View source for MC Jin

{{Short description|American rapper (born 1982)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Family name hatnote|[[Ouyang|Au-Yeung]]|lang=Chinese}} 
{{Infobox person
| name               = MC Jin
| image              = Jin the MC.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = MC Jin in 2006
| native_name        = 歐陽靖
| native_name_lang   = zh
| birth_name         = Jin Au-Yeung
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1982|6|4}}
| birth_place        = [[Miami]], [[Florida]], U.S.
| nationality        = American
| occupation         = {{hlist|Rapper|singer-songwriter|actor|comedian}}
| years_active       = 2001–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|Carol Au-Yeung|February 12, 2011}}
| children           = 2
| website            = {{URL|http://mcjin.com}}
| module             = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes
| first = t,j
| s = 欧阳靖
| t = 歐陽靖
| p = Ōuyáng Jìng
| y = Āuyèuhng Jihng
| j = au1 joeng4 zing6
}}
| module2            = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| alias = {{hlist|Jin|Jin the Emcee|Hip Hop Man|King Emojin
}}
| background = temporary
| origin = [[Queens]], [[New York City]], U.S.
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| label = {{hlist|[[Ruff Ryders Entertainment|Ruff Ryders]]|[[Virgin Records|Virgin]]|[[EMI]]|Crafty Plugz|Draft|[[Imperial Records|Imperial]]|[[Universal Music Group|UMG]]|Catch Adventures|The Great Company|RYCE Entertainment}}
}}
}}

'''Jin Au-Yeung''' ({{zh|s=欧阳靖|t=歐陽靖|p=Ōuyáng Jìng}}; born June 4, 1982), known professionally as '''MC Jin''', is an American [[rapping|rapper]], songwriter, actor and comedian of Hong Kong descent.<ref name="ajcombio">{{cite web|url=http://ayojin.com/bio/|title=Jin – Bio|access-date=2009-10-11|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925010622/http://ayojin.com/bio/|archive-date=September 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.timeout.com.hk/music/features/44116/the-changing-face-of-cantopop-mc-jin.html|title=The Changing Face of Cantopop: MC Jin|date=July 19, 2011|work=Time Out HK|access-date=February 18, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005130654/http://www.timeout.com.hk/music/features/44116/the-changing-face-of-cantopop-mc-jin.html|archive-date=October 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-02|title=MC Jin releases first stand-up comedy special "What A Time To Be Asian"|url=https://www.hopclear.com/mc-jin-releases-first-stand-up-comedy-special-what-a-time-to-be-asian/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=HOPCLEAR|language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Jin is notable for being the first [[Asian Americans|Asian American]] solo rapper to be signed to a [[Record label#Major labels|major record label]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jin tha' MC: Putting Asia on the Hip-Hop Map|url=http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/030404/music_jin_profile.html|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190949/http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/030404/music_jin_profile.html|archive-date=October 29, 2013|access-date=2008-01-27}} APAmusic (September 11, 2001). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref><ref>Malik, Anita. {{cite web|title=Jin: Freestyling to the Top|url=http://www.eastwestmagazine.com/content/view/44/40/|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417023227/http://www.eastwestmagazine.com/content/view/44/40/|archive-date=April 17, 2009|access-date=2008-01-27}} ''East West'' (December, 2004). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref>

==Early life==
Jin Au-Yeung was born on June 4, 1982, in Miami, Florida, to [[Hong Kong people|Hong Kong]] immigrants of [[Hakka people|Hakka]] descent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/iammcjin/status/1246658507618824193|title=My birthday's actually in 2 months, ahem, June 4th. At this rate, the party will probably be just me sitting in bed watching this on loop.pic.twitter.com/mAdbpy5Nwb|last=Jin|first=M. C.|date=2020-04-04|website=@iammcjin|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref name=MCJinRebranded>{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1166585/mc-jin-re-branded |title= MC Jin, re-branded |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |access-date=November 2, 2013 |first=Wing-Sze |last=Lee |date=March 3, 2013}}</ref> He was raised in the general Miami area, where his parents owned a Chinese restaurant and Jin attended [[John F. Kennedy Middle School (North Miami Beach, Florida)|John F. Kennedy Middle School]] in [[North Miami Beach]]. Jin went on to attend [[North Miami Beach Senior High School]], from which he graduated in 2000. After graduating, Jin decided to forgo college and begin his rap career.<ref>Chang, Jeff. {{cite web|url=http://www.sfbg.com/39/03/art_music_jin.html |title=Look at me: Chinese American rapper Jin attacks invisibility |access-date=2009-05-10 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022213709/http://www.sfbg.com/39/03/art_music_jin.html |archive-date=October 22, 2004 }}. ''[[San Francisco Bay Guardian]]'' (October 26, 2004). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref> Shortly afterwards, his parents closed the restaurant and the family moved in 2001 to [[Queens]], New York City.<ref name="nytimesnov2004">{{cite news|last=Coates|first=Ta-Nehisi|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/21/magazine/21JIN.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1|title=Just Another Quick-Witted, Egg-Roll-Joke-Making, Insult-Hurling Chinese-American Rapper|date=November 21, 2004|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=May 7, 2011}}</ref>

==Career==

===2001–2006: ''106 & Park'' and Ruff Ryders===
While in New York, Jin participated in many [[battle rap|rap battles]] with his peers.<ref name="nytimesnov2004" />

