Jin

From the Ruff Ryders camp — home to Eve, DMX and the Lox — comes Jin, the first Asian-American signed to a major label. Jin has been making steady moves since he got his start on BET's 106 & Park, winning seven freestyle competitions in a row. The Rest Is History encompasses all the rap elements from the point of view of a 20-year-old kid who grew up in Miami and worked in his parents' Chinese restaurant. Jin tells stories about life, love, the rap game and racial stereotypes. He doesn't boast or brag about cars, guns, bling or women he's had — instead he admits not growing up in the hood or leading a thug lifestyle. "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" is an example of Jin spreading his storytelling technique about the ills of money and drugs and guns; "C'mon" is Jin straight-up talking about the struggles he's faced being an Asian MC; and in "Same Cry," he raps about the problems his people have faced with population overgrowth, politics, sweat shops and war. But Jin doesn't just represent the Asian massive — he relates on so many levels, with tracks like "Love Story," featuring Kanye West, and even some comedy in the parody "Club Song." The beats are provided by various producers — like Wyclef Jean on "Learn Chinese" (which has the sick Das Efx "We Want Efx" sample) — as well as Swizz Beats and Kanye. Jin is "history" in the making and it'll be interesting to see how the "rest" pans out for this talented Asian sensation.