Jeffrey White: Chasing Ideals and Confronting Realities in [SAINT]
In his first solo full-length album, [SAINT], Jeffrey White embarks on a journey that is as much about chasing dreams as it is about facing realities. The release marks Jeffrey’s third album of the year, including OKASHII’s studio albums, [ANTIVANDALISM] and [+]. Diverging from the collective style of OKASHII, his new solo album offers a deeper dive into Jeffrey White’s personal narrative.
He draws inspiration from icons of music, viewing them not just as artists, but as almost mythical figures. “I had a feeling that Michael Jackson was like a god of music when I saw his performance, and I felt the same way after listening to Kanye West’s album,” Jeffrey reflects. This reverence is not just admiration; it’s a driving force behind his own creative pursuit.
Jeffrey’s discovery that the famous story of the Trojan Horse was more myth than history led him to a profound realization about his idols. “If no actual records are found and only myths or titles are passed down, people like Michael Jackson and Kanye West, who I thought were gods of music, would also be able to gain their own ‘mythology’ and be worshipped like gods,” he muses. This insight shapes not only his view of the past but his aspirations for the future.
In [SAINT], Jeffrey explores his pursuit of ideals and perfection, juxtaposed with his escape from anxiety and distracting thoughts. It’s a narrative of pursuit and escape, where the line often blurs, leaving him seeking a start point that assures him of the right direction. “This album is the start point and tetelestai (it is finished),” he declares, indicating a sense of completion and a new beginning in his musical journey. With [SAINT], Jeffrey White doesn’t just create an album; he crafts a personal mythology, setting a course to reach the echelons of the musical gods he admires.
Diving Deeper into Jeffrey White’s Artistic Soul
This sense of aspiration and identity that Jeffrey carries in his music raises intriguing questions about his artistic process and personal journey. We delved deeper, asking Jeffrey to share more about the creation of [SAINT], his influences, and his vision for the future. Here’s what he had to say:
1. Could you share the story or meaning behind your name, Jeffrey White, and how it reflects your identity as a musician?
‘Jeffrey White’ is the first name I picked for myself. As I named myself, I decided to make my own way for my future.
2. How does [SAINT] represent a new direction or evolution in your music, compared to your work with OKASHII?
Compared to works in OKASHII, [SAINT] is filled with more personal stories in terms of lyrics. In addition, during the process of producing the entire album by myself, I was able to test my ability of producing. As you may know, in OKASHII, we have MATT who is a talented producer. That made me feel relieved from the pressure when producing, but I’m glad that I tried and succeeded.
3. You’ve mentioned that [SAINT] contains personal stories. Could you share a particular experience or emotion that deeply influenced one of the tracks?
In the song “I WANNA KNOW”, I talked about my experience with struggling and thinking about extreme choices while I was completely exhausted. As you know, making music independently brings endless challenges, and It felt like there was no end in sight. Whenever I thought I had finally overcome, even bigger challenges emerged. Even worse, unexpected misfortunes in relationships made me struggle countless times. This song talks about my dilemma of whether I should keep living, despite of this tragedy.
4. Could you describe your creative process for [SAINT]? How was the songwriting and production approach different in this album?
In case of [SAINT], everything happened at once, including the genre, image, and lyrics. The moment I played the keyboard and added samples, certain images came to my head and led me to the theme I want to talk about. I used to work with certain image before the process of playing the keyboard. And after getting the image, I normally translate it into a song, but this time was unusual as they happened simultaneously.
5. The official videos for ‘ROSETTA’ and ‘OXXY’ have a distinctive visual style. What was the concept behind these videos, and how do they complement the music?
Brad Pitt in ‘Fight Club’ was my reference for this video. I worked on the storyboard after determining the image of myself wearing a strong fur coat and ridiculous outfit. I contemplated a lot about the concept because I didn’t want to do cliché-like gesture and visual effects that can be seen in typical hiphop music videos. Eventually, we derived the concept from the main album idea, and determined to portray a running scene in a way that blurs the distinction between running away and chasing.
6. With [SAINT] being a significant milestone in your career, what future directions do you envision for yourself, both as a solo artist and with OKASHII?
Firstly, OKASHII has an upcoming plan to release a solo project for each members every two months. After all the members are releasing their works, we are going to make a group OKASHII album. For my solo artist career, I’m gonna take a break for now as I don’t want to force myself to work without enough stories I want to tell. During the process of making [SAINT], I realized that there have been insufficient points in preparation, so I just want to invest more time to make [a] perfect result for the next album.
7. As an artist eager to connect with international fans, what message or feeling do you hope they take away from [SAINT]?
Though my lyrics aren’t perfect, I hope you can feel the emotion that I want to deliver. The message I want to convey through the album is not fixed to one thing. Similarly, interpretations can vary. I don’t want to say there is a specific song must evoke a particular emotion. However, I hope my music can recall certain situations. Hope you enjoy it and listen to it! I really appreciate for your support.
Embracing the Future: Jeffrey White’s Path Forward
In our revealing conversation with Jeffrey White, his album [SAINT] emerges as a profound exploration of self-discovery and transformation. With candid insights into his personal and artistic journey, Jeffrey has not only set a new standard in his career but also stepped into a realm where he shapes his own musical mythology. As he continues to pursue his unique voice in the industry, [SAINT] marks a pivotal point, signalling a future where Jeffrey’s ambition and authenticity promise to make an indelible impact on the music world.
Jeffrey White’s Album Release Party: A Night of Music and Celebration
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the launch of Jeffrey White’s latest album, [SAINT], at a special album release party on January 5, 2024, at Heinz Club in Seoul. This event is set to be a highlight for fans of Korean hip-hop, featuring a stellar lineup of live performances by notable artists YANGHONGWON, Ksmartboi, Injae, and OKASHII. The evening promises not just a first listen to Jeffrey’s new tracks but also an electrifying showcase of talent and creativity. It’s a perfect occasion for fans to come together, enjoy great music, and celebrate the new milestone in Jeffrey White’s musical journey.