Jin's big break came in 2002 when the [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]] program ''[[106 & Park]]'' invited local rappers to compete in a segment known as [[Freestyle Friday]]. Unlike other competitors, Jin occasionally spoke [[Cantonese]] in his freestyle verses. After winning seven battles in a row, he was inducted into the Freestyle Friday Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kim|first=Kevin|date=December 21, 2004|title=Repping Chinatown|url=https://www.colorlines.com/articles/repping-chinatown|magazine=ColorLines|volume=7 No. 4|issue=Winter 2004–05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930132930/http://66.39.80.106/C_Lines/CLArchive/story7_4_03.html|archive-date=September 30, 2015|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> The night of the ceremony, he announced that he had signed a deal with the [[Ruff Ryders Entertainment]] label.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ruff Ryders About|url=https://ruffryders.com/about/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=ruffryders.com}}</ref>

His first single under Ruff Ryders was titled "[[Learn Chinese (song)|Learn Chinese]]" featuring Haitian rapper [[Wyclef Jean]]. It contained a sample from song "[[Black Caesar (album)|Blind Man Can See It]]", by [[James Brown]] (also sampled by [[Das EFX]] and [[Lord Finesse]]). The second single for the album was originally supposed to be "I Got a Love", featuring and produced by [[Kanye West]]. The album was originally scheduled to be released in the summer of 2003 but was delayed for over a year by the label. In October 2004, Jin released his debut album, ''[[The Rest Is History (Jin album)|The Rest Is History]]'', which reached number 54 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top 200 albums chart.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/return-mc-jin-n324236|title=The Return of MC Jin|last=Lee|first=Traci G.|date=April 9, 2015|website=NBC News|language=en|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref> The two singles, "Learn Chinese" and "Senorita", were not major mainstream successes and the album only sold 19,000 units in its first week.<ref name="MCJinRebranded" /> Jin left the label in 2006.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Return of MC Jin|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/return-mc-jin-n324236|access-date=2021-04-28|website=NBC News|date=April 10, 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

On April 23, 2005, Jin and rapper [[Serius Jones]] engaged in a rap battle. The battle was featured on Fight Klub DVD.<ref>[http://www.riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/Jin-The-Emcee/index.php Jin The Emcee : Rap, Hip-Hop Interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013151221/http://riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/Jin-The-Emcee/index.php|date=October 13, 2008}}. Riotsound.com. Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref>

On May 18, 2005, Jin revealed that he would be putting his rap career on hold in order to explore other options. To make this clear, he recorded a song titled "I Quit", produced by the Golden Child. The announcement was widely misunderstood to have marked the end of Jin's rap career. However, he later re-emerged under a different alias, The Emcee, and [[freestyle rap|freestyled]] over such songs as Jay-Z's "Dear Summer." He released a single called "[[Top 5 (Dead or Alive)]]" in which he explored the history of hip-hop's greatest artists, using lyrics. The legendary DJ [[Kool Herc]], who is credited as the founder of hip-hop, appears in Jin's music video. With independent label CraftyPlugz/Draft Records, Jin released his second album, ''[[The Emcee's Properganda]]'', on October 25, 2005.

Jin collaborated in 2005 with Queens-born rapper [[Creature (musician)|Creature]] on his song "Never Say Die," which also featured [[Slug (rapper)|Slug]] and [[Busdriver]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/10/rappers-selling-cds|title="Yo, You Like Music?" Why These New York Rappers Are Still Selling Their CDs on the Street|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=2018-11-25}}</ref>

Jin was also featured on [[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]] pop artist [[Leehom Wang]]'s 2005 album ''[[Heroes of Earth]]''. Together, Jin and Leehom performed their "Heroes of the Earth" collaboration live in [[Shanghai]] on February 16, 2006, at an event arranged by China-resident American [[A&R]] exec [[Andrew Ballen]]. Ballen was also the first promoter to bring Jin to mainland China in 2003 for his "The Rest is History" tour.<ref name="mcjin">{{cite web|url=http://sh.sohu.com/20060213/n241802168.shtml|title=MC Jin in Shanghai|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124221221/http://sh.sohu.com/20060213/n241802168.shtml|archive-date=November 24, 2011|access-date=2011-09-18}}</ref>

===2006–2007: Independent label===
Jin released two albums in 2006. The first, ''100 Grand Jin'', was a mixtape that was released on August 29, 2006. The single released from the album is "FYI", for which the rapper shot and released a music video. The second album is Jin's third LP, ''[[I Promise (album)|I Promise]]''.

