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Enka is a style of Japanese pop music very popular around the time of the 2nd World War. It is generally performed by women wearing kimonos singing tragic and bittersweet torch songs to suitably overblown orchestral arrangements. China and Korea share a similar style of music.

Here is some footage from Japanese TV where Jero sang Enka to an appreciative audience and he certainly made an impression.

The music is still popular in Karaoke bars and with people over 40. Enka singers and recording artists today are of the same generation, but if Jero has anything to do with it, he will lead a resurgence with a younger generation.

Jerome White Junior is a 26 year old ex rapper from Pittsburg in the USA and he has the Japanese media in a buzz. He’s just released his Enka debut and it’s selling like hotcakes.

Exposed to Enka as a youngster by his grandmother and half Japanese mother, his love of the music style led him from Pittsburgh to Japan after being scouted by JVC Music. He has worked hard for two years to prepare himself to be the first ever black Enka singer.

This is his first single “Umiyuki”

No traditional Japanese costume for Jero though, he wears his hip hop duds with pride. “My look has definitely not been crafted by Victor. They may think they know about hip-hop, but they know absolutely nothing,” he said. “A kimono – that’s overboard for me. If I did that, it would just look like a stunt. I’m definitely not a stunt. I don’t want to go on any game shows.” he told an interviewer for the Times recently.

I have always had a soft spot for JPop and Jero is no exception. Worth investing a few minutes of your time to hear this fine singer.