A Vancouver songwriter known as handwash has developed a fanatical local following for his rapid-fire raps in Yue Chinese (Cantonese). That was on display last year as he closed with Jade Music Fest with a wildly energetic set that transformed the Annex into a full-on dance party.
He sometimes plays on Asian cultural stereotypes, such as in his gritty 2022 video for his song “East Side”. It features handwash, a.k.a. Hon Lam Chan, as a guerilla-style hip-hop artist prowling through Vancouver’s Chinatown.
His lyrics brazenly declare in Yue Chinese that he’s here to shut you down.
Jhonny Jaques directed and shares the videography and lighting credits for the “East Side” video with Andrés Guerrero. Jaques and handwash shared the writing and post-production credits.
Check out handwash’s “East Side” video with English subtitles.
Recently, however, handwash revealed a more playful side of himself in a new video for his “Juggle (Chill Out)” single. Sung in English, it opens with the rapper lying on his back hearing the words “Good morning.”
It’s the start of another chaotic day as handwash starts singing from this position.
“People tell me every day how I’m supposed to do this, how I’m supposed to do that, do it like this, like that,” he declares.
Then comes a voice from off-screen urging him to “Chill Out!”
In “Juggle (Chill Out)”, handwash reflects on the demands imposed on young folks.
Identity can be a juggling act for handwash
The tone is lighthearted and fun, but there’s a serious point. Young people like handwash have to juggle this and juggle that—at work and school, at home, with finances, and on social media. He even sings about having to juggle his identity. And it’s taking a toll.
Elias Cherni directed the “Chill Out” video, with Richard Witting as director of photography and Sophia Graziani as production designer.
On Labour Day (September 2), handwash will perform at Vancouver TAIWANfest with the Third Culture Collective. It includes other Vancouver musicians with Hong Kong roots, such as Kei Valetines, Shinlok, James Tseung, and Crayon.
Watch handwash perform at the 2023 Jade Music Fest.
To see more handwash videos, visit his YouTube channel. Follow Pancouver on X (formerly Twitter) @PancouverMedia and on Instagram @PancouverMedia.
