Yellow Dust
Dust clouds leaving mainland China and traveling toward Korea and Japan.
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	黃沙
Simplified Chinese	黄沙
Transcriptions Hakka - Romanization vong11 sa24 Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin Huángshā - Tongyong Pinyin huang2 sha1 - Wade–Giles huang2 sha1 - Bopomofo ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄕㄚ Min - Hokkien POJ hong2 sê1 Wu - Romanization waon平 so平 (Wuu Pinyin) IPA: [ɦuaŋ so] Cantonese (Yue) - Jyutping wong4 sa1
Vietnamese name
Quốc ngữ	Hoàng sa (Sino-Viet.) bão cát vàng (native)
Korean name
Hangul	황사
Hanja	黃沙 alternatively 黃砂
Transcriptions - Revised Romanization Hwangsa - McCune- Reischauer hwang-sa
Japanese name
Kanji	黄砂
Kana	こうさ
Transcriptions - Revised Hepburn kōsa - Kunrei-shiki kôsa - Nihon-shiki kôsa

Asian Dust (also yellow dust, yellow sand, yellow wind or China dust storms) is a seasonal meteorological phenomenon which affects much of East Asia sporadically during the springtime months. The dust originates in the deserts of Mongolia, northern China and Kazakhstan where high-speed surface winds and intense dust storms kick up dense clouds of fine, dry soil particles. These clouds are then carried eastward by prevailing winds and pass over China, North and South Korea, and Japan, as well as parts of the Russian Far East. Sometimes, the airborne particulates are carried much further, in significant concentrations which affect air quality as far east as the United States.

In the last decade or so^{[clarification needed]}, it has become a serious problem due to the increase of industrial pollutants contained in the dust and intensified desertification in China causing longer and more frequent occurrences, as well as in the last few decades when the Aral Sea of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan started drying up due to the diversion of the Amu River and Syr River following a Soviet agricultural program to irrigate Central Asian deserts, mainly for cotton plantations.

Pollutants[link]

Sulfur (an acid rain component), soot, ash, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants including heavy metals (such as mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, lead, zinc, copper) and other carcinogens, often accompany the dust storms, as well as viruses, bacteria, fungi, pesticides, antibiotics, asbestos, herbicides, plastic ingredients, combustion products as well as hormone mimicking phthalates. Though scientists have known that intercontinental dust plumes can ferry bacteria and viruses, "most people had assumed that the [sun's] ultraviolet light would sterilize these clouds," says microbiologist Dale W. Griffin, also with the USGS in St. Petersburg. "We now find that isn't true." ^[1]

Effects[link]

Dust deposition in Beijing during the 2006 season.

Areas affected by the dust experience decreased visibility and the dust is known to cause a variety of health problems, not limited to sore throat and asthma in otherwise healthy people. Often, people are advised to avoid or minimize outdoor activities, depending on severity of storms. For those already with asthma or respiratory infections, it can be fatal. The dust has been shown to increase the daily mortality rate in one affected region by 1.7%.

Although sand itself is not necessarily harmful to soil, due to sulphur emissions and the resulting acid rain, the storms also destroy farmland by degrading the soil, and deposits of ash and soot and heavy metals as well as potentially dangerous biomatter blanket the ground with contaminants including croplands, aquifers, etc. The dust storms also affect wildlife particularly hard, destroying crops, habitat, and toxic metals interfering with reproduction. Coral are hit particularly hard. Toxic metals propagate up the food chain, e.g. from fish to higher mammals. Air visibility is reduced, including canceled flights, ground travel, outdoor activities, and can be correlated to significant loss of economic activity. Japan has reported washed clothes stained yellow.

Korea Times has reported it costing 3 million won (US $3,000), 6000 gallons of water, and 6 hours to simply clean one jumbo jet.^[2]

Severity[link]

Asian Dust obscures the sun over Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan on April 2nd, 2007

Shanghai on April 3, 2007 recorded an air quality index of 500.^[3] In the US, a 300 is considered "Hazardous" and anything over 200 is "Unhealthy". Desertification has intensified in China, as 1,740,000 km² of land are "dry", it disrupts the lives of 400 million people and causes direct economic losses of 54 billion yuan ($7 billion) a year, SFA figures show.^[4] These figures probably vastly underestimate, as they just take into account direct effects, without including medical, pollution, and other secondary effects, as well as effects to neighboring nations.

