5 Years Tomorrow

I was working on a couple documents in the office, and just noticed while typing dates that tomorrow is September 11. It's a date that I know of, but because I was in China when it happened, not something I am overly sensitive to. Being in China, you're a bit sheltered from the bombardment of media from the US / North America. I read Google News often, but that's limited to the morning or night of any particular day. I don't see (or understand) the headlines when I walk past the newsstand, I don't notice the news on the TVs as I walk past the stores, and it is/was not in daily conversation when at the dinner table. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to be constantly bombarded with this information at the time while in the US. A silent moment for all that were affected.

On a happier note, Jay-Z is confirmed to perform here. I've copied the article in case the link breaks:

http://shdx.piao.com.cn/en_piao/zhongjiye.asp?952

Jay-Z Shanghai Vocal Concert
Time: 2006/10/23
Venue: Hongkou Soccer Stadium
Price: 100/300/400/500/600/800
More Info

Jay-Z was born Shawn Corey Carter, on December 4, 1969 and was raised in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, New York. During his school days, he befriended a young Christopher Wallace, who grew up to be known as the Notorious B.I.G.

Jay-Z has been the most consistent rap artist of the past five years, with platinum release after platinum release. As a hustler in his rough neighborhood, Jay-Z used his money to finance a career in music and released independent records in the late '80s. His parents were avid record collectors and Jay-Z would sit down at the dining room table as a child writing rhymes while his mother cleaned the house with the music blaring. The more time he spent on the block though, the less time he had for transcribing lyrics. As a result, Jay-Z developed a genius skill that few others could emulate, even now.

Note:Jay-Z's girlfriend Beyonce Knowles will present as an honoured guest in the show.

Remarks: Tickets are booking now!

Do people in China even know what hustler means? I wonder what went through the heads of the 50 - 60 year old cadre of censors when they reviewed Jay-Z's lyrics. Fei chang hao!

China Loves the H to the Izzo's

Jay-Z concert date set
Wu Yingying
2006-08-25
FAMOUS American rapper Jay-Z will hold his first concert in China at Hongkou Football Stadium on October 23.

Jay-Z's Shanghai stop is part of the singer's Asian tour that will also take him to Taipei and Seoul, South Korea.

His fiancee, actress and singer Beyonce Knowles, will accompany him on the tour, said Sun Yun from KS production company, the concert's promoter.

Sun said Beyonce is not scheduled to perform, but they hope to persuade her to appear on stage for a couple of tunes.

"Jay-Z's agent contacted us two months ago. And we decided to cooperate after seeing that Black Eyed Peas was a box-office success last month," said Sun, "Jay-Z is the leading trendsetter in American hiphop. He's more highly regarded than the Black Eyed Peas in the same industry."

Sun said ticket prices have not been confirmed. However, he said the lowest price will be about 100 yuan (US$12.50) and the highest no more than 1,000 yuan - roughly the same as tickets for the Black Eyed Peas.

Jay-Z was born Shawn Carter in 1969. He grew up in the Marcy projects in Brooklyn, New York.

Jay-Z has also created his own label called Roc-A-Fella Records. Some of his hit songs include "Money Ain't a Thang," "Cash, Money, Hoes," and "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me)."

"I saw the 'Deja Vu' video with his girlfriend, Beyonce. It is so hot. I hope Beyonce will be his guest performer in Shanghai," said Candy Li, 23, a hiphop music lover.