AJ Rafael
AJ Rafael-- yet another of the musical pioneers of the Asian American community on Youtube and even before that, on Myspace. For some, he's been in their lives since the Internet was used with dial-up. For me, I've been listening to his music since I knew what the Internet was. It's the same for many other Asian Americans in the world that finally see someone that looks like them, performing in the media. He began his musical career after playing piano at church after his father passed away. After that moment, he knew that music would be one of the biggest components o his life. He wrong his first song in 2004 and shortly after, he started performing in his hometown and in local cities in order to familiarize himself with the music industry. Then in 2005 he released his first album. In 2006, he showed up in homes around the world with the help of Myspace. He showcased his music to family, friends, and fans that he didn't even know the faces of. He now performs nationally and internationally.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NiGvcPXBw0)
AJ Rafael has become one of the top musicians within the Youtube world. AJ became has over 400,000 Youtube subscribers, has reached 90 million views on YouTube, over 200,000 Facebook fans, 11 million plays on MySpace, and 129,000 followers on Twitter. AJ has frequently landed in the Top 20 on Billboard’s “Uncharted” Chart, since January 2011. His 2011 album, Red Roses, reached the Top Ten pop albums in Itunes. His success was funded by his fans solely. He began a Kickstarter in which his fans can donate money towards his album production costs. Though he was hesitant to ask for money from his fans, his financial goals were surpassed after the first day of donations. Together he raised $11,000 and that was more than enough to cover the production of his album. His loyal fan base is recognized to be the core of his ongoing success along with his unmatched talent.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBqkciiW58I)
He recognizes himself as a true Filipino American. He has every intention of maintaining his own culture as well as morphing it with the American society that he grew up in. He finds great significant in embracing his ethnic background. He thinks that being, "Filipino American is being proud of where you come from and being proud of it. Why not, your parents are from there. If your parents are from America, know about America. But my parents are straight up from the Philippines so I feel like I should know where they came from." He wants to maintain his culture for the sake of his parents as well as the current young generation in America right now where all the races are mixed together. He realizes that this Youtube sensation has really kickstarted a new attitude of embracing the fact that you're Asian American and that you should be proud of it. This Youtube sensation has made Asian Americans all over the world become proud of who they are and be proud of those representing them on Youtube in all aspects. They can turn on the computer and see a friend, see someone they relate to, see someone they can look up to. That's what AJ Rafael's purpose is from being a Youtube-born star, similarly to other Asian American media sensations on this large social platform. He supports the use of Youtube to put yourself out there, especially with the past lack of Asian Americans in the media. He says that Youtube "is free for you and for the users or whatever maybe the next big thing. I don’t feel like it’s giving in or conforming. It’s taking advantage for whatever your goal is. There are just so many people online and the Internet. To each his own. I feel like if you want to pursue this career, you have to put yourself out there. Don’t edit yourself. When you’re talking, be as real as possible. I feel like good music will transcend no matter what" (See more at: http://theotherasians.com/2011/12/aj rafael/#sthash.Jq0rhAil.dpuf)
He continues to be a strong motivator for Asian Americans who want to make it big in the media or any other field that is out of the expect professions. The young generation has been following him since the first days of his success and now we see him blossom into a big star. This is only where many Asian Americans around the world are working to be. They are pushing out of their comfort zones to do what they love. Because we see AJ Rafael, we know that our dreams are possible.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jExfJptYic)
“I was born to play music. I grew up to live for music. I have learned to breathe music. I already feel successful in a sense that I have touched someone else's heart with my music. I only hope to inspire more people to have music in their lives: that's all it's about. Popularity, money, attention, I mean all of that's nice (not that I get much of it), but that's all temporary... music is FOREVER.” –AJ Rafael.