El Niño plays a role in Asian dust storms, because ice sheets that form in winter can keep dust from sweeping off the land.^{[citation needed]}

Mitigation[link]

In recent years, South Korea and the People's Republic of China have participated in reforestation efforts in the source region. However, this has not affected the problem in any significant way. In April 2006, South Korean meteorologists reported the worst yellow dust storm in four years.^[5]

China also has taken steps, with international support, to plant trees in desert areas, including a claim of 12 billion trees planted. However, the winds are so strong in some places that the trees simply topple or are buried in sand.

In 2007, South Korea sent several thousand trees to help block the migration of the yellow dust. These trees, however, were planted only by highways, because the People's Republic of China stated to South Korea that they could receive the trees but that they would decide where the trees would be planted.

Composition[link]

An analysis of Asian Dust clouds conducted in China in 2001 showed them to contain high concentrations of silicon (24-32%), aluminum (5.9-7.4%), calcium (6.2-12%), and iron, numerous toxic substances were also present, although it is thought that heavier materials (such as poisonous mercury and cadmium from coal burning) settle out of the clouds closer to the origin.

However, Sarah O'Hara of the University of Nottingham in England, writing for the Lancet says that this doesn't mean that the effects are worse closer to the source. People further from the source of the dust are more often exposed to nearly invisible, fine dust particles that they can unknowingly inhale deep into their lungs, as coarse dust is too big to be deeply inhaled.^[1] After inhalation, it can cause long term scarring of lung tissue as well as induce cancer and lung disease.

An American study analyzing the composition of dust events over Colorado also points to the presence of carbon monoxide, possibly incorporated in the clouds as they passed over industrialized regions of Asia.

Historical reports[link]

Some of the earliest written records of dust storm activity are recorded in the ancient Chinese literature.^[6] It is believed that the earliest Chinese dust storm record was found in the Zhu Shu Ji Nian (Chinese: 竹书纪年; English: the Bamboo Annals).^[7] The record said: in the fifth year of Di Xin (1150 BC, Di xin was the Era Name of the King Di Xin of Shang Dynasty, it rained dust at Bo (Bo is a place in Henan Province in China; in Classical Chinese: 帝辛五年，雨土于亳).

The first known record of an Asian Dust event in Korea was in 174 AD during the Silla Dynasty.^[8] The dust was known as "Uto (우토, 雨土)", meaning 'Raining Sands', and was believed at the time to be the result of an angry god sending down dust instead of rain or snow.

Specific records referring to Asian Dust events in Korea also exist from the Baekje, Goguryeo, and Joseon periods.

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Asian Dust

• Asian brown cloud
• Environment of South Korea
• Environment of China
• 2010 China drought and dust storms

References[link]

External links[link]

• Asian Dust in Korea accessed April 9, 2006
• Ostapuk, Paul Asian Dust Clouds accessed April 9, 2006
• Szykman, Jim et al.Impact of April 2001 Asian Dust Event on Particulate Matter Concentrations in the United States
• Kwon Ho-Jang et al.Effects of the Asian Dust Events on Daily Mortality in Seoul, Korea
• Zhang, X.Y. et al. Characterization of Soil Dust Aerosol in China, 2001
• Carbon Monoxide Measurements in the Mongolian Desert Dust Cloud at Boulder
• The Bibliography of Aeolian Research
• Youngsin Chun and Soon-Ung Park, From Historical Records to Early Warning System opf Asian Dust (Hwangsa) in Korea

v t e Health in the People's Republic of China Healthcare Health Disease surveillance Healthcare system reform Women's healthcare Health informatics Tobacco Control Association Barefoot doctor Patriotic Health Campaign China Welfare Institute Hospitals in China Medical schools Organ transplantation Medicine and pharmaceutical Medicine Traditional Chinese medicine Pharmacy Pharmaceutical industry Biotechnology Diseases Avian influenza Blue-ear disease Cardiovascular disease Chronic diseases Enterovirus 71 (EV71) Fujian flu Hepatitis B HIV/AIDS Iodine deficiency Leprosy Mental health Obesity Pneumonic plague SARS (outbreak progress) Stroke Swine influenza outbreak Tuberculosis Disease-related deaths Government Ministry of Health Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention State Food and Drug Administration State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine State Administration of Work Safety Hong Kong Department of Health National Population and Family Planning Commission General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Other related issues Demographics Environment Water supply and sanitation Food safety China dust storms Illegal drug trade Vegetarianism Poverty Prostitution Smoking Studies China-Cornell-Oxford Project (The China Study) China Health and Nutrition Survey Chinese Family Panel Studies Chinese Health and Retirement Survey

