Native American Music Awards embrace Chinese star Ayi Jihu

Chinese star Ayi Jihu makes history presenting at the Native American Music Awards with Angela DeMontigny and Terri Lynn
On the American side of the Border with Canada a stones throw away from Niagara Falls in the Seneca Casino and Hotel complex, Native American and Canadian artists celebrated the best of their culture, music and vibe at the 14th NAMA (Native American Music Awards). They were joined by Chinese Star Ayi Jihu, herself a Yi Native, to pay tribute and award those from their community who had shone most brightly in 2012.
Like many of you reading this, we had no idea the native American Indian community even had an award ceremony. We were oblivious to the Native American music scene and we had no idea what to expect. What we discovered was a vibrant Native American music community and scene and it has amazing artists who would top any chart in RnB, Hip Hop, pop, blues, soul as well as its own distinct music and identity.
Having been to quite a few award ceremonies around the world, the first thing that struck me about the NAMA’s was the people that attended it. The moment you walk into the building you are aware that you are surrounded by characters, personalities, talent and passion. There was not a tux in site. Everywhere you looked people were saying something with what they were wearing, the diversity in the way people dressed gives you a clue to the distinctiveness in the style and music of the event itself. You will see everything from Traditional native regalia to ‘blinged out’ street style and all in between and for some reason which we could not quite figure out, it just works. It’s beyond just being cool, it’s interesting and for the most part very real.

Top Native Fashion Designer and Stylist Angela DeMontigny styles Chinese Star Ayi Jihu for NAMA awards
Ayi Jihu was styled by Top Native designer Angela DeMontigny. She is no stranger to this event and has dressed many of the native community’s biggest stars. It is her relationship with Chinese star Ayi Jihu however that is finally getting her the recognition she deserves and the dress she designed and styled Ayi Jihu in was definitely a show stopper.
The rich diversity and style at the NAMAs was evident everywhere and gave us a hint of what was to come on stage.
Ayi Jihu and Angela DeMontigny were presenting an Award together with Native Star Terri Lynn. Terri Lynn who is also styled by Angela DeMontigny looked stunning in her designs on and off stage. She was nominated in several categories.
Terri Lynn with her husband prominent native artist, Robert Davidson
The NAMA’s showcased many genres of Native American music from the traditional to the new. Artists like Jana Mashonee who performed with rapper ‘The Boy Illinois’ represent the pop side of the Native American music scene. She has won several awards in the past.
The traditional artists and music at the NAMA’s also makes this event a little different. The Native American Music community has some amazing vocalist and performers.
The grooves and melodies from Native American Music seem to have many elements that we hear in popular music today. The use of the drum is also very similar to how drums are used in African culture and music as well as Asian Music and culture.
Thrown up in between the traditional and the new are artists like Indian Elvis.
We had access to all areas at the NAMA’s and found the spirit and friendliness of the Artist, organizers and fans beyond anything we had experienced before. It made us wonder why the Native American Music community has remained such a secret. The talent in their ranks is comparable to much we have now also.

Chinese Star Ayi Jihu with Indian Elvis, Native Star Terri Lynn and Top Native Fashion Designer Angela DeMontigny
Native Legends like Russell Means star of oscar winning movies like ‘Last of the Mohicans’ (Who sadly passed away) where honoured at the event. The wife of Russell Means picked up his award.
Ayi Jihu met with many of the award winning Native artists at the NAMA’s.
Hoop Dancer Tony Duncan who has performed with several major well known stars on their videos and was introduced to the world by Nelly Furtado won who won the Artist of the year award, was an example of the talent, dignity and humility of many of the Native American artist we saw on the night.

