pH-1 captivated the crowd at SXSW’s H1GHR MUSIC Showcase last month. HiphopKR was there–relive the event with us!
Also known as: the time Cy almost died at SXSW.
To be fair, that’s not pH-1’s fault. On the contrary, the first half of the show was a thing of beauty. Honestly, all one needed before entering that show was respect for Jay Park’s vision and an honest-to-goodness appreciation of music. The premise itself was simple: keep an open mind. However, neither the organizers of SXSW nor the company that sponsored the event could’ve predicted what was about to happen at the Main on March 17.
Though this is a look back at a particular performance, I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the show’s host. Jay Park has such an immense vision. Love or hate his music, there’s no way you can deny that his heart’s so incredibly entrenched in music. He has a mind for it like almost no one, an eye and ear for talent that’s enviable. With his lifelong partner in crime, Cha Cha Malone, he’s created a home for untapped potential and underrepresented talent in their global record label H1GHR MUSIC. Being Jay’s second enterprise, it’s safe to say that he certainly knows what he’s doing when it comes to exploring the edges of music’s periphery and bringing some of its lesser known acts to light.
Thus we have pH-1. Though not exactly unknown, his visibility was relegated to longtime fans and followers of the relative underground of Korea’s hip-hop scene. He’d already been spoken of with reverence among and had high-profile collaborations with artists such as Owen Ovadoz and, of course, Jay Park. His signing to Park’s H1GHR MUSIC last year comes as no surprise to those who know him musically.
His reputation far preceded his performance at SXSW. Before even entering the venue, the line rounded two corners, from the east and west, all those in attendance waiting with bated breath for the chance to see some of their favorite artists–among those pH-1. In fact, prior to doors open, the showcase’s artists and hosts made it a point to come out and tease the crowd with a glimpse. Park, Malone, Ted Park, and pH-1 all made small appearances, reveling in the controlled chaos of fans doing what they do best: fangirling.
We come to the opening of the show. Obviously fans are already in an uproar as soon as Park and Malone make their introductions. These two young men certainly have a palpable passion for what they’re doing. Despite Park’s star power, there’s a level of surprise coloring his tone when he realizes the magnitude of the showcase of his label’s namesake. As each artist makes his way to the stage, the energy has an enormous spike. This tremor of excitement reaches a peak once pH-1 begins his set.
In speaking with him, it’s clear just how passionate this man is about his music, about his message. As soon as he alights, he is a marvel. His message is positivity, a vision contrary to the typical subject matter of almost all of hip-hop’s most popular. There’s nothing shy or wilting about the man, let’s be frank. However, his dedication to giving hip-hop a different color, an alternative outlook, could seem to compete with the raunch and raucous of a rap showcase.
Let the record show pH-1 isn’t shy of a little turn-up. In fact, from the first note it’s clear he favors quite heavy turn-up should the occasion call for it. Most certainly, the H1GHR MUSIC Showcase definitely called for it. He ascends from backstage, mic in hand like a hammer, and he goes to town. There’s not a moment of quiet, a moment of the zen chill one expects from someone so dedicated to his message of positivity. He’s all piss and vinegar, this one. A side of snark and a hell of a lot of the flirtatious troublemaker we saw when he made his brief appearance outside the venue, what we have here is a man who knows how to manipulate a crowd.
The crowd isn’t complaining, believe me.
When he goes into some of his more popular hits, the crowd is practically inconsolable. pH-1 certainly has a style that speaks to an audience, a message that resonates. His set at the H1GHR MUSIC Showcase has all the energy and power of his peers. So infectious is his stage presence, Jay Park finds his way on stage during pH-1’s last song of the night, the indisputable bop “Donut.” Their chemistry is amazing, making the stage a playground. Their smiles are so genuine. pH-1 donned a toothy grin from the moment the music started.
I suppose you’re wondering about the whole near-death experience I alluded to at the beginning of this write-up. As I said, not pH-1’s fault. As I also stated, organizers weren’t prepared for just how raucous a crowd of very devoted Korean hip-hop fans are (even considering the diversity of the lineup). Things got out of hand. But not before I got to see just how much control pH-1 has over a captive audience. That is the takeaway from this showcase: pH-1 is a Class A performer.
Edited by Lena