9th Wonder
Background information
Birth name	Patrick Douthit
Also known as	9th Wonder, 9thmatic
Born	(1975-01-15) January 15, 1975 (age 37) Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Record producer, record executive
Instruments	Akai MPC 2500, Turntables, Pro Tools, FL Studio[1]
Years active	1997–present
Labels	It's A Wonderful World Music Group, Jamla Records
Associated acts	Little Brother, Murs, David Banner, Buckshot, Erykah Badu

Patrick Douthit (born January 15, 1975 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina),^[2] better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, lecturer, and lyricist from Durham, North Carolina, U.S. He began his career as the main producer for the group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Jay-Z, Murs, Drake, Buckshot, Chris Brown, Destiny's Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, and David Banner. As of 2010, 9th Wonder raps under the name of 9thmatic.^[3]

9th Wonder has a smooth and soulful production style that relies on samples from artists such as Al Green and Curtis Mayfield.^[4] He attributes the bass lines that he uses in production to DJ Premier, Pete Rock and J Dilla, while he claims to have learned "Aahs" from RZA.^{[4][clarification needed]}

Music career[link]

9th Wonder's first significant career breakthrough came in 2003 when, as an up-and-coming producer, he released an unofficial remix album of Nas' 2002 album God's Son entitled God's Stepson.^[5] Released through internet outlets, the album garnered significant attention and acclaim.^[5] The producer has said that he was not thinking in terms of using it to generate a buzz or promote his skills and that at that point: "I never thought any of this of me as a producer was going to happen."^[5] The album has since been credited as starting the now regular trend for unofficial 'home-made' remixes of whole albums.^[5]

9th Wonder began his career as the main producer for the group Little Brother. As part of Little Brother he gained recognition and critical acclaim for his production on their debut 2003 release, The Listening. [Jay-Z]]'s studio engineer Young Guru was impressed with his work, and contacted 9th Wonder, which led to 9th Wonder producing "Threat" for Jay-Z's 2003 The Black Album.^[5] The cut proved to be a mainstream breakthrough for 9th Wonder, most immediately in the major production role he secured on Destiny's Child's 2004 Destiny Fulfilled album that Jay-Z was instrumental in helping bring about.^[5] On the album, 9th Wonder produced the tracks "Girl" and "Is She the Reason," plus the bonus track "Game Over".

9th Wonder left Little Brother in 2007.^[6][7]

On October 29, 2007, 9th Wonder made a rare public appearance on BET's Rap City, alongside collaborator Talib Kweli. Madlib, Jean Grae and Erykah Badu appeared as well. In 2010, he appeared on BET's 106 & Park countdown with David Banner.

9th Wonder, E. Jones, and rapper J. Cole served as the lead producers of the soundtrack to the EA Sports video game NBA Elite 11. 9th Wonder and J. Cole also appear as "secret characters" in NBA Jam with a team name of Cole & Wonder.

9th Wonder debuted his rapping alter-ego 9thmatic in late 2009. 9thmatic appeared on songs with Khrysis and Sean Boog, Big Remo, Murs and Thee Tom Hardy.

9th Wonder worked with Mississippi rapper David Banner on a collaborative album entitled Death of a Pop Star which was released on December 21, 2010.

It's A Wonderful World Music Group, Jamla Records[link]

In January 2009, 9th Wonder announced plans to start two independent record labels, Jamla and The Academy, under his imprint It's A Wonderful World Music Group (IWWMG). Jamla originally consisted of Skyzoo, GQ, Rapsody, Tyler Woods and Big Remo, while The Academy consisted of Thee Tom Hardy, Actual Proof (Sundown & Enigma), TP, and The Away Team (Khrysis & Sean Boog). The Academy artists were later folded into the Jamla label. Halo and Heather Victoria were announced as the newest members of IWWMG in October 2010.

