Joy Ruckus Club, the largest Asian music festival in the world, has released its original group song "I Hate Being Hated," in a stand to bring awareness to anti-Asian Hate.
Featuring 14 artists who have previously performed at past Joy Ruckus Club music festivals, the powerful new track is produced by Asian-American artist Ben Other, who is currently based in Philadelphia. The 14-minute epic track is a mix of genres over a rather calming rhythm. Both informative and entertaining, "I Hate Being Hated" brings the listeners to the nuances of experiencing hate as well as an inclusive invitation to stand against hate and racism in all its forms.
The artists who have lent their voices in the eye-opening track include Heesun Lee (Staten Island, NY), May Cheung (Vancouver, BC), Pattie Lin (Los Angeles), Ashya (Los Angeles), Geoff Ong (Auckland, New Zealand), Koryo (College Station, TX), Sawhee (San Francisco), V8Muzik (Stockton, CA), Tealousy (Bay Area, CA), Saenabi (Peoria, IL), Hunter Dane (San Bruno, CA), Poet Initiative (London, England), C-Tru (Los Angeles), and Chow Mane (San Jose, CA).
An Eye-Opener, A Message of Hope
"Feelings of hopelessness, fear of a stranger who looks at my face and sees only danger, not a human, a disease," Saenabi, a Korean-born singer, laments in her verse, drawing from the actual experiences of Asians in today's society following the coronavirus pandemic.
Similarly, Chow Mane tries to paint the bigger picture behind anti-Asian hate through the lenses of history. "Bombed our countries, raped the women, and murdered our babies, you remember My Lai or No Gun Ri, when the US army used to kill our chinks, today the same sh*t, more sinister, less overt," the Bay Area artist narrates.
Even Geoff Ong, whose verse features Mandarin lines, opens how the anti-Asian hate extends over the oceans, even up to places like New Zealand. He asks in his part: "How does it feel to be a hated race, sometimes I'm like at least they said it to my face."
However, the song is not all fear and negativity, as other artists shine light and hope for the future of everyone, including Asians. Ashya keeps her head high, proud of her heritage despite the challenges Asians face today. She reminds everyone, "So love yourself, there's no one like you, one of a kind."
Where to Stream "I Hate Being Hated"
The song "I Hate Being Hated" originally debuted at the Joy Ruckus Club virtual fundraising event of the same name, held together with the Asian Pacific Fund initiative "Stand With Asian Americans." Interestingly enough, the event was named after the single and not the other way around.
Additionally, a remix of "I Hate Being Hated" has also been released, overlaying the original track with an oriental feel that gives a braver, fiercer feel courtesy of LA-based producer 1K.
Both the original and the remix of "I Hate Being Hated" are available on all major music platforms. Stream both of them via Spotify below:
