Help! Writing Is Driving Me Crazy

Welcome to Golden Dragon, a newsletter by Eric Diep about Asians in hip-hop and my takes on trending topics in AAPI pop culture. Golden Dragon is a rotation of interviews, reviews, news, critical perspectives, and random blogs about music I recommend.

• It’s been a busy month.

I think I can speak for every journalist who has a newsletter: when work takes over your life, the outlet you started for personal writing often takes a backseat.

It’s officially been one month since I started my new job. It’s also been one year since I launched Golden Dragon. In my mind, I wanted to do something special for my first anniversary, but life had other plans. I could hyperlink all my favorite newsletters I’ve written and take pride in myself for staying consistent. Right now, I feel like I let Jay Park down.

In his song “Mayday,” he sings, “Mayday mayday / Yeah you really drive me / Crazy crazy.” While I’m not at a club directing this to a woman, I’m actually behind my computer singing this to my Google Drive.

I’m the type of person who puts my all into things, especially when my name is attached to them. For better or for worse, my work ethic and this grind mentality have made me extremely tired. No, it’s not quite burnout. I think I’m past burnout. It’s just adulting in your late 30s, having to balance everything like eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising, keeping up with friends, and saving up for that next life moment. I had intentions to write about all the big albums that dropped during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. But by the time I got home from work, I was doing more work. I put in a few extra hours for a bit of breathing room that never lasts very long.

Was working in media always this exhausting? My last full-time job was almost a decade ago. I’ve admitted to myself that I’m terrible at work-life balance, especially in an industry that requires you to go out on weekdays and weekends. I believe my passion consumes me so much that I’m willing to put my body through hell just so I don’t miss a self-imposed deadline. I realize that this isn’t the best way to write or be creative, letting anxiety and my urges to write at odd hours in the evening steer my productivity.

I’ve thought about taking a hiatus from Golden Dragon. There are things I want to do to scale this newsletter, like audience growth, building a community, and getting an understanding of what type of newsletters you want from me. I could use a crash course in personal branding that ties me to Golden Dragon. Memberships and creating exclusive content for readers have always been on my mind. A live event or a concert I could host, and curating a lineup would be super dope. By the time I dig deeper after being inspired by one of Beehiiv’s webinars or seeing what others have done with their newsletter platforms, the energy I have left is spent nurturing my fatigue.

The summer is around the corner, and I’m going to try my best to uphold the bi-monthly newsletter. Pardon my lateness, as this is not how I wanted to celebrate my one year. Again, life takes you in unexpected directions. I will say my new job is rewarding, and I truly am living out a professional dream of mine to be able to help emerging artists on the ground level, getting their stories told to interested readers.

Golden Dragon has gotten a lot of love over the past 365 days. I want to thank everyone who supports this newsletter (including my girlfriend’s parents, I love you guys) and every artist who has shared it on their IG Stories and messaged me about my Diep Cuts writeups. I want to thank all the artists who granted me an interview: JMIN, Junoflo, and Karri. To give me a chance to have a conversation with you for Golden Dragon meant a lot to me.

This is a labor of love, sticking to the words and the blog era that raised me. All I wanted to do from the beginning was magnify AAPI artists and use my voice to share some music I liked. May is almost over, but we listen to these artists year-round. Here’s a list of some things that you should check out, watch, and read.

• Tablo and RM share a personal song, “Stop the Rain.” In an interview with Rolling Stone, Tablo says he’s been holding onto this song since 2023. “It really felt like entries in a diary or some sort of confession,” he said. Over a languid beat, they talk about physical and mental abuse, as well as suicide ideation. It’s heavy. Listen here.

• SAILORR drops her debut project, From Florida’s Finest. The 26-year-old Vietnamese American croons her way through heartbreak and the messy aftermath. She’s bubblegum pop and alt-R&B, which are very sounds of the moment. She just sold out her first tour. I just hope she can separate herself from the SZA comparisons. Listen here.

• Jackson Wang finally has a release date for Magic Man 2. Jackson Wang has been unfolding his Magic Man 2 alter ego through expensive music videos that feel like movies. This version of himself seems dark and brooding based on his first single “High Alone.” He’s got a dance pop track out now called “Buck” featuring Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh. Magic Man 2 is out July 18.

• Rich Brian pushes back Where Is My Head? Now it’s coming Aug. 15. Rich Brian’s third album was supposed to drop on May 23. In an Instagram announcement, he wrote, “I’ve been so inspired these past few months, incredibly inspired by the people, places and sounds surrounding me.” He needed more time to add his new songs. My theory is he wanted to rap again, which is why we got him back with Ski Mask the Slump God on “Jumpy.”

• Megan Thee Stallion honored with One House Award at the fourth annual Gold Gala. Members of Far East Movement presented the award to her, creating a full-circle moment after she did a freestyle over “Like a G6” last year. I nearly cried watching her acceptance speech. “My respect and appreciation for the Asian Pacific culture extends far beyond music and to other areas like fashion, cuisine, and of course, anime,” she says. “We need to keep learning from each other and keep uplifting one another. As a Black woman, I know how important it is to feel seen, heard, and respected.”

• MC Jin covers this month’s LiFTED Asia. In a conversation with Sean Dinsmore, they cover topics such as signing to Ruff Ryders, his move to China in his younger years, and being HipHopMan on the first season of The Rap of China. “I’m probably the only person in history to have the audacity to participate in a Mandarin-based rap competition, speaking next to zero Mandarin,” MC Jin says. “To be honest, no part of me would have entertained the idea if it wasn’t for the fact that in my mind, this was what HipHopMan represented: stepping into the unknown, challenging the unfamiliar, all in the spirit of hip-hop.”