Chinese star Ayi Jihu with Tony Duncan ‘Artist of the year’ at the Native American Music Awards 2013
- Native American Music Awards, some of the stars, winners and faces
- Native American Music Awards, some of the stars, winners and faces
- Ayi Jihu at the Native American Music Awards
- Native American Music Awards, some of the stars, winners and faces
- Ayi Jihu at the Native American Music Awards
- Native American Music Awards, some of the stars and faces
- Native American Music Awards, some of the stars and faces
- Tony Dunan performs at the NAMA’s
Watching Ayi Jihu alongside Native Fashion Designer and Haida star Terri Lynn present at the NAMA’s was a nice bit of history, but to us it was also a clue as to why the Native American music scene has not perhaps realised it full potential as yet. Artist like Nelly Furtado are far and few between, when you see just how much talent there is within the Native American community you realize that getting themselves out there in the right light (for them) is perhaps their hardest battle.
We spoke to Ayi Jihu after she award ceremony and asked her how she felt about being the first Chinese artist to do what she did and what she felt about the NAMAs?

Chinese star Ayi Jihu speaks at the NAMA Awards with Native Designer Angela DeMontigny and Native Star Terri Lynn
“Firstly I want to thank Terri Lynn and then the NAMA’s for inviting me here and making me feel so welcome and at home. I also want to say a big thank you to Angela DeMontigny who not only styled myself and Terri Lynn but who also made this whole thing happen. I feel privileged to be here. I feel a great responsibility to represent my people well and I see the same thing here among the Native American music community. I was not on stage for very long and I did not say very much, but I was aware of the significance of everything and just hope that my presence here will turn a few eyes towards the Native American community in a positive way as well as help people all over the world see that we are all in fact just one people. Sounds like big words but it is so true.

Ayi Jihu with Haida Native singing star Terri Lynn and Top Native Fashion designer and stylist Angela DeMontigny at the NAMA awards.
Everyone I met here was so interesting and kind. I did not feel like an outsider or someone who was here for the first time. I felt very much at home. There are many things my people [Yi People of China] have in common with the Native American community, from our love of music to the strong connection we have with our culture, history, traditions and our land. It’s a shame that these types of events are not broadcast to the kids of the world so they can see there is more than one way of being, more than one way vision of how things can be.
I hope the Native American Music community will invite me again and others like me to participate in their celebrations so that the world begins to take notice of all they have to bring to the table. I have seen some truly amazing artist tonight, singers, dancers musicians and comedians. They are so very talented these people.
I had a great time, learnt a lot and I have been inspired by much I saw and experienced. There is a great passion within the Native American music community. Nothing seems to be done just for the sake of it or just to sell stuff. There is a meaning and a reason behind every word and action when they perform and sing. I love this.”
- Native American Music Awards
- Chinese star Ayi Jihu with Top Native Designer Angela DeMontigny and her daughter
- Native American Music Awards
- Native American Music Awards
- Native American Music Awards
- Native American Music Awards
For more information about Ayi Jihu visit her website www.Ayijihu.com
You can find out more about Top Native Fashion designer and stylist Angela DeMontigny by visiting her website www.AngelaDemontigny.com
Find out more about Haida Native singer Terri Lynn here
Discover more about the Native American Music scene and the NAMA’s here
Ayi Jihu – Stealing A Generation – Cambodia’s unfolding tragedy
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Ayi Jihu
Chinese star Ayi Jihu Still believes it’s all about Love with her new single ‘It’s Magic’
The long awaited Ayi Jihu single has finally arrived. The artist referred to as ‘The Chinese Madonna’ has not released a new track for almost a year concentrating and her philanthropic endeavors and her Fear Chaser film. Ayi fans have been waiting a long time to see what this trailblazing artist would do next.
It just would not be Ayi Jihu or Shlepp Entertainment if they did anything anyone expected them to do now would it, and once again they stay true to their history and surprise as all again. Not that we should be surprised from a Chinese artist that coins a word no other international Chinese artist can, Independent. An artist that has broken the rules and made her own path from day one.