On his MySpace, Jin mentioned that he was working on another English album named "Birthdays, Funerals and Things in Between". Jin premiered the song, "Open Letter to Obama," on April 24, 2007, which made him become 1st on then-Presidential nominee [[Barack Obama]]'s Top 8 list on ''MySpace''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi4tIbIcwLc jin_june 5th NYC Obama organizing speech]. YouTube (June 7, 2007). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref><ref name=":0">Staff writer. [https://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2007/04/jin-explains-barack-obama-tribute/ "Jin Explains Barack Obama Tribute"]. ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' (April 26, 2007). Retrieved on September 21, 2015.</ref>

On April 16, 2007, Jin made a tribute song to the victims of the [[Virginia Tech massacre]] called "Rain, Rain Go Away".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theemcee.com/media/music/rainraingoaway.mp3 |title=Rain, Rain Go Away |access-date=2008-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308192524/http://theemcee.com/media/music/rainraingoaway.mp3 |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }} theemcee.com. Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref> Later that year, Jin decided to make his November 2006 online album, ''I Promise'' available in retail stores; it was given an October 23, 2007, release.<ref>[http://www.ballerstatus.com/2007/10/23/jin-re-issues-2006-internet-album-to-stores/ Jin Re-Issues, 2006 Internet Album To Stores]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. ''BallerStatus.com'' (October 23, 2007). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref>

In 2006, the [[PlayStation 2]]/[[Xbox]] video game ''[[NBA Ballers: Phenom]]'' featured MC Jin as one of the [[rapper]] characters along with [[Luis Da Silva Jr.|Trikz]], [[Ludacris]] and [[Philip Champion|Hot Sauce]].

He released his first all-[[Cantonese]] language album, ''[[ABC (Jin album)|ABC]]'', in 2007.<ref name="MCJinRebranded" />

===2008–2011: Success in Hong Kong and newfound Christian faith===
In 2008, [[Universal Music Hong Kong]] flew Jin out to [[Hong Kong]] to promote the re-release of his Cantonese album ''ABC.'' In an interview, Jin commented, "I think with various artists, [[Cantonese]] [[hip hop|hip-hop]] was starting to become more and more widespread."<ref name=":3" /> ''ABC'' debuted at #1 and achieved gold status in [[Hong Kong]]. He frequently starred in commercials there and made numerous appearances on [[Television Broadcasts Limited|TVB]] like ''Big Boys Club''. He is also seen as an important part of recent Asian hip hop trends<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.populartrash.com/2012/02/13/rise-of-asian-rap-hip-hop/|title=Rise of Asian Rap and Hip Hop|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114100/http://www.populartrash.com/2012/02/13/rise-of-asian-rap-hip-hop/|archive-date=December 24, 2013|access-date=2012-02-14}}. ''PopularTrash''. Retrieved on February 14, 2012.</ref> and was once deemed "the changing face of [[Cantopop]]."<ref name=":3" />

Jin did a collaboration with [[Malaysia]]n rapper Point Blanc in a track titled "One Day" (2008).<ref name="sunm">[https://www.thesundaily.my/node/135063 "Going into rap-tures"]. ''[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]]'' (Malaysia). December 17, 2010. Retrieved on September 21, 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.materealize.com/projects.html|title=Projects|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505141038/http://www.materealize.com/projects.html|archive-date=May 5, 2010|access-date=2015-09-30}} ''Materealize''. Retrieved on September 21, 2015.</ref>

He also put the song "Welcome to the Light Club" on his Myspace page.<ref name="rzilla">[https://rapzilla.com/rz/news/38-backstage/1641-battle-rapper-jin-finds-the-light "Battle rapper Jin finds the Light"]. ''[[Rapzilla]]''. August 29, 2009</ref> Jin is a Christian, stating in his song "Welcome to the Light Club" he was baptized in 2008.<ref name="allhc">{{cite web|author=Isha "Ice" Cole |url=https://allhiphop.com/2009/09/03/jin-the-mc-becomes-christian-rapper/ |title=Jin The MC Becomes Christian Rapper |work=[[AllHipHop]] |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2011}}</ref> He has featured in [[Far East Movement]]'s "Millionaire". He has done a track over a [[DJ Premier]]-produced joint titled "World Premier". He also collaborated with producer Trendsetter (aka Mark Holiday).<ref>[https://myspace.com/markholiday Mark Holiday]. Myspace. Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref>

He has recently thrown out a Hip-Hop Census in honor of the 2010 Census and [[Chinese New Year]], 2010. As said by Jin, this mixtape is open to anybody and will be mixed from the general population along with Jin. He released a mixtape entitled "Say Something", on May 15, 2010. Jin released an album with his friend Hanjin Tan in 2010. On July 10, 2010, Jin collaborated with singer Hanjin Tan ({{zh|陳奐仁|labels=no}}) to release another Cantonese album {{lang|zh-Hant-HK|買一送一}} (Buy one get one free).<ref>Gonzalez, Miguel, Jr. (September 1, 2010). [https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/09/01/chinese-american-rapper-mc-jin-discovers-god-cantonese/ "Chinese-American Rapper MC Jin Discovers God, Cantonese"]. ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''. Retrieved on September 30, 2015.</ref> Jin also released a music video for his English single "Angels".

