Owen Ovadoz is one of those artists who know how to spark a conversation and keep himself at its center. His forward and opinionated nature brings a unique dynamic to Korea’s music scene. That same critical eye he turns on himself in his music. Four years after his first interview with HiphopKR, he answered some questions about himself, his music, and what makes him the artist that he is.
The “soul” of hip-hop
You mention “soul” a great deal in your music and in some past interviews. This idea of “soul” seems very important to you. What does “soul” mean to you? What do you think is the “soul” of hip-hop?
Being true to your music, on and off stage at all times. I don’t know what soul of hip-hop is, but if you can forge in your soul into a song, then it’s always worth it.
Hip-hop in Korea has really blown up in a big way the past couple years. Do you think Korean audiences appreciate hip-hop and rap itself, or is it more a “trend”?
It is more of a trend thing at the moment, but I feel like if us ’90s kids put in work, then we can actually change things for better for our next generation.
You basically live hip-hop 24/7. But are there ever moments when you have to step away from it for a bit? What do you do when the thing that you live and breathe becomes too oppressive?
I was never oppressed, and I never thought of it that way Ha-ha. But yeah, I think I do try to live a hip-hop-ish way day to day, but that only occurs when I’m creating music. So I guess the rest of my life apart from music, I don’t got much problems.
Limited Opportunities
A lot of artists who used to frequent the Hongdae Playground feel like it’s completely changed. Why do you think that is? Is there any other place that you believe nourishes artists like Hongdae used to?
Hongdae used to have a club where they held a freestyle rap battle called Velvet Banana Club and now it’s gone. It goes same for the Hongdae Playground too ‘cus now it became a park I think… So it’s hard to find a place nowadays, and to figure out why this has happened is way more complicated. You need to know how this industry moves and how it’s pretty much impossible for independent artists to bloom out here.
When you spoke to us back in 2015, you said the hardest thing about the music industry is that “there’s no such thing as music or art in Korea,” mainly because it’s all commercialized and it’s “killing the few pure artists that remain in Korea.” Do you still feel that way? If so, what do you think needs to change?
It’s still the same, but I view it bit differently nowadays. It’s not ‘killing’ the few pure artists, but it limits the opportunities that they can have. You need to fight with the system and need to know how this music industry goes and more. I’ve finally realized that now and slowly adjusting to it. Y’all should move on and just do it too, ‘cus after all, if you look back, it’s you, limiting yourself so you can stay as an ‘artist.’ But there’re things you need to adjust and do to become a bigger, better person.
Golden Opportunities
You’ve been in the industry for a few years now. You got a lot of recognition for SMTM and “Eung Freestyle,” as well as being a part of MKIT RAIN. What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about being so visible in the entertainment industry?
Little man, understand this ain’t a lecture. It’s diamonds. If you wanna be somebody then you gotta earn it.
How did you get involved with the “119 Remix“? How was that experience for you?
Gray hit me up on Kakao, so that’s that and it was fun. And of course I killed it.
P.O.E.M
On P.O.E.M, the song “Hip Hop,” you opened it by saying “Sometimes I cut myself to see myself bleed, to feel something.” It’s still somewhat taboo to talk about depression in South Korea, even rarer to talk about self-harm so explicitly. Have you ever faced backlash for expressing these parts of yourself? Why do you think people are afraid to explore those topics?
I don’t know. I’m just stating facts, and maybe at that time I somehow wanted to share that with people. And if they think that’s wrong, then it’s wrong, but I don’t follow I lead so… Back to the point, check out OECD suicide rank. My country was up there on the top for past 13 years…
The song “dirt” from Changes is an interesting one. the phrase “You don’t know me ’til you put on my shoes” is repeated after the chorus that says “I’ve got dirt on my shoes.” What kind of “dirt” do you have on your shoes? Do you think people judge you because of that?
Dirt as in sins I’ve made so far and something shameful, but I’m cool with it ‘cus, aren’t we all incomplete human beings? And what’s it to you if you ain’t living right? Here’s your two cents.
P.O.E.M II
It’s been a few years between P.O.E.M and P.O.E.M II. What made you want to go back to the “P.O.E.M” concept?
‘Cause that’s who I am, and I’ve been lost in the city full of snitches and backstabbers for years trying to find myself.
What do you think has been the most important change for you in those few years?
I’ve finally found my way.
This is the first time you’ve blatantly made a song expressing anything about your faith (track “Holy (jehovah)“). What made you put this song on the album? Is that something you’re going to do more of (sort of like Chance the Rapper)?
Nah. I’m a Christian too, so I always had faith. I didn’t need to go seek out for one in church, especially [since] what happened before when I was younger made me avoid church and church people more. I confessed something to the preacher, and somehow all the other kids knew about the story. So I was only able to doubt the preacher at the time. So no, not sort of like Chance the Rapper. I’m just doing me and simply asking God, ‘Heavenly Father, tell me if I’m really doing it wrong.’
“possession (bob marley)” is my favorite track from the album. You at first say your biggest fear is being judged. Is that still true? You also say you’re “possessed by rap.” What about rap/hip-hop gets into you so much?
True, but I guess that’s something I can overcome in time. And I got into hip-hop lifestyle and state of mind.
The Future
What track on the album do you think is the best representation of you as a rapper? As a man?
‘what the fun.’ Cause that shit my title. Go check it out, listen, and put it on repeat.
What can fans look forward to from you in the future?
More visuals and more music.
Final thoughts?
POEM2 OUT NOW! GO LISTEN WHENEVER. OH, N’ I LOVE ALL MY FANS. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME.
Great interview! Thank you for your hard work!