In July 2010, 9th Wonder officially debuted his production team for IWWMG. The Soul Council consists of Khrysis, E. Jones, Fatin "10" Horton, Ka$h Don't Make Beats, AMP, eric g., and 9th Wonder himself.

Recent and current projects[link]

In 2010, independent filmmaker Kenneth Price documented 9th Wonder's travels for an entire year. This included his times in the studio, classes he taught at Duke University, and performances with Murs at the 2010 Rock the Bells Festival, along with interviews with 9th Wonder about his life and career. All of this was compiled in a Lifted Research Group-sponsored documentary film titled The Wonder Year. The film features appearances by Drake, DJ Premier, DJ Green Lantern, J. Cole, Murs, Lucas Rivers, Sha Money XL, Young Guru, The Alchemist and others. Price went on to direct music videos for artists on 9th Wonder's Jamla Records label.

In August 2010, Drake exchanged tweets with 9th Wonder on Twitter, expressing his desire to work with him again (the first time being the production of "Think Good Thoughts" featuring Phonte and Elzhi for his 2007 mixtape Comeback Season). It was revealed in October 2010 that 9th Wonder would be producing for Drake on his sophomore album Take Care, which was released on November 15, 2011.^[8] However, a month prior to the release, 9th Wonder said in an interview that he would not appear on Take Care due to A&R issues.^[9]

Singer Chris Brown recorded a series of rap freestyles over 9th Wonder beats. The first was released on July 18, 2011 on YouTube under the title "Real Hip Hop #3." This was followed a day later by "Real Hip Hop #4" featuring Kevin McCall. These tracks were included in Brown's rap mixtape Boy In Detention, released on August 5, 2011.^[10]

Hip hop professor[link]

2007 saw a sideline move into music academia for 9th Wonder when, along with Christopher "Play" Martin from hip hop group Kid-n-Play, he was appointed Artist-In-Residence by the Chancellor of North Carolina Central University, and began instructing a hip hop history class in NCCU's Music Dept.^[11]

His role as a music professor has proven an ongoing one as in January 2010 it was announced that 9th Wonder would co-teach a class titled "Sampling Soul" with Dr. Mark Anthony Neal at Duke University.^[12] In an interview with HitQuarters, he explained the reason for the move into academia: "Educating the youth on where hip-hop comes from and the history of it, using the records we use, gives hip-hop a longer life. I decided to become an advocate of that."^[5]

9th has only continued his trek into the world of education, recently receiving acceptance from Harvard University to become a fellow in the Hip Hop Archive. 9th will spend three years working on a research project at Harvard’s W.E.B. Dubois Institute. For 9th's project titled "These Are The Breaks" he will be researching the original records that created his top 10 produced albums. He recently told XXL that he one day hopes to leave producing behind for good to focus on academics. A documentary will also be created by Kenneth Price, chronicling 9th's journey as a Harvard fellow. The blog www.theharvardfellow.com will help fans follow the progression.

P'Tones Records[link]

9th Wonder and Black Jeruz are the spokespeople for the Durham-P'Tones Records Studio which is partnered with North Carolina Central University. The new location for the P'Tones studio is currently being decided. 9th Wonder still resides in North Carolina. He has announced his dedication to the community in Durham, NC by joining P'Tones Records, whose Mission Statement statement is "to create constructive opportunities for inner city youth through no-cost neighborhood music programs." The organization's goal is to give students the opportunity to run a record label, creating music and merchandise while learning about the music industry. Former Professor Kawachi Clemons and founder (of P'Tones) Oren Rosenbaum opened the NCCU-P'Tones studio. The program is set to begin February 2010. Dr. Smith has replaced Dr. Clemons as the point man from NCCU. As of August 1, P'Tones is fundraising through the Pepsi Refresh Project.^[13]

Discography[link]

Solo albums[link]

• 2005: Dream Merchant Vol. 1
• 2007: Dream Merchant Vol. 2
• 2010: 9th's Opus: It's a Wonderful World Music Group Vol.1
• 2011: The Wonder Years
• 2012: Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)

Collaboration albums[link]

