Jero in Kirin’s new TV ad.

American singer Jero to appear in TV ad

Friday 09th May, 05:41 AM JST

TOKYO —

Kirin Beverage Corp has signed up African-American enka singer Jero, 26, to appear in TV ads for its canned coffee “Fire Cafe Zero.” The ads will be aired from May 21.

In a comment, Jero, who appears in TV ads for the first time, said, “I carefully tried not show my nervousness on my face. It was a good experience making the ads and I had a lot of fun.”

Latest 15 of 29 Total Comments Show All

SmiffnWessum at 10:42 AM JST - 10th May

this dude will be a quick fad, like all gaijin with little talents
rtrhead1 at 10:54 AM JST - 10th May

Uh, smiffnwessum, have you actually listened to him? He is exceptionally talented at what he does and he doesn't pander to the tv stations like some of the other foreign talents who act like fools on tv, cough Bobby cough. He has musical talent and it will carry him far.

Moderator: Japan Today will feature an in-depth interview with Jero later this month. Look for it in the Entertainment/Arts section.
rjd_jr at 01:15 PM JST - 10th May

Great post rtrhead1. Let's hope Jero-san won't be too affected by the ridiculous comments on here. Jealous and spiteful people will always try to cut successful and talented individuals, more so on JT.
rtrhead1 at 07:26 PM JST - 10th May

I personally am not a big fan of his music, although I would like to think that I can recognize a talented singer. But, talent is in the ear of the beholder, I guess.
SmiffnWessum at 08:36 PM JST - 10th May

he has zero talent bro, but i give him credit for taking something like this and running with it. but the whole hip-hip fashion thing just doesnt fit this dude..he's a geeky dude
Sarge at 08:43 PM JST - 10th May

"he has zero talent"

Ha ha ha ha ha!

"Hip-hop + enka sounds a little like mixing flamenco with bagpipes: it has already been tried"

Really? I'd like to hear that. It can't be any worse than Ross Geller playing the bagpipes ha ha ha ha!
rtrhead1 at 09:15 PM JST - 10th May

Again I ask, have you listened to him? There is NO crossing of hip/hop and enka. The only hip hop in his performance is his clothing. To each his own. I wouldn't wear it. I don't believe you've actually listened to him judging by your comments, but hey, it's your opinion (guess).
Ninjazilla at 12:21 AM JST - 11th May

Why all the hating?
SmiffnWessum at 06:00 AM JST - 11th May

he a sell0out, thats why..he's a geeky black dude that's being marketed as some hip-hip head who can sing enka
rtrhead1 at 10:00 AM JST - 11th May

sellout of what? someone doesn't go immediately for what the color of their skin insinuates they should and they are a sellout? It's funny, but it seems like when some people in this world get something nice, there is always someone there to pull them back down. So, you are not a geeky dude?
cleo at 02:25 PM JST - 11th May

Can't say I'm a fan of either enka or canned coffee, but he's a good-looking lad, and if he's doing well, good for him.

Good luck to him.
rtrhead1 at 06:16 PM JST - 11th May

While I don't wish to really ever have his skill (I'm not even a fan of public speaking let alone public singing), I hope someday my skills in the Japanese language catch up to his. Fluent reading and writing and speaking? Yeah, that's gonna take a while...
SmiffnWessum at 12:07 AM JST - 12th May

he began learning the language at the age of 5.
Azrael at 12:55 AM JST - 12th May

When I was in my second year at the MSc. studies, one of our sensei would take us to Karaoke on the weekends, and all we'd sing was Enka. I liked it, and Enka is somewhat similar to 1970's music from Spain and the Caribbean, specially Boleros. In Latin America, some young singers are reviving Bolero as well, so reviving Enka by young singers sounds good. I would like to listen to Jero's songs sometime. I'd like to get some Enka CD's, but I don't know any names. I might just go to a CD store and ask. I guess Jero's look may appeal to young people. My mom was kind of wary of the young singers singing Boleros, but now she likes at least one of the new singers. I'd like to know if people from the Enka generation like Jero's work.
jpdrag0n at 02:30 PM JST - 12th May

wow smiffnwessum, youve been hating on jero this whole thread. go listen to him on youtube and tell us again if he has no talent. if hes so crappy, why are japanese people so impressed with his SINGING and not his nationality?