Interviews

V1NO

“This is Who I Am”: An Interview & Introduction to V1NO (fka Paul Shin)

If you’ve read anything from me at all, you know I relish the opportunity to talk to any and all artists. I have a particular soft spot for independent artists trying to get the recognition they desperately need and certainly deserve. They all have intriguing stories and perspectives that many with much more to lose are less wont to express. The most recent artist to open up to me is Paul Shin, now known by his stage name V1NO. He’s another in the small circle of Korean-American rappers that have blessed me with both their music and their friendship.

BIBI

“Let’s Just Keep It Real”: An Interview with Feel GHood Music’s BIBI

Feel GHood Music has long been a place for young artists in Korea’s hip-hop and R&B scenes to have a place to flourish. Yoonmirae and Tiger JK certainly have given the newest generation of artists fertile ground to learn and grow. One of the latest additions to their roster is R&B newcomer BIBI, a vocalist with a whimsical charm and interesting vocal color. She took time to answer some questions for us at the end of 2019.

LATE LEE

“I’m a Different Artist”: An Interview with LATE LEE

It’s hard for me to put into words what Joe Lee means to me. Known by his current stage name, LATE, this young man has done so much to push himself forward, to propel his craft that I just sometimes sit back like a proud sister in awe of his growth. In all of that growth, that evolution, one thing is unchanged: his absolute honesty. 

Eyedi

“I Try to Show My Honest Self”: An Interview with Retro-R&B Artist Eyedi

One of the more interesting interviews I did late in 2019 was with Eyedi. On the surface, she might seem like a delicate girl. A shy young lady who makes romantic music for the more “idol”-based pop industry. However, when one gets to know her, Eyedi is an incredibly intuitive artist. Concerned about the state of the world. She took some time before Christmas to answer some questions for us.

Eyedi: A Woman of Many Colors

Could you introduce yourself to the HiphopKR readers?

Hello! I’m Eyedi. I am a retro-based R&B musician, and it feels great saying hello to everyone.

Throughout your career, you’ve made music in multiple genres. “Mix B” has a variety of colors to it. There’s pop, some R&B, and ballads. Is there a genre that you really want to focus on? Or do you prefer to make music from multiple genres?

“Mix B” means “Multiple of Brands Mixed.” It means that every single song listed is a single brand. I wanted to let people hear variety of songs on my first regular album. But the basic base of my debut song “Sign,” “Caffeine,” and recently released “& New” is retro, so I will continue to make songs in this genre.

When you write lyrics, are you more focused on your own life? Or do you like to create stories?

It depends on the vibe of the song. The lyrics of “Sign” and “Tomorrowland” is more about my experience, but I made stories to fit the vibe for some other ones.

Great Experiences

How was your experience at MU:CON?

As MU:CON is a global music market, many people from the overseas music industry participated. I feel honored to share my music on such an event. It is also very special to me, as I’ve been selected as a K-pop Vocalist for three years in a row.

You’ve worked with Loopy a few times. How did you two meet? What has your experience been like working with him?

I got to know Loopy on YouTube before his debut in Korea. He wasn’t that known yet. Before his debut, I was so impressed with a few of his videos, and I contacted him because I wanted to work with him, and he willingly joined.

He is very kind, but he is a very professional and meticulous musician. I think that’s why my debut song “Sign” came out great. 

There is an acoustic version of “Sign,” and I recommend you to listen to that one as Loopy re-recorded his rap on that one.

For the English version of “CHAPTER 21,” you worked with Mario Winans. How did that come about?

I often get inspiration from the music of the past rather than the trendy ones. I still like to listen to TLC or Babyface, etc. 

So I always wanted to work with legendary pop musicians I got inspiration from or I liked to listen to. Then I happened to make a song that required a male vocal. While looking for a vocal that suits the vibe, Mario Winans popped into my head. 

I sent him a love call with the explanation of the song, and apparently he was interested in K-pop. That’s how I got to work with him, and I plan to work with more legendary pop musicians in the future. 

MIXNINE & Other Realities

Can you talk about your experience competing on “MIXNINE”? What was the most important thing you learned from competing on that show?

On casting, the production crews of “MIXNINE” did not explain it was an idol audition program. They told me it is a program that introduces various musicians of Korea.

But I don’t regret it. It was a stage I can never experience in a normal life. 

After the show, CEO Yang Hyunsuk offered me a debut as a member of YG Girl Group; I think it was a good experience as I got recognized by that much.

