Exclusive: Meet A-Mac, rapper on the cutting edge

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04:38

China has been looking to stabilize its western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where unrest has been deterring tourists in recent years. Some young people are trying to change its image by promoting the local ethnic identity through pop culture.

While talking to CGTN's reporter Han Bin, A-Mac, 30-year-old Uygur rap singer, said he has been using music to overcome prejudice and stereotypes.

“The song ‘Mamat' is created from my years of experience in major cities. No matter which ethnic group you belong to, you can find your own stories in it. Music has no labels, everyone can be Mamat,” said A-Mac.

File photo of A-Mac, Chinese rapper. /Photo via Xihachina.com

A-Mac's Uygur name is Adil, and A-Mac is only his name in the hip-hop world. He left Urumqi for Beijing when he was six and has started his love for hip-hop as a child.

“The music has given me strength. My hometown has given me a lot of ideas along my journey of growth. It gives me an outlook on and value of the world,” said A-Mac.

He said that Urumqi has his sweet childhood memories.

“Music can get people interested first in you, and then your ethnic culture. I use music to influence others so that more people know the other side of my ethnic group,” said the rapper.

“The Uygur ethnic group have colorful traditions. But young people are also doing cool things like everyone else in the modern world.”

A-Mac said he doesn't want to stress too much in lyrics that he comes from Xinjiang; instead, he wants to emphasize the fact that he is only an ordinary young man. So in most of his songs, he uses Mandarin Chinese while sticking to the musical elements of his ethnic minority.

A file photo of A-Mac and his friend. /Photo via xihachina.com

“Although my music may have some strong Xinjiang style, the content may reflect the same kinds of issues that all young people of my age across China have,” he said.

A-Mac said that the urbanization has changed his hometown Urumqi greatly in recent years, new buildings have grown higher, fashion brands are appearing in the city and now there are more modern subways and new airports.

With his music, the young rapper said he hopes that one day he could sing on a bigger stage, and even the international stage, and help change people's stereotypes of Xinjiang.

“Music helps unite different cultures. People may forget about their different backgrounds and enjoy music together,” he said.