• 2003: The Listening (with Little Brother)
• 2003: Shake N Beats (Instrumental LP) (with Spectac)
• 2003: Legsclusives (with L.E.G.A.C.Y.)
• 2004: Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition (with Murs)
• 2005: The Minstrel Show (with Little Brother)
• 2005: Chemistry (with Buckshot)
• 2005: Spirit of '94: Version 9.0 (with Kaze)
• 2005: 9th Gate (with Access Immortal)
• 2006: Murray's Revenge^[14] (with Murs)
• 2006: Cloud 9: The Three Day High (with Skyzoo)
• 2007: Class is in Session (with Pete Rock)
• 2008: The Formula (with Buckshot)
• 2008: Jeanius (with Jean Grae)
• 2008: Sweet Lord (with Murs)
• 2008: The Corner of Spec & 9th (with Spectac)
• 2010: Fornever (with Murs)
• 2010: Death of a Pop Star (with David Banner)
• 2012: The Solution (with Buckshot)

Collaboration mixtapes[link]

• 2006: Battle of the Beats Round 1–2 (with The Alchemist & DJ E.Nyce)
• 2007: 9th Year Freshman (with CHOPS)
• 2007: The Graduate (with Kanye West, Mick Boogie & Terry Urban)
• 2008: The W.ide W.Orld of W.Rap (with E.Ness)
• 2008: Album Mixtape Volume One (with Cans)
• 2008: 9 Wonders (NYOIL verses 9th Wonder) (with NYOIL)
• 2009: The R&B Sensation Mixtape (with Tyler Woods)
• 2009: Back to the Feature (with Wale & LRG)
• 2009: The Hardy Boy Mystery Mixtape: Curse of Thee Green Faceded (with Thee Tom Hardy & Don Cannon)
• 2010: To Hanses Mall (with Akello Light)
• 2010: Album Mixtape Part 2 (with Cans)
• 2010: The (Free)EP (with Actual Proof)
• 2011: TP is my Hero (with TP)
• 2011: Spring Cleaning (with Mike Schpitz)^[15]

Compilation and remix albums[link]

• 2003: 9th invented the Remix
• 2003: God's Stepson – Nas (remix of Nas's album God's Son)
• 2004: Black Is Back! – Jay-Z (Remix of Jay-Z's The Black Album)
• 2005: The Remix EP (Remixed Songs of Smif-N-Wessun)
• 2009: Wonder Years – 9th Wonder Golden Years Remix LP
• 2010: 9th invented the Remix...Again
• 2010: Loose Joints
• 2010: Food for Thought
• 2012: Tutankhamen

References[link]

External links[link]

• 9thwonder.com

DJ Muggs
Background information
Birth name	Lawrence Muggerud
Also known as	Muggs
Born	(1968-01-28) January 28, 1968 (age 44)
Origin	Queens, New York
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	DJ Producer
Labels	Columbia[1], ANTI-, Ultra
Associated acts	Cypress Hill Funkdoobiest Soul Assassins GZA Sick Jacken The 7A3 Ill Bill
Website	djmuggs.com

Lawrence Muggerud (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name DJ Muggs, is Cypress Hill's DJ and producer. He also produced tracks for Funkdoobiest, House of Pain, Dizzie Rascal, U2, Depeche Mode and more. He is the leader of LA art collective Soul Assassins.

Life and career[link]

Cypress Hill (1988–2004)[link]

Muggs was born in Queens, New York of Italian and Norwegian descent. Muggs moved to Los Angeles at Twenty.^[2] He briefly DJ'd the group 7a3, putting out one album before disbanding. After linking up with B-Real and Sen Dog to form the group Cypress Hill, he went on to produce seven studio albums with the group, from 1991 to 2004. Of the seven, four reached platinum status, and three gold. Meanwhile, he scored hits on the side with Ice Cube's "Check Yo Self" and House of Pain's "Jump Around." During Cypress Hill's early years, DJ Muggs met The Alchemist and his Dilated Peoples brethren on tour, deciding to take the young producer under his wing, providing a jump-start for his career.^[3]

Soul Assassins[link]

In 1997, Muggs released an album under the name Soul Assassins. The album, Soul Assassins I, reached #86 on the Billboard 200 and earned critical praise.^[4] Produced by DJ Muggs, it featured a variety of rappers including Dr. Dre, B-Real, LA The Darkman, Mobb Deep, RZA, GZA, Goodie Mob, KRS One and Wyclef Jean. In 2000 he returned to the Soul Assassins with Soul Assassins II, which reached only #178 on the charts but garnered similarly positive reviews.^[5] He also put out the record Dust, an atmosphere-heavy trip-hop affair with Greg Dulli, Amy Trujillo and Everlast on vocals. After the 2004 album Til Death Do Us Part, which didn't reach gold but landed #23 on the Billboard 200, Cypress Hill went on a hiatus from recording, enabling its members to focus more on their side projects.

