Chinese-American rapper Jin Au-Yeung, known as "MC Jin," plans to release his newest song, "King Kulture: Stop The Traffic" on August 27. Once a BET freestyle champion with bold lyrics, Jin has a changed heart and a new style after coming to know Jesus Christ as his Savior.
MC Jin rose to fame in the United States quickly as a Chinese-American rapper, making appearances in both American and Chinese films and television shows. He became the first Asian rapper to sign with a major record label in the country. Although it was expected that he would sell millions of copies of his first record to Chinese and American fans alike, Jin’s first album was not widely acclaimed. He soon parted ways with his record label and became very depressed over his unsuccessful debut.
Jin had responded to an altar call at a young age, but says he didn’t really have a deep-seated conviction or a relationship with Christ until now. He had gotten caught up in the hype and fame of being in the hip-hop industry and had begun to despair when his album did not do as well as everyone had expected. Through a friend, Jin later met Chinese-American pastor Jaeson Ma, who helped lead him to the Lord.
Since coming to know Christ, Jin has striven to make an impact for His Kingdom with his music. “I pray for God to use the music more in any way that He can to speak to listeners, talk to sinners' hearts, and if He can get to the point of transforming lives, praise God, that's amazing," he told the Christian Post in an interview. Jin dedicated his 2012 single, “Brand New Me” to “anyone in search of that brand new you. One that is not perfect but realizes there is a need for transformation and will spend every moment of life striving to reach that goal," he said.
MC Jin has been criticized for taking a different – namely, Christian - route with his music. He has a burden to reach the youth who are vastly influenced by the hip-hop culture - “The enemy is aware of [its influence on youth] and will use it in any way possible," said the rapper. In light of the war that is waging between darkness and believers, MC Jin urges Christians to “keep praying and use each one of our individual platforms and talents that God's given us to hopefully shift the tide."
In his newest single, “Over the Edge,” MC Jin portrays God’s faithfulness when he has felt overwhelmed by life’s circumstances. "A big part of my testimony is that through all the setbacks and discouraging turn of events that may have occurred in my life so far, there's always been someone in the form of an anchor to keep me from drifting into total despair. Be it through family or close friends, God has always shown His presence," he says.
The song was written in support of organizations that fight human trafficking in New York City. According to Traffick 911, those running the trafficking industry make $32 billion each year buying and selling people for pleasure, forcing them into sexual slavery. Ninety-nine percent of victims are never found.
The song is currently available for pre-order on iTunes.