During his time in Hong Kong, Jin has appeared in films such as [[Gallants (film)|''Gallants'']] and ''[[Bruce Lee, My Brother]]''.<ref name="MCJinRebranded" />

In December, 2010, Jin released a Christmas music video entitled "Rap Now, 2010" with [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Hong Kong Chief Executive]], [[Donald Tsang]]. The video, with lyrics penned by Jin, featured a number of lines ending with "[[Act Now (slogan)|Act Now!]]" ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|起錨}}), echoing a Hong Kong government slogan. It garnered in excess of nine million views on the CE office's YouTube channel.<ref>{{citation|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/gangao/2010-12/20/c_12897944.htm|date=December 20, 2010|access-date=September 17, 2011|periodical=Xinhua News|title=曾荫权拍MV贺新年活力四射 手舞足蹈唱Rap|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223061758/http://news.xinhuanet.com/gangao/2010-12/20/c_12897944.htm|archive-date=December 23, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> A [[CNN]] report described the video as an "official eyesore" and "a political message thinly veiled as a Christmas card," and further criticized Jin's rapping as resembling "awkward nursery rhymes," in contrast to his earlier performances.<ref name=":5">{{citation|url=http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/life/top-7-most-memorable-government-commercials-956403|periodical=CNNGo|title=Donald Tsang's hip hop Christmas greeting and other official eyesores of, 2010|date=December 20, 2010|access-date=September 11, 2011}}</ref> However, local newspaper ''[[The Standard (Hong Kong)|The Standard]]'', in response to critics, stated in an editorial that "Tsang, like the millions who post videos of themselves or their loved ones, only wants to have fun."<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=21&art_id=106197&sid=30685177&con_type=1&d_str=20101220&fc=2|periodical=The Standard|date=December 20, 2010|title=Tsang video critics may be off-key|access-date=September 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019072520/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=21&art_id=106197&sid=30685177&con_type=1&d_str=20101220&fc=2|archive-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref>

On March 7, 2011, Jin released a music video for a song from his upcoming English album entitled "Charlie Sheen," collaborating with artists [[Dumbfoundead]] and [[Traphik]]. Jin released an EP titled ''Sincerely Yours'', a Christian-oriented and self-improvement-oriented EP featuring positive messages about life and self-reflective insights into his own life. After the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]], Jin participated in the ''[[Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders]]'' celebrity charity concert on April 1, 2011, to help raise funds for Japan's disaster recovery effort.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/video/2011-03/25/c_13798190.htm Jackie Chan and HK celebrities to raise funds for quake victims in Japan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102124302/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/video/2011-03/25/c_13798190.htm|date=January 2, 2012}}. ''[[Xinhua News]]'' (March 25, 2011). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref> The 3-hour event raised over HK$26 million (USD$3.3 million).<ref>{{cite news|last=Chu|first=Karen|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jackie-chan-raises-33-million-174410|title=Jackie Chan Raises $3.3&nbsp;Million in Three Hours for Japan Relief (Exclusive)|date=April 4, 2011|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 22, 2015}}</ref>

On May 16, 2011, Jin released the track "AIYA" featuring label-mate, Toestah. On August 8, 2011, Jin released his second Cantonese album, {{lang|yue|回香靖}} (Homecoming), in Hong Kong.<ref name="MCJinRebranded" />

=== 2012–2017: Return to the United States ===
In 2012, Jin announced that he was moving back to the United States to raise his son with his wife in New York.<ref name=":1" />

In February 2012, Jin released a re-vamped version of his EP, ''Sincerely Yours 2.0'', featuring some of the same lyrics, but many others changed, slightly altering the overall feel of the record. In August 2012, Jin released his English album, "Crazy Love Ridiculous Faith", for free download, an album in which he positively addresses both Christians and non-Christians. In December 2012, Jin released the [[Brand New Me (EP)|''Brand New Me'']] EP.

In late 2013, Jin collaborated with independent label, The Great Company. The first track released on the label was called "Hypocrite (The Gold Chapter)." On December 21, 2013, Jin released the first EP under the label called "Hypocrite."{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

On October 21, 2014, the label released Jin's first album under their label: ''XIV:LIX'', which is "14:59" in [[Roman numerals]] and a reference to the concept of [[15 minutes of fame]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>Martin, Asia (November 5, 2014). [http://pop-break.com/2014/11/05/album-review-mc-jin/ "Album Review: MC Jin Track-By-Track Review of XIV: LIX"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001150535/http://pop-break.com/2014/11/05/album-review-mc-jin/|date=October 1, 2015}}. ''[[Pop-Break]]''. Retrieved on September 29, 2015.</ref> The album features Teesa, Hollis, Stacie Bollman, [[Tim Be Told]], Bére, and Storm.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} The album was not a commercial success.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/mc-jin-returns|title=The Surprising Return of MC Jin|last=Wong|first=Alex|date=October 11, 2016|website=GQ|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref>

Jin began performing [[stand-up comedy]] in New York City in 2015.<ref name=":2" />

===2017–present: Success in mainland China===
In 2017, he competed in the Chinese rap competition show, ''[[The Rap of China]]'', in a masked attire, under the alias of "HipHopMan."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.szdaily.com/content/2017-11/21/content_17801673.htm|title=Here comes MC Jin|date=2017-11-21|website=www.szdaily.com|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref>

Jin has since released several songs in Mandarin, including "Zero", a promotional song for the 2017 movie [[The Foreigner (2017 film)|''The Foreigner'']] starring Hong Kong actor [[Jackie Chan]], who considers Jin to be his friend.<ref>{{Citation|title=THE FOREIGNER - Official Chinese rap song "Zero" by MC Jin (MV)| date=September 18, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTniRbG2wq4|language=en|access-date=2021-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Part 2: Jackie Chan talks new film, The Foreigner + Senseless Violence in the World| date=October 12, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbe-lLYZjCQ|language=en|access-date=2021-03-29}}</ref>

