Read singer Junggigo‘s interview with Musinsa from December 2012 and watch the corresponding mini interview.
Beenzino – Dazed & Confused Interview
Read Dazed & Confused‘s interview with Beenzino about his album “2 4 : 2 6” from their September 2012 issue.
MY FIRST STORY
Beenzino, who has been active with Hot Clip and Jazzyfact, has released a solo album “2 4 : 2 6.” It is full of the life, lethargy, passion and despair of people in their twenties.
In your lyrics you say you become arrogant in the summer, how do you feel now after releasing your album?
I don’t think I’m satisfied with it, I myself had a problem with it somewhere, I had it hard somewhere, since I know after what kinds of ups and downs the album was made. In the beginning I didn’t even want to release an album. “Why release such an album?” I thought but now that it’s released, people like it and I like that I can sing new songs at concerts. Jazzyfact’s album was released in 2010 but I performed those songs until 2012, the people who called us to perform them are awesome and it’s fascinating that I still went to perform although I knew that [the songs were old] (laughs). Overall it’s an interesting mood, I have fun living these days.
What were you dissatisfied with?
After I made it, there were many soft songs. Right now I don’t seem to be in the right situation and mind to make songs that overflow with charisma. I think my current situation has been reflected quite well [in the album]. It’s as natural as possible and without any petty tricks, it’s my album.
Still, since you were chosen by Dazed, please tell us which parts you think you did well.
The way of expressing the “fishing ground” in “Aqua Man,” the hook of “Boogie On & On,” and the way of expressing a woman in the streets in “Nike Shoes.” I think those points are good, well, there are extremely many [I like] (laughs).
It’s an album that covers your thoughts and feelings from 24 to 26 years of age, what did you think of most while making the album?
I was dominated by many slumps and times of tiredness. After releasing the album I came to know that equally worse hardships were waiting for me and that it wasn’t only as fun as I had imagined it to be. Furthermore, random things like college kept me from concentrating and working when I wanted. I didn’t like the overall mood and environment. It also felt like a restriction to meet people I had to see for work and I wanted to get away as soon as possible. I was very tired so I think that’s why I put that camel on my album cover. I imagine the camel to walk slowly through the desert.
How was the situation when you wrote “If I die tomorrow?”
I wrote it when I wanted to be alone. I didn’t ponder on it long, I just thought “What should I write about?” and the song naturally came out. It’s not that I was extremely sad when I wrote it, I actually had fun writing it. I jokingly told my girlfriend “If I die, only let those people come that I’ve invited” and started to tell her who I’d invite. I wanted to be chic and just write a few people but once I started there were so many [people] (laughs). I have to invite that person too and this hyung as well … There were so many that I naturally came to a closure while writing it.
The way from a member of Jazzyfact to a solo album seems natural but the results of your solo work have a wide spectrum. There are cute as well as rough songs, aren’t you set on one genre?
No, when I listen to music I don’t listen to nothing but south hip hop, R&B or soul day and night, I also listen to rock sometimes. I’m quite capricious so I easily get sick of things, that’s why [the album has many genres]. But I think that my own style is inside of that. That’s why I think it won’t become a problem.
So when you get sick of singing these songs you will release another album?
I’d like to possibly release it when I’m the least tired of them, if it takes too long it’ll be too painful for me. I’ll feel outdated, just like worn-off clothes. If other people are singing new songs at concerts but only we [I and the featured artists] keep singing old songs, I don’t feel well. I’d like to release a single, an EP, a full album or a mixtape, anything, as soon as possible,
You also talk about your sponsor Carhartt as well as about times when you’re frustrated, it seems like the sensitive feelings of people in their twenties are expressed well in your lyrics.
I do have the must fun when my honest feelings are delivered. I think the songs “If I Die Tomorrow,” “Always Awake,” and “Vibra” from Jazzyfact’s album contain my real stories. I feel good when the words I wanted to say are delivered clearly to my opponent and that’s the same with music. I also used the words I made up when I was small as well as words which I think were made for rap. That way, I think I really wrote down the words I wanted to say in my lyrics and feel refreshed inside. I think that’s my highest priority when making music.
