what you don't know about your bro
Ever since I've befriended Facebook, I have been ignoring MySpace, a treatment MySpace does not deserve. So instead of being a two-timer, I've decided to cancel my account with Mr Murdoch, and leave a generous good bye message: 'So long, suckers, I am moving onto Facebook!' There is, however, one friend on MySpace, who I am reluctant to erase; therefore, I am introducing him, or rather, them to the world.
In the typically hot Taiwanese summer of 2002, whilst I was busy preparing for my imminent departure to Britannia, my brother and two other lads formed a Taiwanese hip hop band called Tripoets. Like most indie groups in the making, Tripoets began with a small underground audience. Gradually the island's hip hop lovers were drawn to their unique lyrics discussing a broad range of topics, which were quite unlike the usual swearing and biatching sods. Most importantly, they don't make an effort to sound/dress like hardcore North American rappers. Their fan base grew, and they even self-recorded a limited edition album, which according to Taipei Times, was listed as one of the top ten local albums for 2004, an 'example of underground Mando-rap at its mellowest and rhythmical best'. Besides the press, I found out about Tripoet's amazing performance through this fan, and I can tell that this fan was happy when he received his precious Tripoet album, Mixtape. The group had involved in other commercial activities, too, and after signing with an agent last year, their official album and book will be out soon!
I only learnt about my brother's secret hip hop career on the Internet (thanks to my amazing Google skills); during day time he's an anthropology researcher--A-li is reserved like that. As his agent has said, my brother likes to talk about anthropology in the songs. You can read the lyrics here, or else, buy the album when it hits the shops!