Do you think survival shows like “MIXNINE” are helpful for artists?

I think survival show would be a great help for those who want to introduce themselves to the audience. But if the musician has a solid identity, I don’t think it will be a great help.

You were on the music dating show “Studio Vibes.” How did you happen to get on that show?

I received an offer from the producer; the concept of many musicians staying together for a month was very fresh, and I decided to be on it thinking that a pure group of musicians staying together would have a lot to learn from each other. And until the shooting day, all members of the group did not know who would be on that group.

What was the experience being on a dating show?

Producers told me that we will be doing various music works while staying together, But in reality, I couldn’t do music. (laugh) Because men and women were staying together, the shooting atmosphere couldn’t be helped but to be about dating.

I couldn’t do proper music works, but I was able to befriend musicians I’ve never met before, so just by that it is a happy memory.  

Eyedi Faces the Pressures of the Public

As someone who has been in front of the world (on both “MIXNINE” and “Studio Vibes”) it can be hard trying to please a big audience. Do you feel pressure to try to be appealing to many people? If so, how do you deal with that pressure?

Hmm… Not that big pressure. Although it’s a broadcast, I try to show my honest, usual self. Even the company makes me feel easy about being on the show by saying “have fun.”

Do you think that there are different pressures/expectations for female artists? If so, why do you think that is and how do you feel about it?

I think the environment for the female artists is getting better and better. Even if there is an unfair side, If I do my work at my position perfectly, I think the environment will gradually change, so I don’t think much about it.

You mention that people often compare you to IU because of your look. I know you wish more people would focus on your music. Do you think there’s too much emphasis on looks rather than art? How do you personally want to get people to focus on your music rather than your looks?

The first thing I always wanted to say to my overseas fans is that I and my company never mentioned IU for marketing. But Yang Hyunsuk, the CEO of YG Ent., kept mentioning that I look like IU on every show and article I’ve been on. IU is definitely one of the musicians I respect and adore. But if people keep comparing me and IU for the appearance, I think I am doing wrong to her. I will do my best to be called as the second IU for my music, rather than the appearance.

Eyedi and Her Dreams

In an interview with OH! Press you mentioned you have interest in acting. What kind of shows or movies would you like to try? Are there any projects that you might be doing in the future?

I recently finished shooting independent movie and web drama. The web drama is currently revealed on YouTube, and I play as Nam, Yujin, my actual name. And I will be saying hello to you on other movies as well. I do have a project being planned right now, but I will let you know when things are set.

Do you still have dreams of going into fashion design?

Of course. Aside from music, my biggest interest is on fashion. If I have an opportunity, I will do fashion-related job. 

Eyedi Envisions a Better Tomorrow

You mentioned that “Tomorrowland” was part of a suicide prevention campaign. Can you tell us more about that?

On internet, I have seen the some people’s posts made right before they committed suicide. It’s normal to think they have left a lot in that posts, right? But in fact, the posts were very simple and flat. If someone was there by them, they would have been a great help to them; it’s sad that there was no one.

So the album I made to be the strength for those is “Tomorrowland.”

Eyedi_&_New

With the passing of many young artists in the past few years, the topics of mental health, cyberbullying, and suicide prevention are coming up more often. Why do you think suicide rates are so high?

I don’t think the world is healthy. This is a world where we are fast and easily exposed to the bad influences like virus. We are living in such an inevitable world, but I don’t think of it negatively.

What do you think needs to happen in order to lower the suicide rate?

I think I am where I am because of many people’s support and love. Families are like that too. So go and love some people. I still exist today for those whom I love and those who love me. 

Have you ever dealt with cyberbullying? If so, how do you handle it, and is there any advice you can give those dealing with it?

That’s not an easy talk. As a person who is known to the public, I actually appreciate those who make malicious comments rather than being completely ignored. 

Sometimes I see the comments who fights for me against those malicious comments, and some people cheers me up. Like I said earlier, we are living in a world where cyberbullying is inevitable. But I hope everyone to be mentally healthy. Don’t try to fight with them.

Eventually everyone will feel like nothing ever happened. 

Inspirations & Role Models

You mentioned that you love R&B and Soul music (Remy Shand, Raphael Saadiq, PJ Morton, etc.). How did you get interested in artists like these? What about R&B and Soul do you connect to?

I really like acoustic sound. That’s why I enjoy listening to Soul music, and I enjoy listening R&B of ’90s rather than trendy future sound ones.

