Jero publishes photo essay book

Monday 04th August, 10:17 AM JST

TOKYO —

African-American enka singer Jero, 26, has published a photo essay book. Titled “Jero Umiyuki – I and grandma,” the book features photos and Jero’s reminiscences about his Japanese grandmother.

He said, “The book has photos of me when I was a teenager. I loved my grandma because she always supported me, even back then.”

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Latest 15 of 21 Total Comments Show All

ExPrinceska at 07:53 PM JST - 4th August

He is very handsome, and talented - what a glory of the genes ivolved!
lipscombe at 07:54 PM JST - 4th August

nice move marketing agent, the old duffers will be lining up in kinokunuya for this one. save some of the money for Jero though
ExPrinceska at 08:14 PM JST - 4th August

I think that enka hasn't got many fans recently, so the enka producers want to attract audience through something new and striking, like Zero - a handsome, very exotic man (yes, hot, not only obachans find him hot!) who can sing well.
lipscombe at 08:25 PM JST - 4th August

I think that enka hasn't got many fans recently, so the enka producers want to attract audience through something new and striking, like Zero - a handsome, very exotic man (yes, hot, not only obachans find him hot!) who can sing well

not the case at all, the industry/business wants to milk him and the fickle audience as much as possible before they move onto to something else. its a business, nothing more
JeromeInJapan at 09:40 AM JST - 5th August

Personally I think the guy needs to learn how to dress.
TokyoGas at 01:53 PM JST - 5th August

Personally I think the guy needs to learn how to dress.

Agreed. He seems to be attached to baseball caps and do-rags.
TRUTHxHURTS at 04:30 PM JST - 5th August

when you become 30 years old. it is time to grow up. and stop wearing your pants low.

And you better kiss your marketing management team because they are keeping you alive.

I do not know why ? But you got talent kid.

Hang in there son !!!!!
lunach1ck at 06:58 PM JST - 5th August

Personally I think the guy needs to learn how to dress.

Is that you Jero?
uperjer at 11:43 PM JST - 5th August

i don't get enka.
Hendrik3 at 12:03 AM JST - 6th August

This isn't scoring very high on my care-o-meter
Sarge at 12:25 AM JST - 6th August

"I doN7t get enka"

That's because you aren't Japanese or have a Japanese grandmother.
JeromeInJapan at 07:24 AM JST - 6th August

Id say he's image is due to the Japanese perception of a cool, hip hop, black Amerikajin. If he wore that apparel in the US he would be laughed at! Doo rags went out years ago and the fitted caps are too. I asked a Japanese girl what she thought of his clothing? I told her that I thought it made him look like an idiot. She said "Yeah its cool and he likes it so I think its ok" Hahaha yeah right! Like most black guys here he's playing up the kokujin stereotype that the Japanese have in their minds. Oh well he's selling out but he is getting paid. I guess that's how the music industry works these days.
sk4ek at 08:05 AM JST - 6th August

Performers here have to have a "look" and this is what he came up with, based on how he used to dress back home. Your friend has it right, if he likes it I don't see what the big deal is, or why this means he's "selling out". What would NOT "selling out" involve, exactly?
lipscombe at 08:10 AM JST - 6th August

What would NOT "selling out" involve, exactly?

choosing his own clothes, his own marketing, choosing his art over money, basically not doing anything the entertainment BUSINESS/INDUSTRY deems as standard pratice. plenty do it, still make money, become famous and keep their self respect
dennis0bauer at 03:18 PM JST - 6th August

Will Jero be the new Yon-sama?