In 2021, he joined the cast of ''[[Call Me by Fire]]'' as a contestant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dramapanda.com/2021/08/call-me-by-fire-the-male-equivalent-of-sisters-who-make-waves-offers-fans-throwbacks-to-meteor-garden-and-more.html|title = "Call Me by Fire", the Male Equivalent of "Sisters Who Make Waves" Offers Fans Throwbacks to "Meteor Garden" and More|date = August 13, 2021}}</ref> He was eliminated in episode 5, only to return later in episode 6, following fellow contestant [[Henry Huo|Henry Huo Zun]]'s withdrawal from the show in light of recent controversies.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

==Personal life==
Jin married his wife Carol on February 12, 2011, in [[Puerto Rico]]. The couple met at a concert at where Jin was performing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hongkongmorning.com/mc-jin-holds-his-wedding-in-puerto-rico.html|title=MC Jin holds his wedding in Puerto Rico|date=March 18, 2011|website=Hong Kong TVB Entertainment Daily News|publisher=[[Mingpao]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818010341/http://hongkongmorning.com/mc-jin-holds-his-wedding-in-puerto-rico.html|archive-date=August 18, 2011|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> They have two sons: Chance (born 2012)<ref name=":3" /> and Justus (born 2019).<ref>[https://sg.style.yahoo.com/mc-jin-announces-birth-second-062600613.html "MC Jin announces the birth of second child"]. ''Yahoo!''. April 28, 2019.</ref>

Jin became a [[Born again|born again Christian]] in 2008.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://world.wng.org/2013/03/rapper_rebirth|title=Rapper rebirth|last=Fulton|first=Angela Lu|date=March 8, 2013|website=[[World (magazine)|World]]|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> He was converted by Chinese American pastor [[Jaeson Ma]].<ref name="MCJinRebranded" /> He has since released several [[Gospel music|gospel]] themed projects expressing his faith.<ref name=":4" />

During the [[2008 United States presidential election]], Jin expressed his support for [[Barack Obama]]. Proceeds from his song "Open Letter to Obama" were donated to Obama's campaign.<ref name=":0" /> In 2019, he announced on Twitter that he was officially endorsing presidential candidate [[Andrew Yang]] in the [[2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries]]. He has released two songs supporting Yang: "Drew Yang Gang, That's Who I Hooked Up Wit'" and "#8MileYang".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiichina.com/mc-jin-drops-yang-gang-diss-track-against-the-entire-institution-of-us-presidential-election/|title=MC Jin Drops "Yang Gang" Dis Track Against the Entire Institution of US Presidential Election|last=Kohnhorst|first=Adan|date=2019-09-23|website=Radii|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> Jin also toured with Andrew Yang's campaign events.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} In April 2021, he released “Yang for New York,” a song and video in support of Andrew Yang’s run for mayor of New York City. The three-minute video features such lyrics as “Everyone — white, brown, yellow and black / It’s time to come together, what’s ironic is that / NY forward will bring New York Back.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Natalie|date=2021-04-01|title=Andrew Yang releases rap video as NYC Mayoral campaign commercial — New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2021/04/01/andrew-yang-releases-rap-video-for-nyc-mayoral-campaign/|access-date=2021-04-02|website=[[New York Post]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Catchphrases and fan culture==
Jin's catchphrase is "Aiya!"<ref name=":3" /> ({{lang|yue|哎吔}}), a [[Chinese language|Chinese]] interjection roughly equivalent to "Oh my gosh!"{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}. Fans pictured with the logo were able to appear in the music video for his song "Aiya!" (featuring Toestah).<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhR27kTWiso Jin-Aiya (featuring Toestah) MV]. YouTube</ref> Jin also refers to his fans as his "AIYAfambam".{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

After his success and popularity on the Rap of China, Jin gained widespread respect and popularity throughout China, and also with the Chinese people worldwide. A China fanbase is secure with an official account on Weibo "MCJin欧阳靖全国粉丝后援会" <ref>{{cite web |title=MCJin欧阳靖全国粉丝后援会 |url=https://weibo.com/u/6321694059 |website=Weibo}}</ref> on August 12, 2017. Jin then officially named his Chinese fans "不帥團隊"<ref>{{cite web |title=不帅团队 |url=https://weibo.com/u/6299573351 |website=Weibo}}</ref> (Team Bu-shuai), a name which he came up with due to the focus on looks-oriented artists. Bu-Shuai means 'not handsome' in Mandarin, and Jin joked with his fans that although he is not handsome as compared to many artists, he is proud to be so as he is secure in himself as an 'un-handsome'. The official slogan for Team Bu-shuai is "生活愉快、越來不帥", which means to live joyfully and become more and more 'un-handsome'. A series of official Team Bu=shuai merchandise such as tees, hoodies, windbreakers, and caps donning the slogan and team name (designed by Jin) is also available on Taobao.<ref>{{cite web |title=SOUNDSGOOD |url=https://sounds-good.taobao.com/?spm=a1z10.1-c.0.0.6a271e9aisxHR3 |website=Taobao}}</ref> Jin also released the song "不帥"<ref>{{cite web |title=不帥 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNYrz8KBNJ4 |website=Youtube}}</ref> with an official music video made by him and Team Bu-shuai. The song talks about the special relationship between Jin and his beloved Team Bu-Shuai, promoting the slogan "生活愉快、越來不帥". The fanbase 'Team Bu-shuai' has an official account on Weibo,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://weibo.com/u/6299573351|title=不帥團隊|website=Weibo}}</ref> with over 55,000 followers. Jin actively interacts with its members online, and is known to sometimes arrange to meet them in different cities for movies and coffees offline.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

