Jin Rest Is History CD

Jin certainly isn't your typical rapper on the Ruff Ryders label; indeed, he's not typical by any standard. Born in Miami, Florida of Chinese heritage, Jin was raised on East Coast hip-hop, and freestyled his way to a record contract. The intro to his 2004 debut, THE REST IS HISTORY, lampoons a meeting between Jin and his fellow Ruff Ryders, as they ask him about the "Ryde or Die" lifestyle to his confused and hilarious responses. Unlike his labelmates, Jin isn't a motorcyclist, and he doesn't have a shadowy past or an intimidating bone in his body. What Jin can do is rap extemporaneously with amazing skill.

Jin's debut single, "Learn Chinese," which cleverly turns Asian stereotypes on their ears and features Wyclef Jean, earned decent R&B airplay at the end of 2003, and THE REST IS HISTORY followed in late 2004. For the first few tracks on the record, Jin plays a bit to the Ruff Ryders sound, most notably on the rousing "Get Your Handz Off," but he does it in his own manner, as evidenced by the coy "Club Song." It's when he becomes immersed within his own aesthetic that he really shines, as on the ballad "Love Story" and the boastful "Karaoke Night." Jin presents a unique and refreshing voice in rap, and here he sounds like he's just getting warmed up.

Explicit. Winner Of Bet's Free Style Fridays.On Ruff Ryders L

Recording information: Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL; Full Time Breamer Studios, NJ; Powerhouse Studios, Yonkers, NY.

Photographer: David Hastings.

Personnel: Jin (rap vocals); Caryn Golonka, Ayeesha, Lyfe (vocals); Kanye West, L.T., Styles P, Swizz Beatz, Twista, Wyclef Jean (rap vocals); Bernard Grobman, Jef Lee Johnson, Jerry Barnes (guitar); Ken Lewis (acoustic guitar, strings); Rja Smith (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Dragan "Chach" Cacinovic; Sergio "Sergical" Tsai; Gimel Keaton.

Uncut (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[H]e uses his ethnicity to sharp effect, eschewing sex-drugs-bling rants to rhyme of youthful isolation..."