I heard you even made songs about the gap between rich and poor when you were younger?
Haha. Yes, I think I was thirteen years old?
How did you think of writing rap back then?
I think I wanted to. I don’t know how I started writing either, expressing myself was my main goal when I was small too, as I enjoyed painting and listening to music until four in the morning all by myself. There was nobody who’d complain if I played loud music at our house. Instead, when there was no music playing I thought “Why is there no music today? It’s so quiet, I can’t sleep.” I just naturally start doing something but I do remember the time I quit something very well. During high school I suddenly went to an acting school but it was too difficult so I immediately quit. I often think of that incident (laughs). I don’t think I remember the process of really wanting to do something and working towards it myself. It’s the same when starting to date someone, you can’t say when exactly you fell in love and with what exactly. You meet, become closer, converse and become even closer at one moment. I think it’s the same with music.
How much are you confident of and trust your own talent?
I absolutely don’t think I’m the best. I think I really lack a lot but I think I have enough [talent] to live doing what I want and enjoying life.
“A good flow, a good groove, good lyrics.” I’ve heard many different things but which elements of hip hop do you see as the most important ones?
I think the first time I released something, people said I have a good flow and a good groove. But back then, my lyrics and pronunciation were pointed out as problematic. That’s when I realized the importance of lyrics and started to give special attention to them. When you release an album, people tell you which lyrics they like. That makes me a lot happier than words like “a good sense of beat,” “a good groove” or “a good flow.” People listen to the songs, understand and feel them. That I produce those feelings in people makes me happy. I’m especially happy when there are people who understand the parts that I wrote with extra care. For example, in “Nike Shoes” there is this line: As tight as the line of your eyebrows in the wind of the river. So a girl is working out at the Han River wearing Nike shoes. While she’s working out, wind is blowing so she closes her eyes. Here I imagined her eyebrows take on the form of the Nike logo. I’m happy and thankful when anyone realizes those details and secret codes I’ve hidden [inside my lyrics].
You borrowed one line of Mac Miller’s “Nikes On My Feet.” Did that come to you right away when listening to the song or did it happen by accident?
Mac Miller’s line goes like this: Nikes on my feet keep my cypher complete. It means the Nikes I’m wearing make my rap complete, and hearing that made me want to tell about my ideal type, a girl wearing Nike shoes. That phrase actually originates from one of Nas’ songs. I reinterpreted it in my own way: Nikes on her feet make my love complete. The process of making the song was fun. My girlfriend wears lots of trainers too, she doesn’t wear heels often.
Wasn’t Carhartt sad [that the song is called “Nike Shoes”]?
No, the camel on my album cover is covered with a blanket and when you look at it closely, it says Carhartt on it. It’s a Carhartt blanket (laughs).
If you could let aliens who’ve never listened to hip hop before listen to one of the songs of your album, which one would you choose?
I’d like to let them listen to “If I Die Tomorrow.” It’s possible that the aliens invade and kill us, so if they listen to that song they might just think “Ah, we’ll let this guy live.”
EDITOR Jiyeon Nah
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[ SOURCE | BEENZINO FANPAGE ]
Please note that the website including the original post with the magazine scans has been deleted.
Dok2 & The Quiett – Elle Magazine Interview
Read Dok2 and The Quiett‘s latest interview with Elle about connecting the link between hip hop kings and boyfriends.
An ‘Ethical’ Comic Talk with Pure Machos Illionaire Gang((A pun on dodeok (ethical) and Dodeok (shortened combination of Dok2 & The Quiett in Korean) ))
In the music scene, they make the hearts of hip hop fans who hold up three fingers leap for joy, and off stage, they make the hearts of women flutter: Illionaire Records’ Dok2 and The Quiett. Together with the two of them, we set out to find the connecting link between hip hop kings and boyfriends.