Members of Jin's fan club on Twitter are known as Emojins.<ref>{{cite web |author=MC Jin |title=Dear emojins |url=https://twitter.com/iammcjin/status/983542349996244993 |website=Twitter}}</ref> He referenced them in his 2018 song 'Debut': "Shout out to the emojins, and the emojins only."<ref>{{cite web |author=MC Jin |title = - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOjR0mqVMqg |website=Youtube}}</ref>
 
==Discography==
{{Main|Jin discography}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Studio albums and major releases===
*''[[The Rest Is History (Jin album)|The Rest Is History]] (2004)''
*''[[The Emcee's Properganda]] (2005)''
*''100 Grand Jin (2006)''
*''[[I Promise (album)|I Promise]] (2006)''
*''[[ABC (Jin album)|ABC]] (2007)''
*''Say Something (2010)''
*{{lang|yue|回香靖}} (Homecoming) (2011)
*''Crazy Love Ridiculous Faith (2012)''
*''XIV:LIX (2014)''
*''Nobody's Listening (2017)''
*''Roller Coaster (2024)''

===Collaboration albums===
*{{lang|zh-Hant-HK|買一送一}} (With {{zh|陳奐仁|labels=no}} aka Hanjin)

===EPs===
*''Sincerely Yours EP''
**Released: May 2011
**Label: [[Carl Choi|Catch Music Group]]
*''Sincerely Yours 2.0''
**Released: February 2012
**Label: Catch Music Group
*''[[Brand New Me EP]]''
**Released: 12 December 2012
**Label: Catch Music Group
*''Hypocrite''
**Released: 10 December 2013
**Label: The Great Company

{{col-2}}

===Songs in===
*''[[2 Fast 2 Furious (soundtrack)|2 Fast 2 Furious]]''
**(''[[2 Fast 2 Furious]]'' soundtrack)
**Songs Included: "Peel Off"
**Released: 27 May 2003
**Label: [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]], [[Disturbing tha Peace|DTP]]
**Chart positions: 5
*''[[The Redemption Vol. 4]]''
**([[Ruff Ryders Entertainment|Ruff Ryders]] Artists Album)
**Songs Included: "Aim 4 The Head"<small>(with [[Cassidy (rapper)|Cassidy]] and [[J-Hood]])</small>
**Released: 22 June 2005
**Label: [[Ruff Ryders]]/[[Artemis Records|Artemis]]
**Chart positions: 40
*''[[NBA Ballers: Phenom (soundtrack)|NBA Ballers: Phenom]]''
**([[NBA Ballers: Phenom]] soundtrack)
**Songs Included: "Choices"
**Released: Mar 29 2006
**Label: [[Midway (record label)|Midway]]
**Chart positions: N/A
*''[[Fast & Furious 6 (soundtrack)|Fast & Furious 6]]''
**(''[[Fast & Furious 6]]'' soundtrack)
**Songs Included: "HK Superstar"
**Released: 17 May 2013 (iTunes); 21 May 2013 (CD)
**Label: [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
**Chart positions: NA
{{col-end}}

