Watch Out: Lil Jon Plays Spark April 22

If you heard that crunk megastar Lil Jon is playing ROOMbeijing this month, stop right there: He'll still be playing on April 22, but promoters Street Hustle tell us his scheduled one-hour set has been moved to all-conquering megaclub Spark. Which sounds like good news to us. We asked Lil Jon some questions as he packed his crunk for Beijing.

Did you ever make it this far East when you were with the East Side Boyz?
No, this is my first time coming out to China, but I have been to Japan and many other places this far east before. China is like the final frontier.

What’s making you say "Yeah" at the moment?
Ultra Music festival is what is making me say "Yeah" right now. We were just down there in Miami, with lots of DJs in front of about 50,000 fans. The was a lot of cool stuff happening there that I am very excited about.

How Crunk are you on a scale of one to "too crunk"?
The most crunk! How could you ask me a question like that? Who could be more crunk than the crunk master?

As a keen entrepreneur, do you feel disappointed that you didn’t win Celebrity Apprentice?
No, I think the best guy won, and what I went on the Celebrity Apprentice to achieve, I did. I'm just happy that I could bring awareness to my charity.

Who’s the better Lil Jon – is it you or the fellow from Robin Hood?
Ha ha ha! The fellow from Robin Hood never made it to Beijing, so based on that I think I am the one and only Lil Jon.

What do you think of the current state of rap music?
I believe that it is growing and evolving, especially with the Internet. Artists now have access to so many more people and so much music. I think that it is not as divided as it used to be. There is a lot more coming together now. I think more and more rappers are developing a plan that includes a more global outlook on their market growth.

Wikipedia says you own a winery or vineyard – are you bringing your Crunk Juice over to the China market?
No, we are no longer in the wine business. I wouldn't bring anything over to China except high energy. We all know China has strict policies on importing things.

You're famously upbeat for a rapper – do you ever feel like toning it down and being a moody gangster or some kind of social commentator?
I only do me. My personality is a part of what made me such a great success. Now people think that I am always screaming, but that's not true. My personality has taken me further then music could have taken me alone.

Lil Jon plays Spark on Apr 22. RMB 300 (guys), RMB 100 (girls). 10pm (Lil Jon expected to start around midnight)

PHOTO: Courtesy of the organizers