Photographer: Jung Ji-eun
Stylist: Yoon Eun-young
Editor: Kim Bora
Dok2 is wearing is a golden-framed jumper with black and blue patterns that is an Alexander McQueen by Boon the Shop. The black beanie, black denim jeans, and the walkers are his own possessions. The Quiett is wearing a gold-frame patterned black sweatshirt that is an Alexander McQueen by Boon the Shop. The snapback, black denim jeans, and the walkers are all his own possessions.
The co-CEOs of hip-hop label Illionaire Records Dok2 and The Quiett met in 2005 when they participated in Dynamic Duo’s 2nd album. In the hip-hop world which was lined up with people born in the 70’s, the two were always the youngest wherever they went and naturally became close. It might have been fate that the two who pursued the same style and had the same goals met in the hip hop scene full of different styles. Eventually, The Quiett declared himself independent of ‘Soul Company’ and proposed to Dok2 ‘let’s make our own company’, and revealed ‘Illionaire Records’ to the world on January 1st, 2011. ‘More than anything we make fun music and let people have fun listening to that. Then people will also like it.’ With this single belief, they created a musical cause that made the ‘Dodeok’ couple a trend. We reveal the pleasant comic talk with them.
Congratulations on winning ‘Show Me the Money’. You’ve become really famous but with the way things are, will you appear on variety programs also?
The Quiett (hereafter Q): To be honest, I’m short of time even just for making music. ‘Show Me the Money 3’ was tiring because it was a program that took a long time to film. Honestly, [it was so tiring that] in the episode where we were in danger of being eliminated, we wanted to be eliminated. It looks like we have benefitted the most from ‘Show Me the Money 3’, but I think variety shows are different. On ‘Show Me the Money 3’, we could show ourselves as the musicians we are. For normal entertainment programs, we’d have to become entertainers. It would be laughable if we ran around playing games on shows like ‘Go Dream Team’ or ‘Running Man’.
It seems you got a phone call from one of the PDs of ‘Show Me the Money’ a little earlier, are they already casting you for another season?
Dok2 (hereafter D): Even so we won’t do it. Please print it in ‘Elle’. So that in case I waver about it later, I can read the ‘Elle’ interview and compose myself saying ‘Ah right. I said this’. (Laughs)
There’s a lot of talk about money and success in ‘Illionaire’ songs.
D: This is exactly what we consider hip hop. Most of the raps of the hip-hop mainland USA are like that too, but in Korea it’s known wrongly. Becoming successful through rap and living in a nice house, riding a nice car, buying that watch, [originally] stuff like that is very natural [for rappers]. We also weren’t like that from the beginning. In our old songs we don’t talk about money but about the poor lives we had. So it’s not that we’re very obsessed with money.
Have you thought about the response of young listeners who enjoy your music?
Q: Of course. We also thought ‘Wow, how can that be’, when we saw overseas hip-hop music videos and read their lyrics when we were young.
D: In the past I didn’t know if it was possible to throw away a pair of shoes after wearing it once. When I was young, I inserted elastic bands into the collars of t-shirts (of which I bought three for 5,000 won), super scared that they might wear out, but now, if for example make-up got on a t-shirt while putting it off, I throw it away immediately. The important thing here is this: are you envious of us being like this or do you have the ambition ‘I have to be as successful as them’?
Q: We always emphasize through our music that ‘I wasn’t originally like this but I worked hard and got here’.
‘This is the result of our music’? ‘And we even earned money’?
Q: That’s right. Instead, our fans will think that they will be the best in what they want to do or what they can do by giving their best, no matter in which area, it doesn’t have to be music.
The dense black knit is a Carven by Koon, the white Oxford shirt is a YMC, the sneakers and the black denim pants are all his own clothing.
D: Although we do brag, we’ve never said anything negative. ‘You can’t be like me’, ‘Only I can do this’, I’ve never made any types of sarcastic remarks like this … ah, I have. Hahaha.
Q: But you can just think of it as a hip-hop manner of expression and attitude.
D: It’s like a sort of self-help book. In the story, there are swear words, the person who tells the story has tattoos on their body and creates an uproar on stage so people look at it with different eyes.
When you weren’t popular have you ever been humiliated?
D: I was signed to a major company from the start. I was always #1 in the hip-hop world. Even 10 years ago, my concerts were nearly sold out. This isn’t boasting but the truth.