==Music videos==
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Year
! Video
! Director
! Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| "[[Learn Chinese (song)|Learn Chinese]]" (featuring [[Wyclef Jean]])
| 
| 
|-
| "Senorita" YouTube
| 
| 
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| "Top 5 (Dead or Alive)"
| [[Todd Angkasuwan]]
| Uses a collection of people voting for their top 5 rappers.
|-
| "Come Closer (Kohl Aaja)" (with [[Juggy D]])
| 
| 
|-
| 2006
| "FYI"(featuring Young Mac)/"100 Grand Jin"
| [[Todd Angkasuwan]]
| Two songs.
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| "Yo Yo Ma" (with Sphere)
| 
| Contains a mix of languages including [[English Language|English]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]] and [[Cantonese]].
|-
| "ABC"
| [[Todd Angkasuwan]]
| [[Cantonese]]. Contains a short appearance of the producers of the song, [[Far East Movement]].
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2008
| "搵兩餐"(featuring [[Ken Oak Band|Ken Oak]])
| Daniel Wu / [[Jason Tobin]]
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "飲啖茶"
| [[Evan Jackson Leong]]
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "香港Superstar"
| [[Jason Tobin]]
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "上堂時間"
| 
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "喂喂搵邊位"
| Kim Chan
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2010
| "Angels"
| Hosanna Wong
| 
|-
| "The A List"
| [[Carl Choi]]/Jin Au-Yeung
| Deleted from YouTube.
|-
| "711" (featuring KT)
| 
| [[Cantonese]]. Filmed in [[7-Eleven]].
|-
| "It's About Time"
| 
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| rowspan="8" | 2011
| "Charlie Sheen" (with [[Traphik]] & [[Dumbfoundead]])
| Kevin Boston
| 
|-
| "人氣急升"
| Kevin Boston
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "Aiya!" (featuring Toestah)
| 
| Song repeated twice to fit all pictures in.
|-
| "Shoot for the Moon"
| [[Carl Choi]]
| Song edited for video. Uses various images and video from his life and career.
|-
| "發咗達"
| Benny Lou
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "立立亂"
| [[Evan Jackson Leong]]
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "紅館見"
| 
| [[Cantonese]]
|-
| "When The Lights Come On" (featuring [[Joseph Vincent]])
| Duno Tran
| 
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2012
| "率性" (with KT & Kiki Tam)
| 
| Cantonese
|-
| "[[Brand New Me EP]]"
| [[Todd Angkasuwan]]
| 
|-
| "Open Arms"
| Brian Tang (StopMotionClub Productions)
| 
|-
| 2013
| "Feel Good" (with Toestah & [[Joseph Vincent]])
| Simon Yin
| 
|-
| 2013
| "I Break Stereotypes" (with HeeSun Lee )
| 
| 
|-
| 2014
| "Complicated"
| Brad Wong
| 
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| "Hip Hop Man"
| 
| Mandarin
|-
| "Zero"
| 
| English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Official song for the 2017 movie ''[[The Foreigner (2017 film)|The Foreigner]]''.
|-
| 2019
| "第一对手" {{Small|with [[Jeremy Lin]]}}
| 
| Mandarin
|}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" style=" font-size: 90%;"
! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" |Film
|-
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
| rowspan=2| 2003
| ''Jin: The Making of a Rap Star''
| Himself
| Documentary about him
|-
|''[[2 Fast 2 Furious]]''
| Jimmy
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2005
| ''The MC: Why We Do It''
| Himself
| Documentary
|-
| ''The Art of 16 Bars: Get Ya' Bars Up''
| Himself
| Documentary<br />Volume 2 of ''The MC: Why We Do It''
|-
| ''Live from New York''
| Himself
| Documentary<br />Footage filmed in 2002
|-
| rowspan=2| 2007
| ''[[Beef IV]]''
| Himself
| 
|-
| ''[[No Sleep Til Shanghai]]''
| Himself
| Documentary about him
|-
| 2009
| ''Split Second Murders'' 死神傻了
| Chief Editor Chan
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2010
| ''[[Gallants (film)|Gallants]]''
| Chung Sang-mang
| 
|-
| ''[[Bruce Lee, My Brother]]'' (aka: ''[[Bruce Lee, My Brother|Young Bruce Lee]]'')
| [[Unicorn Chan]]
| 
|-
| ''[[1040 Movie|1040]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://1040movie.com/1040-the-movie |title=1040 |access-date=2013-01-27 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304071621/http://1040movie.com/1040-the-movie |archive-date=March 4, 2012 }}</ref>
| Himself
| Documentary
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Turning Point 2]]''
| Yeung Lap-chin
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[The Man with the Iron Fists]]''
| Chan
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Revenge of the Green Dragons]]''
| Detective Tang
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2016
| ''[[Buddy Cops]]''
| Drug squad guy
|
|-
| ''[[New York New York (2016 film)|New York New York]]''
| Chinatown gangster boss
|
|-
|[[Bad Rap (film)|''Bad Rap'']]
|Himself
|Documentary<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pacificties.org/bad-rap-documentary-about-asian-american-rappers-to-premiere-at-the-2016-tribeca-film-festival-los-angeles-asian-pacific-film-festival/|title=Bad Rap, documentary about Asian American rappers, to premiere at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival|last=Lee|first=Vivian|date=April 18, 2016|website=Pacific Ties|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref>
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Love Beats Rhymes]]''
| MC Jin
|
|-
| rowspan=2| 2018
| ''A Beautiful Moment'' 
|
|
|-
| ''Bodies at Rest''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2019
|''The White Storm 2: Drug Lords''
| Cho Ping
|
|-
|''The Fake vs. Real Monkey King''
|
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Monster Hunter (film)|Monster Hunter]]''
| Axe
|
|-
| TBA
| ''Street Struck: The Big L Story''
| Himself
| Documentary
|- 
!colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;"|Television
|-
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
| 2002
| rowspan=2| ''[[106 & Park]]''
| Himself (as a Competitor and Guest)
| As ''[[Freestyle Friday]]'' competitor and guest
|-
| 2004
| Himself (as a Judge)
| As ''[[Freestyle Friday]]'' Judge
|-
| 2009
| ''Cooking 媽嫲''
| Himself (as Host)
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2010
| ''[[Show Me the Happy]]''
| Himself
| Episode 25
|-
| ''[[Jade Solid Gold]]''
| Himself (as Host)
|
|-
| rowspan=2| ''[[Big Boys Club]]''
| Himself (as Host)
|
|-
| rowspan=6| 2011
| Himself (as Host)
|
|-
| ''Stairway to Dragon''
| Himself (as Host)
|
|-
| ''[[Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir!]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| ''[[Lives of Omission]]''
| Officer Yeung Lap-ching
|
|-
| ''Kung Fu Supernova''
| Himself (as Host)
|
|-
| ''Top Eats 100''
| Himself (as Host)
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Highs and Lows]]''
| Ng Dak-tim (Saadaam Tim)
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[The Ultimate Addiction]]''
| Chu Kwok-leung
|
|-
| rowspan=2| 2018
| ''[[Idol Producer]]''
| Himself (as rap mentor)
|
|-
| ''[[Guardian Angel 2018 Web Drama]]''
| Rex
| Appears in episode 22-24
|-
|2020-2021
|[[Wild 'n Out]]
|Himself (as a cast member)
|
|-
|2021
|Call Me By Fire
|Contestant on Game Show
|
|}

