When Mountain Brothers’ “Paperchase” 12-inch single was shipped out to a handful of writers (this one included) back in 1996, it was like living with a delightful secret. I tore off the shrink wrap, dropped the needle on the record, and from the speakers poured the MB’s supple instrumentation and nimble, three-way rhyme schemes — it was mind-blowing, too good not to share.
The standard procedure was to play “Paperchase” for people that loved hip-hop and heritage. Heads would bob; a giggle would turn into a satisfying laugh at their witty lines. “Who are these guys?” someone would ask, but you’d refrain until the song faded out, and then hit them with the facts: Mountain Brothers, they’re from Philly, and they’re … Asian American.
The response was unanimous — some combination of “WHAAAT?” and “No way!” The needle would drop again and again, head nodding more insistent, as the contagious feeling of shock dissipated and belief spread.
It’s been over 20 years since Mountain Brothers released their first album, “Self: Volume 1,” which contained “Paperchase,” as well as hot tracks “Galaxies: The Next Level” and “Whiplash.” But to fully appreciate what the Philly rap trio accomplished, it’s important to remember what hip-hop was like back then. Coastal beefs were boiling over, the South was rising, jeans were (*gasp*) extra baggy and backpackers weren’t confined to REI stores. Most of all, Asians were peripheral, at best, in the hip-hop game — perpetual winners of DJ contests but sorely underrepresented on the M-I-C.
It was in this environment that three friends — Christopher “Peril-L” Wang, Steve “Styles Infinite” Wei and Scott “CHOPS” Jung — rode in and became Asian America’s first hip-hop contenders. They adopted their name from the 108 mountain bandits in the Chinese novel “Water Margin.” They were young Taiwanese and Chinese American men doing their thing. Their tracks were nimble and organic, free of samples. Lyrically, they were the whole package — Styles with the sharp metaphors, Peril-L with the rugged lyricism, CHOPS with the witty punchlines.
During their label courtship days, Mountain Brothers experienced racism that would break Asian Twitter today. One rep suggested they dress up in karate gis, bring gongs on stage and battle for the mic like some deranged hip-hop chop-socky flick. It became so bad they sent out their demos without photos, instructing labels to contact them if the music moves them.
The trio broke up after releasing “Triple Crown” in 2003, but their influence continues on. They opened the door for artists like Dumbfoundead and Higher Brothers to be accepted and espoused a grassroots, DIY-or-bust ideology that 88rising has since taken worldwide.
Today, Mountain Brothers are done, but not out. Styles is a radiologist. Peril-L works as a scientist. CHOPS is still involved in music, building an enviable production and music supervision portfolio ranging from Chamillionaire to The Lonely Island to soundtracks for indie films “9-Man” and “Breathin’: The Eddy Zheng Story.” Listening to “Paperchase” again, its messages about materialism and originality remain timeless. Track down “Self: Volume 1” and experience an epochal moment in Asian American hip-hop.
This article appears in KORE’s October 2018 issue. Subscribe here.