Q: I have. When I was an amateur, I once rapped in front of only two people. I also performed in Sillim-dong’s Sundae Town before.((Sundae Town is an area full of restaurants that sell sundae (Korean blood sausages), thus note the ludicrosity of performing in such a venue.))
You don’t drink alcohol or smoke, and don’t even drink coffee, then where do you look for pleasure?
D: That’s a prejudice of Korean people … even black American rappers don’t look for pleasure in those things. Honestly alcohol, cigarettes, and the likes are ‘icons of sorrow’.
When you aren’t working …
D: Traveling, shopping, performances. I think I have a pattern of repeating these three things.
Q: We invest the money other people spend on alcohol and cigarettes in buying things we like.
D: Alcohol gives you a heartburn and when you’re sober it’s over. We live healthily.
Recently, hip hop musicians are being listed on a ‘Wannabe Boyfriend’ list. As expected you two are listed.
D: Ah, it’s an uproar. Yea~ I’m good looking.
Q: I’ll report you. They say ‘there’s something stuck on your face’. You’re good looking.((An old gag indicating that someone is good looking. The pun is on the phrase ‘gim mudeottda’ (something’s stuck on your face), and ‘jalsaenggim’ (good looks).))
Do you [usually] react to that kind of interest that fans show you?
Q: I think this is the reason why we’re different from idols. Many characteristics of idols are defined by image-making.
D: Idols are told stuff like ‘Whenever you open your mouth you become an idiot so shut your mouth’. No matter if we’re actually idiots or not, we do and say whatever we want. There are also fans who sometimes criticize our clothes but we don’t care.
D: I get a lot of threatening comments on SNS telling me to shave my beard.
There are a lot of fans who want you to post pictures of yourself smiling.
Q: I usually smile a lot but I don’t smile well in front of the camera. Why would I, as long as the camera isn’t funny! I can’t understand why I have to smile although it’s not funny.
Your ideal types are…
Q: It’s a really difficult question.
D: I don’t have one. If we discuss it more and nitpick, an ideal type will come up, though.
Q: Yeah. But there isn’t just one.
D: We like variety. (Laughs)
What kind of boyfriend do you want to become?
D: The kind that works hard and earns a lot of money so I can let my girlfriend do whatever she wants, someone a bit like ‘Mansour’.((Dok2 is referring to Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister of the UAE who is known for his wealth.)) I’m not saying that all you need is money and everything works out. Even so, showing my real self is my idea of love I guess? Well, I’m like that. Because I love her I want to treat her well.
What about The Quiett?
Q: I’m always told that I’m nice. I’m not a ‘bad guy’. So I think being a nice guy is natural to me and good for my girlfriend as well.
The diamond decorated skull pendant necklace is H.R., the embroidered gray knit is a Dolce & Gabbana, the gray beanie, the black denim pants, and the walkers all are his own clothing.
Q (cont): I’ve never fought with a woman, not even once. Till now it’s a new record. I’m really a person that’s known to never fight with women.
When you get a girlfriend, will you make it public?
D, Q: No!
Q: If it’s a public relationship, chaos will ensue. Especially at a time like this [when we’re so popular], our girlfriend could get killed.
I heard that Dok2 lives in Yeoeui-do’s Marriott, and The Quiett lives alone in a 50-pyeong apartment. Aren’t there times you’re lonely living alone in a big apartment?
D: Never.
Q: I have a lot of things so my place is more crowded than you think.
D: And we have big TVs too.
You said you were lonely in your songs before.
Q: Well, that’s the loneliness you feel in life. When living there are times you’ll feel empty.
At those times, do you comfort yourself looking at the things you bought?
Q: Yes, either that or I buy new things. To be honest, in my thirty years of living, I’ve gone through a variety of things. When I was young, I rushed into this [Korean hip hop] scene but now I know the know-how’s of overcoming loneliness.
D: Loneliness is a kind of imagination. It’s not something that you have since you’re born. I can get rid of the loneliness that I caused myself to feel.
