As you’ll remember from my assessment of the KB Rapbeat Festival, my expectations were drastically different from the reality. However, one artist stood out in all the right ways: NiiHWA. His performance on the Chillax Stage was so energetic, so sincere, my experience prior to that point faded.
“Hello, my name is NiiHWA.”
In the midst of working on his latest album “Passport,” NiiHWA took some time out to answer some questions for us. Frankly, it was really one of the most engaging email interviews I’ve ever done. Again, NiiHWA exceeds all of my expectations and leaves me surprised and elated.
Firstly, could you introduce yourself to the HiphopKR audience?
Hello, my name is NiiHWA. I’m doing music in Korea. Glad to meet you, HiphopKR. :)
How was your experience at the RapBeat Festival?
I like this festival so much, because I think the first time I went on stage at the RapBeat Festival was when I completely got rid of my stage fright.
It was totally overwhelming and I experienced total freedom. Since then, every RapBeat Festival has always been exciting. I really appreciate the invitation every time.
You said in an interview with K-Pop Rise that your stage name translates to “A flower that grew from mud.” It reminds me of Tupac’s poem “A rose that grew from concrete.” (SCV of ROKHiphop said it reminded him of The Quiett‘s “진흙 속에서 피는 꽃 (Feat. MC Meta)” (meaning “flower blooming in the mud”).) Was either The Quiett or Tupac inspiration for your name?
When making my name, I was wondering: “Why do most artists name themselves in English?”
I’m Asian and I made a decision to use East Asian languages, Korean and Chinese characters. While thinking about what represents East Asia, I came up with a lotus flower, which is “a flower that grows from mud.”
I created the new word “NiiHWA” simply by using the Chinese characters “ni” (mud) + “hwa” (flower). That became my name, and I might have been subconsciously influenced by Tupac and The Quiett, haha.
Inspiration & Education
What about Pharrell’s music inspired you to want to start writing?
At first, it was “Lap Dance” by N.E.R.D. For me back then, it was a very strong image and it didn’t fade away from my memory. Then I started looking for Pharrell’s music. I can’t leave out “Number One.” It was one of my favorites.
I also enjoyed watching him working as Neptunes. He wasn’t stuck to one thing, rather he had his own style while still being versatile. Not only his albums, but his production works for other artists have also inspired me a lot.
Who are some current artists (Korean and otherwise) that inspire you?
It is difficult to select since there are so many. :)
You actively got your education in music composition. On the other hand, I know many artists who think school hinders their creativity. In your experience has higher education helped your creativity or hurt it (or has it had any influence for you creatively at all)?
For me, it’s both. Higher education is like building muscle which helps me be good at sports. Once you are equipped, it depends on how you use it. I didn’t think school would provide everything I need. Though I learned the parts that I needed, still I continue to learn by asking and looking up what I don’t know. A good aspect is definitely meeting good teachers and colleagues.
When it comes to creativity, you have opportunities of creating a lot of pieces at school. Before performing on a big stage, you get the chance to experiment a lot on a smaller stage. School, especially the department itself, is also a small music scene where I can gain enough experience.
You’ve competed in a couple competitions throughout your career (winning Super Rookie Challenge and participating in SignHere). What is your main reason for competing on these shows?
It was simple. If I have stages to perform on, then I’m down for them.
Well, there’s one condition, of course. Not only singing and rapping or just doing music, but I want to do my own performance.
The initial purpose of every performance is presenting something to an audience, only then comes the fact that it’s part of a competition.
If it was the other way around, and if I couldn’t perform my own music, then I wouldn’t have wanted to participate in those competitions.
Do you find that competing in these shows helps you develop as an artist?
I think it’s very helpful. I start to make music in a small room, combine sounds, sketch melodies, write lyrics, record them, and mix and master it all to release an album. Then I go up on the stages with those songs and see the faces of the audience.
If my music were food, I can see how it tastes, whether people liked the taste or not, and how much they enjoyed it. Having these experiences cannot be unhelpful.
Follow Your Own Path
Do you still have disagreements with your family about making music? Or are they more accepting now that you’ve become more recognized?
My father, who didn’t like it before, now listens to my music.
As you said, my family is more accepting now since I’ve become more recognized. But more than that, they were influenced by seeing me having fun without any regrets.
Back then, my father told me not to regret it, and I have never regretted it. :)
It’s not easy to follow your own path on your own terms. You’ve had to face many hardships for your creative freedom. Do you ever have times when you doubt your choice to be a musician?
