24 Flakko

Our guest writer Amy interviewed 24 FLAKKO to get to know more about the artist who has been bringing a unique taste of Atlanta’s trap/hip-hop scene to Korea.

Born in Korea, 24 FLAKKO spent a year and a half in Atlanta working with various American artists, including world-famous rappers 21 Savage, Lotto Savage, and Notoriou5 Bino. ‘Bad Guy,’ his single with 21 Savage, created quite a buzz. Fans were surprised to see an artist like 21 Savage on the Korean-based YouTube channel CJENMMUSIC. Having gained recognition both in the States and Korea, FLAKKO recently came back to Korea, started his own crew, 24 Gang, and has been working with other well-known Korean rappers including Don Mills, Loopy, and Bill Stax. Following his return to Korea, 24 FLAKKO released his first EP, ‘Atlanta.’

Firstly, can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey, my name is 24 FLAKKO and my crew is 24 Gang. I used to be in Slaughter Gang and BGE when I was in Atlanta.

You were working in Atlanta, but you’re currently based in Seoul. Can you tell us a bit more about your background? What brought you back to Seoul?
There’s not too much in my background. I just started making music in Korea. I went over to Atlanta so I could learn a bit more about the industry and see how it works overseas. To get a feel of real rappers. I came back to Korea because I wanted to show Korea the true image of Atlanta and what real trap is because I kind of feel like there wasn’t really anyone in Korea that did music like this here.

When and how did you first start making music?
I started making music when I was 23. Now I’m 27 (Korean age). So I’ve only been making music for about four years. I started making music so I could express my feelings.

Which of your songs would you recommend to first-time listeners to get to know your style?
There’s a song called ‘Slaughter Gang’ in my first EP ‘Atlanta,’ and that song is probably the song I would like to recommend to people so that they can see what style of music I do.

How did you come up with the name 24 FLAKKO?
24 FLAKKO’s meaning is 24-karat gold and 24 hours in a day. Also my friends over in Atlanta used to call me skinny, so they called me ‘FLAKKO.’ In Spanish the word ‘flaco’ means ‘skinny,’ so I called myself ‘FLAKKO.’

Can you tell us more about 24 Gang?
Slaughter Gang and BGE are crews that I was involved in, in Atlanta. My Seoul-based movement 24 Gang is a crew that I started. It’s called 24 Gang because of ‘24,’ we say that ‘time is money.’ In time, there is 24 hours in a day, and for money I saw it as gold, and 24-karat gold is the most shiny gold. So, 24 comes from 24 hours and 24-karat gold. It’s kind of saying that we work hard for 24 hours, but also, we want to shine like 24K gold as well.

You’ve worked with Lotto Savage and 21 Savage. How did those collabs come about, and can you describe your experience working with them?
I used to live in an apartment (in Atlanta) with my friend, and that friend brought over his friend, who was coincidentally a guy called Notoriou5 Bino, the leader of BGE. We both talked and we both make music, so we just kind of clicked right away. He introduced me to Lotto, 21, and all the other guys in those crews.

So, those collaborations came [about] because I was in Slaughter Gang and BGE. Those were the two biggest movements in Atlanta. You might know that Lotto Savage and 21 Savage are both Slaughter Gang members, so the collaborations just kind of came naturally. I didn’t really have to go out of my way to get them to feature on my songs since I was in their crew.

As for my experience working with them, it was a lot different than working with Korean artists. All their recordings are usually done freestyle, so they just come up with their verse and then record on the spot.

You recently released your first EP ‘Atlanta.’ How does it feel to see the product of all your hard work coming together?
I feel more confident in my music after releasing my EP and being able to see that I’m able to bring something into Korea that no one else has kind of done, bringing in a new rap style. It just motivates me more.

Who have been some of your biggest influences?
21 Savage and Young Thug would be my biggest influences for my music.

Where do you get inspiration for your music?
21 Savage gave me a lot of inspiration, but also just my own lifestyle and experiences.

Ultimate future dream collaboration?
It used to be 21 Savage, but somehow we got to do a song together. So at the moment it’s Future and Young Thug.

Do you have a preference of which language you use to make music with?
I don’t mind, but I like to mix it up so that I can keep my Korean base. I still want to be able to go to Atlanta and show Korea’s side of music but then also come to Korea and show Atlanta’s side of music. I don’t have a preference. I like to use both in one song.

Who are some of your favorite artists to listen to?
Recently, Trippy Red and Swae Lee. As well as 21 Savage, Future, and the guys I get inspired by.

What do you do in your chill time?
I don’t really do much in my chill time. I just work on new music. I write new lyrics or listen to music and get more inspiration from other artists.

Can you give us any info about upcoming projects or performances?
There are a lot of new songs I’m working on. I’m working on my new album, which I’m planning to do around the end of April/start of May. The new album is a solo album of 15 songs. I made this album so that I can show myself a bit more. On top of that, I’m working with some upcoming artists in the States and a lot of artists in Korea such as Bill Stax, Young West, BLOO, Loopy, Don Mills, and also Ted Park.

I’ve got a lot of performances planned, too, and just a lot of projects that I’m working on.

Ein Beitrag geteilt von 24 FLAKKO (@24flakko) am Mär 20, 2018 um 6:17 PDT

What can we expect from you as an artist in the future?
You can expect a lot of collaborations with artists over in the States, and I’m trying to be one of the first Korean acts to go over to the States and do a lot of collaboration stages. So not just a tour in the States, but to be able to have a lot of people who I’ve worked with come with me. I want to do shows in the States with people I’ve been working on music with. I also just want to show Korea that an artist from Korea can do music like in a big caliber.

Follow 24 FLAKKO:

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Interview conducted by guest writer Amy Benham
Edited by Cy, Lena