===Awards===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Acting Awards<ref>[http://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=35626&display_set=eng MC Jin at hkmdb.com]</ref><ref>[http://chinesemov.com/actors/MC-Jin.html MC Jin at chinesemov.com]</ref>
!Year
!Award
!Nominated work
!Result
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=2| 2011
| [[TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste]]<ref>[http://www.jaynestars.com/news/nomination-list-for-2011-tvb-anniversary-awards/ TVB awards list]. Jaynestars.com. Retrieved on 25 November 2011.</ref>
| ''[[Show Me the Happy]]'', ''Big Boys Club'', ''Stairway to Dragon'', ''[[Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir!]]'', ''[[Lives of Omission]]'', ''Kung Fu Supernova'', ''Top Eats 100''
| {{won}}
|
|-
| [[TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character]]
| ''[[Lives of Omission]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|}

==Rap battles==
{{Incomplete list|date=March 2012}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Competition/Event
!Opponent
!Result
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|2000
|rowspan=3| Grab the Mic 2000
| Montu
| Win
|
|-
| Infinite
| Win
|
|-
| RK
| Win
|
|-
|rowspan=10|2001
| Blade Battle
| Parable, OBCT
| Win
| Three way battle
|-
|rowspan=4| Hookt
| Awar
| Win
|
|-
| Stereotype
| Win
|
|-
| ManyStyles
| Win
|
|-
| Lu Cipher
| Win
|
|-
|rowspan=3| Four Corners
| [[PackFM]]
| Win
|
|-
| [[Icon the Mic King]]
| Win
|
|-
| Perfecto
| Win
|
|-
| Super Bowl 2001
| [[7L & Esoteric|Esoteric]]
| Loss
|
|-
| [[Scribble Jam|Scribble Jam '01]] 
| Alias
| Loss
|
|-
|rowspan=7|2002
|rowspan=7|[[106 & Park]]'s [[Freestyle Friday]]
| Hasan
| Win
| as the challenger
|-
| Sterling
| Win
| as the champion
|-
| Skitzo
| Win
| as the champion
|-
| [[Skyzoo]]
| Win
| as the champion
|-
| Lucky Luciano
| Win
| as the champion
|-
| Logan
| Win
| as the champion
|-
| Sean Nicholas
| Win
| as the champion – inducted into the Hall of Fame
|-
|rowspan="4"|2004
| Javits Center
| Kamikaze Grey
| Win
|
|-
| Fight Klub Mixshow Power Summit
| Wreckonize
| Win
|
|-
| Fight Klub Mixshow Power Summit
| Shells
| Win
| Won final prize of $50,000
|-
| JUMP OFF/Jin's 'The Rest Is History' Concert
| Saint
| N/A
|
|-
|rowspan="7"|2005
| JUMP OFF
| [[Professor Green]]
| Win
|
|-
| Hot Import Nights Los Angeles
| Speakz
| N/A
|
|-
| Hot Import Nights San Mateo
| [[Mistah F.A.B.]]
| Win
|
|-
| Smack DVD
| Verse
| Win
|
|-
| Fight Klub
| Streetz The Block
| Win
|
|-
| Fight Klub
| [[Serius Jones]]
| Loss
|
|-
| Fight Klub Mixshow Power Summit
| [[Professor Green]]
| Win
| Won final prize of $50,000
|-
||2006
| San Francisco Bay Festival
| Arukasaki
| Win
|
|-
||2007
| Fight Klub
| [[Iron Solomon]]
| Loss
|
|-
||2015
| [[Epic Rap Battles of History]]
| [[Nice Peter]], [[EpicLLOYD]], [[Zach Sherwin]], [[KRNFX]], [[Timothy DeLaGhetto]]
| Unknown
| Plays as [[Confucius]] alongside other philosophers in a 3v3 battle which devolves into a free-for-all
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[Asian rapper]]
* [[Chinese people in New York City]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal | journal = Proceedings of the 20th North American Conference on Chinese Linguistics | last=Jay | first=Jennifer W | year=2008 | title=Rapper Jin's (歐陽靖) ABC: Acquiring spoken Cantonese and transnational identity through restaurant culture and Hong Kong TV | pages = 379–391 | url=https://naccl.osu.edu/sites/naccl.osu.edu/files/20_jay-j.pdf}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140517201428/http://mcjin.com/ Official Website]
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://ayojin.wordpress.com |date=* |title=Old Website }}
* [http://www.rapgrid.com/rappers/jin Jin battle rap profile on Rap Grid]
* {{IMDb name|1266102|Jin}}
* {{YouTube|user = Mcjin|Jin&thinsp;(English)}}
* {{YouTube|user = AyoJinHK|Jin&thinsp;(Cantonese)}}
* {{YouTube|user = AyoJinTV|Jin&thinsp;(English) – old)}}

{{Jin}}
{{Most Improved Male TVB Awards}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jin, MC}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
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[[Category:American male film actors]]
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[[Category:American rappers of East Asian descent]]
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