Rapper reveals ambitions behind bringing crunk to China

China might have Spring Festival, but American rapper Jonathan Smith (aka Lil Jon) plans to introduce Beijing to the unofficial American festival of Spring Break, a holiday when college students flock to have fun in the sun.

Touting recent alcohol-fueled single "Drink," the Atlanta-based hip-hop mogul brings his perpetual frat party to Spark this Sunday in the form of an hour-long DJ set, divulging his festival secret that works no matter where he is in the world.

"If you can get the women dancing, then the guys are going to follow," the Grammy-award winning rapper told the Global Times. "I read the crowd an hour before I go on, checking out ages, nationalities and watching what they're moving to," he added, explaining has one fallback track, "We Found Love," by R&B songstress Rihanna.

Starting as an underground DJ in the 90s, Smith later helped popularize the southern style of crunk characterized by heavy bass, slower beats and shouted call and response lyrics. What the latter lacks in poetry, it makes up for with popularity among heady clubgoers. Although his trademark catch cry of "Yeah" from the self-titled collaboration with Usher and Ludacris and sustained calls of "OK" have made him a target for lampoon, the 41-year-old isn't about to tone down his onstage antics for anyone.

"One of the only things that people are screaming at me wherever I go has definitely taken me further than music could have ever taken me. People always think I'm hollering those catch phrases, but it's not true," he said.

What is true is that Smith grew up skateboarding, with his rock influences fueling his 2010 album Crunk Rock. "I was listening to a lot of skate punk bands. If I didn't get into hip-hop maybe I'd be in a rock band because I'm known for my energy," he cackled behind platinum grilled teeth.

No matter how you spin it, hip-hop has gone from an underground movement to a universal phenomenon. However, hip-hop artists were late getting into the international circuit, Smith concedes.

"I think some rap artists aren't aware how big their music is worldwide," said Smith. "You're always amazed you can go to all these cities and people know your music."