The new single is called 'It's Magic'and it includes 5 mixes all together. 'So what's so surprising about that I hear you ask? Well for an artist well known for her provocative lyrics and style, and at a time when music is getting faster and more dance orientated, Ayi has opted to release a love song with pop overtones and under 120bpm. It's Magic is not what many would have expected from Ayi Jihu. There is no effort here to 'Keep up with the Jones's'. This is a beautiful, well crafted song about love, emotion, commitment and loyalty.
The video is a little different too. It’s a mini movie, telling a story, with a twist. In order to get her story across Ayi opted to make two versions of the video, the longer one fleshing the story out a bit more and filling in some of the gaps one cannot fill in 3.30 seconds. A lot of thought and passion has gone into this track from Ayi. The presentation of the music artwork and website all have a distinct movie look. When we questioned Ayi about this she said, She did not want to just make a song and throw it out there, she wanted to make a statement whether people listened to it or not.
You will never get to far away from RnB with Ayi and even with it’s definite pop style, you can still hear and feel the RnB in this track. It’s one of those songs that if you listen to it more than once, you know it and you are singing it, like it or not. We feel quite a few people will like this and we feel even more people will associate themselves with the story and sentiment that Ayi is trying to get across.
For those of you who like their music with a a 4 to the floor vibe, don’t panic. Ayi Jihu linked up with the Trinity Band and their remix of the song takes it in a whole other direction while keeping the sentiment, it goes from a more melancholy affair to a an upbeat dance and sing along happier track. Featuring live music and vocals from the Trinity Band who have come a long way since they almost grabbed the top prize on Sky’s Must be the Music’.
Add to that a sultry Blues and Soul Duet remix featuring Chicago born new comer Rapheal Rar Miller and you have a package that has a little bit of something for everyone.
It’s Magic has a lot going on. The whole project kinda takes you back to the days when singles meant something and artist did not throw one out every couple of weeks as seems to be the trend these days. It even has a trailer!
Whether or not the public will take to the way Ayi Jihu and Shlepp Records are presenting their music remains to be seen, one thing for sure is you get more than value for money here. Do we expect Ayi Jihu to change and do what everyone else is doing in the way they are doing it…..Nope, She never really has, so why should she start now? There is a lot to Ayi Jihu’s it’s Magic indeed, you only have to visit the website to see the whole look and feel is not like any other. You get the story, the making of, find out who did what, and much, much more. See for yourself. Visit www.loveismagic.co.uk we think you will be more than a little surprised again.
Yep it seems that Shlepp and Ayi have thought of just about everything on this single release. There truly is something for everyone here. For those of you who like your Ayi Old skool, there is a really cool video you can watch here called Music Motion Dance. This is for those who like the more raw edgy Ayi of Smak Dat, the Girl who took Macau by Storm and has since gone on to be on the verge of Mega success worldwide. We can only assume Ayi wanted to put this in to remind her fans that As she grows she will never abandon her roots, her love of Ragga, RnB, Hip Hop and all things Urban. Good to know Ayi. Click on any of the Screen shots below to watch the video
It Just would not be Ayi Jihu if there was not some time of Charity of Philanthropy involved. Ayi Jihu is one of the few artist we know that seems to marry her ‘Giving back’ side and her Artist side very well. She has being doing so from day one, which leads one to believe that this is who she really is rather than something she feels she has to do for appearance sake. This time it’s Help for Heroes and once you listen to the song and more importantly watch the promo video (better yet the Extended video) You will understand more why Ayi has chosen this particular Charity to work with on this project.
Yep Ayi is back in the Musical limelight again with a whole new look and swagga. Her new style courtesy of Native Canadian Designer Angela DeMontigny (designer of the new FearChaser® Costume for the FearChaser® Film) suites her well.
You will be able to listen to all the mixes, watch all the videos. You even get to sing-a-long to a Karaoke version if you want. There are great deals on offer on the website, you can purchase from Itunes or your normal online store or you can take advantage of one of the many deals on offer direct from Shlepp which includes bonus singles, wallpapers and lots of other cool stuff.
It’s Magic is released on April the 1st 2013 You can order your copy now on Pre-sale, or you can get the single on the site with one of the many special offers available.
Every Day it seems thousands of people release a single somewhere, every now and then something comes along that grabs your attention a little bit more than the norm and this is one of those things. The whole project from the music to the videos, images, is classy, well thought out and expansive. For once it seems you will get more than Value for hard earned cash. Do yourself a favour and goto www.loveismagic.co.uk You may well get a surprise.
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