At the moment when there are no questions and doubts, I think [making music] becomes an action, not a creation. You have to provide new things to people, and at the same time give yourself new things. When you lose that mindset, [making music] just becomes an act of accustomed behavior.
At first, I had difficult times since I couldn’t write songs as I wanted. I had a lot to learn and it took me a while to get used to it. And I’m still learning every day.
What do you do to fight moments of self-doubt?
At moments of self-doubt, I let myself have self-doubt. Wouldn’t having doubts mean being self-conscious of being in a condition worthy of doubt?
I slowly think about why I’m having doubts and go back to the beginning.
Taking my time with the question “Why am I doing this?” helps me find the reason. Then self-doubt ends.
Creating Closeness
What is the most rewarding part about being an artist?
When I feel that my fingertips have reached someone’s heart. Regardless of whether that someone felt comforted, sympathetic or frustrated, someone has identified with my music and I’ve reached their heart. That kind of emotional communication is the most rewarding part.
What is the most discouraging thing about being an artist?
Nothing too special, but relationships are a lot of work for me as they are for other people. Artists are people too. :)
You mentioned in your interview with ROKHiphop that it was hard for you to meet people who genuinely just wanted to be your friend (without ulterior motives). Do you still feel that way?
I think it’s very lucky to find good and like-minded friends. It’s very pleasing to meet such friends, because there aren’t many of them. I’m not really expecting a lot though, haha. I’ve found more friends than before.
Musical Experiences
Your music is really emotional. How much of it is about your personal experiences, and how much of it is stories you create for the music?
I start my music with my feelings. My personal experiences and thoughts become the backbone of many things. Based on that, it starts. Sometimes I complete my music merely with experience. Sometimes I add indirect experience or imagination to complete it. I think emotion plays a very important role at first.
You mentioned before that you’d like to try jazz one day. Is that still a dream for you? Are there jazz artists/musicians you’d like to work with?
I would say You Hyo Rim. :)
I really love her voice, especially in a song called “I Hate You” by 015B.
Her tone is so attractive so I still listen to it. If I feel nervous before going up on stage, I listen to this song and calm myself down.
What’s something musically you’ve always wanted to try but might be too nervous/afraid to try?
I want to try a trio band. I’m still working on my skills to try that. It sounds really fun.
Dreams of the West
Hip hop from South Korea has become massive worldwide. What do you think makes hip hop from Korea so interesting?
I’m also a big fan of K-hip hop and that’s how I started my music. I eventually got deeply interested in music. When I was young, I listened and sang along to K-hip hop. After knowing the fact that hip hop started in the States, I started listening to foreign hip hop too. I realized that K-hip hop has a more compact flow.
Rather it being a genre similar to foreign hip hop, I think it more fitted with the Korean sentiment and was providing new [Korean] flows, avoiding [Korean hip hop from] being boring. I enjoyed such rhythms, and those compact flows made me so excited.
K-hip hop is based on those compact and solid flows while maintaining the chill feeling of native hip hop and I think that’s why people get interested in K-hip hop.
Do you think it’s important for artists to make it in Western markets?
This is a very touching question. When I was young I thought it was too hard to make it in Western markets for this question to be even asked. If you are successful in a wider market, you will have more participants and that will also lead to appearances of many unique and wonderful artists. The bigger the market, the better.
True Artist
What do you think is an artist’s most important duty? (Meaning, do you think artists should consider their impact on society and culture?)
People have thoughts, and among those thoughts there are those that others agree with and those that others don’t agree with. While most people might think of something as blue, some might think of it as purple. But when some artists say “I also think that’s purple,” those few people will relate to it, which brings a lot of emotions to them. I think artists shouldn’t forget about relating to people.
What song of yours do you think best defines who you are and why?
I would pick “XYZ.”
Once I start that song on stage, it feels like it announces that I’m there. I love rhythm and that song really entertains rhythm. It’s one of my favorite songs.
Looking Toward the Future
What do you want to be your lasting impression (the thing that people remember you most for)?
I would like to have my own genuine and distinct style, even if some new styles are added to it.
What can fans look forward to from you in the future?
I unfortunately couldn’t focus on preparing my own album for a while, but now it seems like I can. :)
Any final thoughts for our readers?
So pleased to meet you at HiphopKR, and I enjoyed the deep questions.
I’ll repay with good music. Let’s go up together! :)
As an artist, NiiHWA has always subverted expectation. His passion for the craft, his desire to continue to improve his artistry is endearing. Everything he does is with a heavy dose of humility and the urge to learn. I truly couldn’t ask for more from an interview. Honesty. Sincerity. Passion that suffuses even through email. Truly an artist I look forward to learning more from.