• VannDa releases visuals for “Time to Rise” sequel “Golden Land / Varman Blood.” For the past two months, I’ve been feeling more connected to my Cambodian side thanks to VannDa’s music. VannDa’s final album of the Treyvisai trilogy, The Return of Sovannaphum, features a double video for “Golden Land / Varman Blood,” where the concept is him becoming Cambodia’s brightest beacon of hope. It’s also filmed in Angkor Wat, which is a beautiful sight to see an artist transmit Cambodia’s rich culture on a global stage. On The Return of Sovannaphum, I’ve been obsessed with the last song, “Don’t Worry.”

• Seiji Oda drops Human + Nature. The Oakland-raised rapper releases a new set of slappers on his album, featuring collaborations with LaRussell, 03 Greedo, and Rexx Life Raj. It’s smoothed out all the way through. 03 Greedo floats over “7HR Drive.” Listen here.

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• The Recording’s Gold Music Alliance champions AAPI music creators, cultural tastemakers, and the community. Throughout May, the Instagram account (@recordingacademy) has been highlighting some of my favorite people like Thuy, Rhea Raj, and P-Lo through a social media campaign that aims to spotlight Pan-Asian voices and create a more inclusive environment, while celebrating their cultural heritage and significant contributions to the music landscape. The best part is you can download their AAPI Month toolkit and shout yourself out. It’s on my to-do list.

• Get hip to 1300. Jaded, which was behind an SXSW showcase featuring emerging artists across Asia and the Asian diaspora, reintroduced itself as a multi-platform music company based in Los Angeles. For their first volume of The Good List, which identifies and celebrates boundary-pushing artists, they spotlighted 1300 (pronounced one-three-hundred), an alternative hip-hop group that emerged from Sydney’s underground scene. I fuck with “Rocksta.” Their new single, “BANGALANG,” is due out June 6.

• KR$NA shares, Yours Truly. If you discovered KR$NA through Awich’s “Asian State of Mind,” then Yours Truly would be a good mixtape to check out more of his music. Phenom, a producer and rapper, is behind the boards on six tracks and four skits. Awich returns the favor with a verse on “Hello.” Boom bap is represented in songs like “Nothing to Prove” and “Talk My Shit/Guarantee.” If you like beat devourers and are curious about Indian hip-hop, listen here.

• Ruby Ibarra debuts on Tiny Desk. Filipino American rapper Ruby Ibarra won this year’s Tiny Desk Contest for her entry of “Bakunawa.” Her intimate concert was released, where she put together an all-Filipino band, which includes R&B singer Ouida and members of Pinay Voltron and Astralogik, plus rock legend June Millington. Her performance sent a message while introducing her to new fans, doing “Bakunawa,” “7000 Miles,” and “Someday.”

• J-Hope closes out Hope on the Stage Tour. J-Hope is doing something special for his last set of shows, broadcasting a live viewing of his Osaka, Japan show in cinemas around the world on May 31 and June 1. I’ve grown to like these theater viewings with BTS fans. They are pretty fun. Tickets here.

NxWorries - “Everybody Gets Down”

After sharing “Everybody Gets Down,” a house track primed for summer day parties, NxWorries are going on their first-ever North American headlining tour with special guest Rae Khalil. The Why Lawd Tour kicks off in Portland, Oregon, at the Crystal Ballroom on Sept. 10. Does the floor still bounce?

Sunkis and Yung Kai - “Where the Sunlight Glows”

Pop and R&B artist Sunkis is going to be at Head in the Clouds this weekend, so it was only right that he shared a new song. “Where the Sunlight Glows” blends English and Mandarin lyrics, expressing love as a warm sunlight that always keeps you happy. The song is also a metaphor for someone who sees a better place or future for themselves when they haven’t yet. It’s going to be nice to hear this live in 80-degree weather.

Perris - “Nauseous”

Half-Filipino pop/alternative artist Perris captures the feeling of being sick to your stomach after a lovebomb fling cools off. As he says, “The madly in love to green text pipeline. A tale as old as the iPhone itself. If it weren’t green texts, it would be unanswered phone calls. If it weren’t unanswered phone calls, it would be public avoidance. There’s a fine line between wishing an unrequited love still existed and acknowledging that maybe it wasn’t right all along.”

Daju, Denise Julia - “Rain” (Remix)

Daju connects with Filipina singer Denise Julia, blending their soulful, vulnerable lyrics about heartbreak into one, creating a companion song for people who need it. It’s a collaboration of two artists from different islands, but sharing the same emotion. Daju says, “With the similarities between our two communities — from island life to the kindness, hospitality, work ethic, and creativity — I’ve felt right at home, and I’m honored to help continue those ties between two islands with deep, Filipino roots. I couldn’t imagine anyone better to build on this track than Denise, one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing artists.”

NENE - “KITERU”

Something is going on in Japan where they’re making these Zaytoven-esque beats. Japanese trap going up? Because Nene has got it.

Yuki Chiba and Murda Beatz - “Maybach”

Yuki Chiba teams up with Murda Beatz, who is behind hits by Migos, 2 Chainz, and Gucci Mane, for a track about the ‘Bachs on ‘Bachs on ‘Bachs. Chiba eats milk and Oreos inside the luxury car, and it’s a flex. I’m just waiting to hear “It’s Gucci!” on Chiba’s next song.

Khantrast - “Great”

Despite my criticisms of Khantrast in the past, he’s been improving as a lyrical rapper. “Great” is him getting personal about his story, hoping one day he’ll be a top artist in the world. Have we moved on from sexy drill to club drill?

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Okayplayer asked me to write a retrospective of selected AAPI artists and their contributions to hip-hop, as well as how hip-hop influenced them. It’s past due for hip-hop heads to start widening their scope and pay attention to hip-hop from other parts of the world. Read it here.