In your interview with Deer Zone, you mentioned that you don’t want to think of one person or artist as a “role model” (for fear of trying to sound like them). Do you think it’s hard to be a fan of someone and not try to emulate their style? How do you separate yourself from artists you admire?

Firstly it’s hard for me to pick a person as a role model. I grew up listening to many musicians, and it may change depending on the environment I’m living at. 

Easily put, I think it is difference on the love and like. I’d like to like and enjoy more musicians rather than fall in love with someone, and that’s why I said “I don’t have a role model.”

What the Future Brings for Eyedi

What’s a genre that you’ve never tried before but you’d really like to try in the future?

I want to do some music in the times of Motown, and I want to make my own band to make unplugged album. I am actually planning to make a band right now.

What can fans expect from you in the future?

On December 8, I announced a song in collaboration with Kevin Wild (a.k.a. Bad Royale) who is an American EDM musician. He is a famous producer who has worked with Steve Aoki, Mazor Lazer, and others. I think it was a good experience trying out electronic genre which I don’t usually try.

Any final thoughts?

I will do my best to see you on overseas stage as well. Please give me a lot of support, and I will say hi again with EP album in February 2020 and on a new movie. 


Eyedi certainly is a surprising artist. While vocally she has a softer tone, she has the heart of a tiger. She has an incredibly positive vision for the future. Such fearlessness and positive energy bodes well for her 2020. Be on the lookout for Eyedi. She’s destined for something great next year!

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Interview answers in English provided by Bace Camp Studio

dress

Beyond Hip-Hop: An Interview with Producer dress

Very rarely do you get a chance to talk to a producer. Truly delve within the craft of creating the music of the artists you love. However, when you do get those opportunities, they can truly be some of the most enlightening experiences. Producer dress has made a name for himself as one of the most creative among hip-hop artists. But his scope and vision make him so much more. A true artist with a hand in every aspect of the music business. He took some time to answer a few questions for us.

Samuel Seo

“I’m a Simple Guy”: An Interview with Samuel Seo

To be honest, when I started writing this interview, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take it. How much should I really reveal here? Believe me, I went back and forth about this. Samuel Seo has everything I love in an artist: fearlessness, passion, and a big mouth. But how do I show that honestly without potentially getting him in some hot water? I found my answer in something he said to me during our conversation: “I’m just being honest, sis.”

jackson-titanic

Jackson Wang’s “Raw, Authentic Self”: “TITANIC” Review & Interview

[Rich] Brian and I joined forces to make the best track to vibe out to with ‘Titanic.’ This song is all about getting hype, dancing, and having fun. I’m proud that we are representing Asian cultures together with this collaboration.”

–HiphopKR interview with Jackson Wang

There’s nothing more satisfying as a fan of music than character development. There are some artists whom you desperately want to like for the merits of the craft. But somewhere along the line they fall short of what you really want for them. Ultimately, you want them to tap into their potential. Jackson Wang is one such artist. Someone brimming with talent, ambition, and an obvious need to get something out of him. An artist whom I’ve always wanted to truly tap into his potential.

TITANIC

With his latest release, “TITANIC,” Wang has found his voice. Damn, does it ever smack you in the face!

Okay, as much as I want to dig into the imagery of this piece, I have to get one thing out of the way. Who the hell is this dude?! Yes, yes. I know Jackson Wang, rapper, dancer, Olympic fencer of JYP K-pop group GOT7. However, whoever this dude is, is not that guy. Wang has been working toward making a name for himself beyond the K-pop visage of his group. His efforts, in my humble opinion, have been hit or miss. I could always tell there was something grittier beneath the surface. Ultimately, however, I just saw attempts at replicating hip-pop trends. (At the end of the day, all style, no substance.)

Then “TITANIC” crosses my desk. Within the first fifteen seconds I had to stop the video. With production from Falcons, the track itself is a work of barely contained aggression. As he revealed in our email interview, “This song is all about getting hype, dancing, and having fun.” That being said, “TITANIC” does so much more than serve as a typical club bop.

Familiar sounds, straight out of P Diddy’s New York. That’s what initially got me. That sound is a piece of my childhood. Record scratches meant to mimic a brush against a cymbal. Hip hop-laced jazz conventions with classic breakbeats. Wang held his own with it. Lyrically it’s your typical bit of puff and bombastic bravado. If you’re gonna do the thing, you gotta do the damn thing. Wang definitely did his thing. With a whispered chorus that hits like a roar, he made a loud point: I came to do work!