Further Solo Projects & Return of Cypress Hill (2005–2010)[link]

In 2005, DJ Muggs teamed up with Wu-Tang Clan's GZA for the album Grandmasters, the first project released on his label Angeles Records. Patterned after a chess game, it received highly positive reviews;^[6] Muggs also announced a Soul Assassins III album, produced jointly by himself and Alchemist, reportedly to be preceded by a record called Cloak & Dagger, also featuring Alchemist.^[7] Instead, Muggs produced an album for Psycho Realm member Sick Jacken, Legend of the Mask and the Assassin two years later, in 2007. In 2008, Muggs announced that his album with California rapper Planet Asia would be the third Soul Assassins album,^[8] but the two released Pain Language later that year as a simple collaboration.

Before the release of his solo album Smoke N Mirrors in 2009, B-Real reported that Cypress Hill has been working on an album for roughly a year. Currently in the mixing phase, Muggs has produced half of the album's material so far, going to DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Mike Shinoda for the rest.^[9] In 2009, Muggs entered the Gumball 3000 cross-country race, and on June 23, 2009, Soul Assassins: Intermission was released, featuring RZA, Prodigy, Evidence, The Alchemist and Bun B.^[10] The first single for the album was "Gangsta Shit," by Bun B and M1 of Dead Prez.^[11] Despite its high-profile guest list, the release was met with lukewarm reception,^[12] and Muggs later clarified its status as a preview before the release of Soul Assassins III, the next full-fledged installment of his Soul Assassins series.^[13] Muggs plans next on recording his 5th V.S. album with group member B-Real.^[14]

On the Soul Assassins Official Website, it was also revealed that Muggs will contribute Production to the new album from rapper Apathy, "Honkey Kong" Due out in early 2011. The Track is Titled "Fear Itself"^[15]

In 2011, Muggs plans on releasing a New Album called "Bass For Your Face" which he describes as a West Coast "Dubstep" Album. Although he says the album will feature an extensive guest list, thus far the only guest named is London Grime MC P-Money. In October 2011, Muggs confirmed Via his Twitter Account that legendary Public Enemy Frontman Chuck D would contribute to the Album, and the albums lead Single would Feature UK artist Dizzee Rascal & Los Angeles Upstart MC Bambu.

Discography[link]

Studio album[link]

• 2003: Dust
• 2012: Bass For Your Face

Cypress Hill[link]

For the main article see the Cypress Hill discography.

Vs. Series[link]

• 2005: Grandmasters with GZA
• 2007: Legend of the Mask and the Assassin with Sick Jacken featuring Cynic
• 2008: Pain Language with Planet Asia
• 2010: Kill Devil Hills with Ill Bill

Soul Assassins[link]

• 1997: Soul Assassins I
• 2000: Soul Assassins II
• 2009: Soul Assassins: Intermission

Collaboration albums[link]

• 1999: Juxtapose with Tricky & Dame Grease
• 2004: The Last Assassin with Chace Infinite
• 2005: Mash Up Radio (Hip Hop vs. Rock) Vol. 1 with DJ Warrior
• 2005: Mash Up Radio (Hip Hop vs. Rock) Vol. 2 with DJ Warrior
• 2011: Los Angeles, Philippines with Bambu

[edit] References

External links[link]

• Official Site
• Interview With HipHopDX

Planet Asia
Planet Asia performing in 2005
Background information
Birth name	Jason Green
Born	(1976-10-24) October 24, 1976 (age 35)
Genres	Hip hop
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Interscope, Avatar, Gold Chain, Wandering Worx
Associated acts	Cali Agents Dilated Peoples Tha Liks Zion I Talib Kweli Termanology Grand Agent Swollen Members Strong Arm Steady Blu Fashawn Lee Bannon Self Scientific Asterix (musician) Mizz Nina

Planet Asia aka King Medallions (real name Jason Green, born October 24, 1976)^[1] is an underground hip hop MC from Fresno, California who is a member of hiphop groups the Cali Agents, and Skhool Yard. He is also well known for his vast discography of mixtapes.

