While Asians occasionally break out in the American music scene, no African American in the history of Japanese enka (a style of music) has made any waves overseas. So, obviously, Pittsburgh-born enka singer Jero (born Jerome White, Jr. – save your jokes) is, like, a really big deal now.
Introduced to the Japanese folk music by his grandma, who was Japanese herself, Jero moved to Japan right after college in 2003 and started a music career. While you can’t help but giggle when you see this black guy, dressed like a b-boy, start singing Japanese slow jams, he’s actually pretty good. He’s like the Obama of Enka. Yes we can!
