaggerated portrayals of thuggery and the relegation of women to video objects, Koba is working to forge a new musical synthesis. Mixing a gritty musical gumbo consisting of the honeyed melodies of soul, the bounce of Southern hip-hop and the poetry and swaggering wit of today's best lyricists, Koba brings a vibrant sense of urgency fueled by his firmly internationalist world view. "It's not enough to live in nostalgia for the days of Public Enemy," Koba points out, "if it ain't fresh it ain't shit." In his quest for freshness Koba enlists help from Toronto-based co-producer Gamshooter of All Day Productions and the formidable DJ Boo, also of the Juggaknots, who provides the backbone to their sweat-drenched live show.

Koba - Get Over

Lyraflyp

Its ya boy Lyraflip from the infamous "Swimteam" My album is officially out...see me in the streets and get your copy! If u dont know who I am..I have won many battles and have ripped many mics on various stages...it is now time to take it to the next level....and u can help!!

Illmaculate/The Saurus vs Lyraflip/Verbs

Magnetic North

Magnetic North is the hip hop duo known for moving your body as well as your synapses. Respected nation-wide for their soul scorching lyrics and innovative melodies, Direct & Theresa Vu have turned heads from rap superstar Nelly to renowned civil rights activist Yuri Kochiyama. They released their first album in March of 2006.

Magnetic North - Drift Away

Misnomer(s)

Misnomer(S) is steadily building a diverse and devoted fanbase that crosses race, class, and age groups, having won over numerous audiences ranging from the hostile to the indifferent. Since their spontaneous formation two years ago, Knewdles and Sos have performed over fifty live shows from Philly to NYC, made national television and radio appearances, and are finishing recording their self-produced debut album. The sisters are committed to building upon their unique sound and vision, and sharing their hip hop and themselves with those who are open to good music. Look out for the debut Misnomer(S) full-length album, In The Dictionary, dropping soon, and also for their national commercial, print, and internet campaign for Converse One Star for Target, dropping in August '08. Love music, love life!

Misnomer(s) at Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival

Youthinasia

Part of a group called earth Stoner - a collective of women bringing forth a fresh blend of music and lyrics ranging from various beats influenced by Hip Hop, Urban/Soul, and Reggae. With heavenly divine voices and outstanding lyrics, this group will sure enough get your head boppin' and body movin'! EarthsTonez music brings turntablism, artists, lyricists and singers, spoken word and poetry. Prepare for the coming of a new age, tones of the Earth are resonating at high frequencies and ready to stimulate your senses!

DJ Boo

DJ Boo is a Fil-Am DJ based in NY who has rocked all over the great city. And whether he is throwing down the best in Hip-hop, Reggae and classics in NYC, or laying down instrumentals for local MC’s at “Words” at The Nuyorican Poet’s Café it can be seen that DJ Boo is steadily becoming a recognizable name in this ever growing Hip-hop scene. His skills as a DJ has given him the honor of opening up for the likes of Kool G. Rap, Wu Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, Talib Kweli and the Beat Junkies’ own DJ Shortkut. His talents are not just limited to rocking parties, for his name can also be seen alongside underground hip-hop artists like Adagio, Super Natural, ApSci (Applied Science), Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest fame, and Southern California based electro-funk artist, Uberzone. He is currently working with The Juggaknots, Koba, The Misnomers and Nomadic Wax’s Global Underground All-Stars.