History[link]

During the 1990s, Planet Asia moved from Fresno, California to San Francisco, California and started rapping religiously. From 1997-2001, Planet Asia had been releasing various popular 12 inch singles. These singles such as "Definition of ILL" and "Place of Birth" were released by various labels such as Stones Throw and ABB Records. He reached full acclaim in 2001 when The Source gave him the First Round Draft Pick and Independent Album of the Year awards for How the West Was One. How The West Was One was recorded with fellow rapper Rasco under the group name Cali Agents and landed him a deal with Interscope Records.

While signed to Interscope Records, Planet Asia was not promoted like more popular Interscope acts Eminem and 50 Cent. The Fresno rapper stayed with Interscope until 2003 without releasing an album. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2002 for the song "W" by Mystic. Planet Asia has collaborated with famous artists such as Linkin Park, Bun B, Talib Kweli, Tupac Shakur and Ghostface Killah.

In 2003, Avatar Records signed Planet Asia to an exclusive world-wide recording contract and in 2004 released Planet Asia's debut album, The Grand Opening, to positive feedback. It earned him another Independent Album of the Year award from The Source. Avatar also released 12" vinyl records including "Summertime In The City" b/w "G's & Soldiers" featuring Kurupt produced by J. Wells, "Its All Big" b/w "Right or Wrong", and "Real Niggaz" featuring Ghostface. His record "G's & Soldiers" featuring Kurupt was prominently featured in John Travolta's 2005 film "Be Cool" released by MGM. After leaving Avatar, Planet Asia started his own record label, Gold Chain Music, with Walt Liquor.

His next album, The Medicine, was released on October 3, 2006 on ABB Records. The entire album was produced by Evidence of Dilated Peoples, with co-production credits from The Alchemist, Nucleus & Bravo.

On June 26, 2007, Planet Asia released "The Jewelry Box Sessions: The Album" on Gold Chain Music. The album featured the single "Havin' Things".

In 2010, Planet Asia collaborated with Malaysian artist, Mizz Nina, on a song called Hope.

In 2011, Planet Asia was a judge on the Ultimate MC TV show alongside with Royce da 5'9", Sean Price, Organik, and Pharoahe Monch.^[2]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 2002: Still in Training
• 2003: Life as It is (Unreleased)
• 2004: The Grand Opening
• 2006: The Medicine
• 2007: Jewelry Box Sessions: The Album
• 2008: Pain Language (with DJ Muggs)
• 2010: Crack Belt Theatre
• 2011: The Bar Mitzvah (Digital Only Release)
• 2011: Camouflage Jackets (with G-Force)
• 2012: Black Belt Theatre (February 28)^[3]

EPs[link]

• Planet Asia (1998)
• The Last Stand (2000)
• Cracks in the Vinyl (with Madlib) (2011)

Mixtapes[link]

• The Steady Gang Mix (2004)
• The Sickness Part 1 (2006)
• Direct from C.A. (2008)
• Planet Asia & The Architekt: Blak Majik (King Medallion vs. Arch Angel) (2008)
• DJ Muggs vs. Planet Asia: The Pain Language Mixtape (Mixed by DJ Warrior) (2008)
• Planet Asia Present: Turbin - The Boys a Problem Vol.1 (2009)
• Planet Asia & F. L. O. : Planet F. L. O. (2009)

Compilations[link]

• Collabos and Bullets (2003)
• Throwbacks (Classics 1997-2001) (2004)

with Cali Agents[link]

• How The West Was One (2000), Ground Control
• Head of the State (2004), Pockets Linted/Groove Attack
• Fire & Ice (2006), Pockets Linted Entertainment

with Skhoolyard[link]

• Representation EP (1997) - as Yard Massive
• A New Way of Thinking (2002)

with Gold Chain Military[link]

• Chain of Command (2010)

with General Monks[link]

• Each Step becomes Elevated (2011)

with Durag Dynasty[link]

• TBA (2012) (Produced by The Alchemist)

References[link]

External links[link]

This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2008)

• Planet Asia's Official Website
• Interview with DJ Muggs
• "Havin' Thangs MP3"
• Planet Asia's Career History
• Discography
• Last Plane to Jakarta review of The Grand Opening