Rich Brian

Wang is rude here. Gritty. There’s something undeniably rough about the song’s makeup. It’s unpretty, unapologetic. What you get here is a man who knows his mind. Knows exactly who he wants to be and what he wants the world to see in him.

Working with Indonesian-Chinese rapper Rich Brian added even more texture to the piece. The 88Rising rapper is known for his snarky lyricism and more recently his penchant for biting introspection. His contribution carved a deeper crag of realism to the glossy veneer of Wang’s K-pop doppelgänger.

“88rising has always been my family and we’ve always supported each other,” Wang says. “We were friends, and then started to work together. I’ve been a fan of Brian for a really long time. I am so grateful that he wanted to do a verse on ‘Titanic.’ We met for the first time when we shot that video.”

New Directions

Wang doesn’t exactly have a presence in K-hip hop circles. That’s half a product of not actually being Korean and half because, speaking truthfully, he hasn’t proven that he has the chops to contend. Granted, you could say that about at least half of the K-hip hop scene anyway. But it’s a harder case to make when you come from the world of K-pop. (And as part of the former “Big 3,” no less.)

What does he do? He waits. He waits and he works. Make no mistake, it took a lot for Wang to get where he is now. Tracks like “Papillon” and “Fendiman” doing little more than rehashing music from the States that, while not exactly artistic masterpieces in and of themselves, has origins that he just has no experience with. Then he releases “Bullet to the Heart,” and I started to pay attention.

“I wanted to create a song that showed my raw, authentic self. ‘Bullet to the Heart’ is such an emotional song that really tells the story of the recent hardships I’ve gone through in my life. I think that [‘Bullet to the Heart’] is different because of that. It has some of my hardest moments embedded in the song and video through the melody and production.”

A Titanic Image

“TITANIC” is a bold statement from a K-pop perspective, certainly. It’s the type of fearless energy we expect from hip hop. However, we don’t get much of that same fearlessness from its fluffier peer in pop. It’s a question of control. As Wang branches out and builds a career separate from his group’s musical confines, social media must play a role. After all, we are in an era that, love it or hate it, seems to dictate the trajectory of someone’s career. Wang has had his fair share of controversy, but he’s also tried to be meticulous in how his image comes across on social media.

“I think that social media is very important because that’s where I can interact with all of the people that support me. Social media does allow me to express my real self, whether it is with the group or solo actually.”

The Video

Never mind the song being something of a revelation as far as Wang’s career. The video is a testament to just how calculated he is. Just how much control he has over every aspect of his solo career. Director Brendan Vaughn has worked with the likes of Migos, 5SOS, and Travis Scott. His aesthetic is brooding, moody, and focused. It’s a fitting match for a man who proclaims to want desperately to show the world who he really is.

“Brendan and I worked together to come up with the concept. It was important to me to work with the Kinjaz as well. I wanted to showcase dance choreography in a more hip-hop way, and make a dope video to match the vibe of the song.”

He continues, “Kinjaz are my brothers, we’ve been working together for a while now!”

It’s smart, period. There was every opportunity for him to go for something ostentatious, colorful. However, he and Vaughn opted for the classic black-and-white motif. With the added monochrome effect, we as viewers are forced to zero in on every movement, every lyrical inflection.

The video’s imagery draws almost directly from the film’s premise: the failed voyage of the legendary RMS Titanic itself. Most notably the image of the car. While it was the scene where our two protagonists in the film cemented their romance, Wang and Brian seemingly act as the waves that wash it all away. The car rapidly filling with water after hitting something weighty enough to sink what was meant to be the mightiest ocean liner to ever sail.

“TITANIC” could very well be Jackson Wang’s ultimate declaration of “I am!” He enters the screen slow, rising from a sitting position. An iceberg sneaking into your line of sight through the darkness. From there, the beat comes in like the first impact of that ice. At that point Wang and Brian cut into your expectations and tear through them like tissue paper. (Water everywhere, the car nearly completely submerged, then slowly sinking into a puddle.)

Conclusion

“TITANIC” is a beast of a track. Just as its name suggests, it storms in fast and hard, made of iron and fire. If the track is anything to go by, this is the tip of a very large iceberg. This is a new era for Jackson Wang. If he continues along this path, giving audiences his “raw, authentic self,” there’s a chance we’ll look back on “TITANIC” as the moment he went from K-pop pretty boy to competent rapper.


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