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5 Shocking Facts Behind "I'm The Only Ching That Could Say": The Khantrast Controversy Explained

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The viral lyric "I'm the only ching that could say" has become one of the most debated and controversial lines in modern hip-hop, sparking a massive online discussion about racial slurs, cultural ownership, and the boundaries of artistic expression. As of December 2025, the phrase is inextricably linked to the Asian-American rapper Khantrast and his breakout drill track, "Landed In Brooklyn," a song that catapulted him into the spotlight not just for its hard-hitting sound but for its provocative use of racial language. This deep dive explores the full context of the line, the identity of the artist behind it, and why this single bar continues to dominate conversations across social media and the music industry. The line is a self-referential moment of defiance, using a derogatory slur directed at people of East Asian descent ("ching") to assert the rapper's unique position. The controversy is compounded by the fact that the line serves as a prelude to a second, even more contentious linguistic choice, making the song a lightning rod for debates on who has the right to reclaim or use certain words.

Khantrast's Profile: The Asian-American Rapper Behind the Bar

The man at the center of this cultural firestorm is the New York-based artist known as Khantrast.

  • Real Name: Anthony Zhang
  • Origin: Brooklyn, New York
  • Date of Birth: December 17, 1998
  • Age: 27 (as of late 2025)
  • Ethnicity: Asian-American
  • Career Start: Debuted in 2019 with the single 'Build with me'
  • Musical Style: Initially gained recognition for his "anime rap," but successfully transitioned into the New York drill and mixed-genre hip-hop scene, known for his dynamic freestyles and sharp lyricism.
  • Key Tracks: "Landed In Brooklyn," "Rush Hour," "Chinatowns Favorite"

Anthony Zhang, performing as Khantrast, first built a following through his impressive freestyling ability and his early work in the niche genre of anime-themed rap. His transition to the gritty, authentic sound of Brooklyn drill was a deliberate move to showcase his versatility and roots in the New York City hip-hop landscape. This rebrand culminated in the release of "Landed In Brooklyn," a track that not only paid homage to his home borough but also contained the controversial line that would define his mainstream recognition.

The Full Context of "Landed In Brooklyn" and the Controversial Line

The song "Landed In Brooklyn" is a hard-hitting drill anthem that details Khantrast's experiences and ambitions, weaving together themes of street life, family loyalty, and his unique identity as an Asian-American rapper in a predominantly Black and Hispanic genre.

The line "I'm the only ching that could say..." is a moment of raw, unvarnished self-identification. It’s an attempt to reclaim a racial epithet that has historically been used to mock or demean people of Asian descent. By using the term himself, Khantrast asserts ownership over the word, turning a slur into a badge of identity and defiance within the context of his music.

However, the line's true viral power—and the resulting controversy—comes from what follows. The full, censored context of the bar is understood to be: "I’m the only ching that could say [the N-word]."

This couplet immediately expands the debate from self-reclamation to cultural appropriation. Khantrast, an Asian-American artist, is using his identity to justify his use of a slur historically directed at the Black community. The complexity of the statement is what has kept the conversation fresh and relevant since the song's release, making it a staple of reaction videos and cultural commentary.

The Cultural Firestorm: Why the Lyric Still Sparks Debate

The viral success of "Landed In Brooklyn" and its most famous lyric thrust Khantrast into the center of a complex cultural discussion that touches upon race, privilege, and the rules of hip-hop.

The debate can be broken down into several key entities and arguments:

1. The Reclaiming of "Ching":

For many, Khantrast's use of "ching" is seen as a powerful act of reclamation, similar to how other marginalized groups have re-appropriated slurs. It's an assertion that an Asian-American artist can be authentically "hood" or "drill" without erasing his background. By using the word, he challenges the traditional stereotypes of Asian men in popular culture.

2. The Controversy of the N-Word:

The primary source of the firestorm is the second part of the line. Khantrast's use of the N-word as an Asian-American rapper is viewed by many critics as crossing a line into cultural appropriation. The argument is that no amount of personal experience growing up in Brooklyn can grant an outsider the right to use a word deeply rooted in the history of Black oppression. Reaction videos and social media posts frequently question his right to say the word, often leading to calls for him to be "cancelled."

3. The Brooklyn Drill Context:

The genre itself plays a major role. Brooklyn drill is known for its raw, unfiltered, and often provocative lyricism. Khantrast’s supporters argue that his lyrics are a reflection of his environment—growing up in New York City and being immersed in its diverse, yet racially charged, culture. They contend that his authenticity comes from his lived experience, not his racial background.

4. Khantrast's Response and Intent:

While Khantrast has not released a single, definitive statement that satisfies all critics, his overall artistic direction suggests the line is a deliberate provocation designed to generate discussion about identity and gatekeeping in hip-hop. He has embraced his role as a voice for the Asian-American experience in a genre where they are underrepresented, often referencing his roots and the Asian community (e.g., "Chinatowns Favorite").

The debate boils down to whether an artist's personal and geographical proximity to a culture grants them linguistic permission. Khantrast’s lyric forces listeners to confront their own biases about who belongs in the drill scene and who is allowed to use the language of the streets.

The Legacy and Topical Authority of the Lyric

The phrase "I'm the only ching that could say" has cemented Khantrast's place in the modern rap conversation as a figure who is unafraid to tackle complex racial dynamics head-on. The song's success, including a remix with fellow New York rapper Kyle Richh, proves that the provocative nature of the lyric did not deter its popularity.

The controversy ensures that Khantrast's name remains a relevant entity in discussions about Asian-American representation in hip-hop, cultural gatekeeping, and the evolution of the Brooklyn drill scene. As of late 2025, the debate continues to be a fresh point of discussion, especially as new artists from diverse backgrounds enter the rap landscape. Khantrast’s line serves as a permanent marker for the ongoing, complex negotiation of identity and language in the 21st-century music world.

5 Shocking Facts Behind
i'm the only ching that could say
i'm the only ching that could say

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