Q: That’s a famous saying. Is it by Kim Jaedong?((Kim Jaedong is a comedian that is infamous for coming up with sayings.))
D: It’s in the Buddhist scriptures. I’m Buddhist.
Do you have any overseas plans?
Q: We have a performance in Japan in the middle of October. We also had a performance in New York in September. They’re sold out every time. We’re obviously thankful.
Are you continuously working on songs?
D: I’m planning on releasing a single album in the middle of October. It’s the piano version of the title song ‘My Love’ from my first full-length album.
That sounds like your female fans will love it.
D: Oh, it’s very emotional. It’s the first love song I’ve released in three years.
Q: I’m also releasing a solo single sometime in the middle of October. I haven’t decided on the title yet. I’m also slowly working on a full-length album.
Oh, you two emphasize ‘11:11’ every time, why is that?
D: We announced the establishment of our label on January 1st, 2011, ‘Illionaire’ is written like ‘1LLI’, and when we release new songs, we try to do so at 11:11 pm. Thus, we have gotten a lot of connections with ‘1’ and it naturally became symbolic.
Even the interview we’re doing right now will appear in Elle’s November issue.
Q: That’s right. It’s super great that it’s in the November edition, oh, no wonder.
D: ‘Elle’ will probably sell out completely.
Q: We also did the interview because it’s Elle. We rejected everyone else. We’re expensive. Hahaha.
—
[ SOURCE | ELLE ]
[ TRANSLATION EDIT | Lena ]
Beenzino – The bling Interview
Check out Beenzino’s interview with The bling magazine that was published November 2012.
Crucial Star – Fill in the Blanks
“It’s my turn!” In March this year, Crucial Star filled in the blanks for ROKHIPHOP.
Beenzino – North Face Interview (2011)
Read the interview of the Korean North Face Blog with Beenzino from 2011.
Beenzino – Vogue Girl Interview (2012)
Read Beenzino’s interview from Vogue Girl’s December 2012 issue.
From one point on, I kept hearing his name everywhere around me. I filmed in the studio while it was filled with his voice and I searched his name as if bewitched. That moment, a young boy with a mischievous gaze stuck right to my heart.
In middle school, I added my name’s syllable “-bin” [/-been] to the American rapper Benzino‘s name and created the stage name Beenzino. Before that, I actually had the pioneering stage name Cypher but changed it after realizing that serious things aren’t cool. I am currently enrolled in Seoul National University’s Department of Sculpture, so people saying I have academic ability simply makes my life easier. There’s nothing about my looks I’m particularly fond of since my face isn’t the type I like. I prefer narrow and nimble faces, like Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ from “August Rush.”
Lately, my gaze keeps getting drawn to expensive things. Among them, I tried on a biker jacket from Balmain in select stores and department stores several times. Then, at one point I just bought it. How can I say it, since I had seen me wearing it so often, it felt like I had already bought it. Like the song “Aqua Man,” which is about the anguish a man faces when a woman plays him, I receive ideas for my lyrics in [every-day] life. I also wrote the song “Nike Shoes” after walking past a girl wearing Oreo-colored Air Jordan 5, I liked the feeling of them so I wrote the lyrics (Oreo Nike Shoes sounds strange, therefore I changed it to mint color). You ask if she was close to my ideal type of woman? No, she was small. I like tall women, I don’t care if they weigh more than me.
My girlfriend of seven years, who calls me “Lim-sugar” (but it absolutely doesn’t have that sweet meaning you’re all imagining right now!), was a friend of my [older female] relative. She saw me on the cover of a magazine for entering college called “College of Fine Arts Entrance Examination” and was the one who shouted the loudest [among other girls at my relative] that she wants to get to know me. What made me fall for her is that she isn’t pretending to be pretty. Above all, it is really fun to be with her. One fan I remember is a girl that pierced through the crowd when I came down from the stage after a concert and she gave me a kiss. If she had kissed my lips I would have really chased after her and confront her, but at that time I was sweating a lot so it must have been nasty and salty, that’s why I wonder why she did that. Editor Hyemin Lee
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[ SOURCE | VOGUE GIRL ]
