There was a lot of expectation for the ERR;OR Showcase. With the lineup it was easy to believe it was going to be quite a spectacle. Some of the performances were just that: exciting, tantalizing, outrageous. Others… not so much. When it came time for MKIT RAIN to hit the stage, there was a tangible anxiousness in the crowd. As it turned out, the crew was the perfect way to close the evening.
nafla, Loopy, and BLOO of MKIT RAIN Records have released their joint single “NBA” today.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After “Woke Up Like This,” MKIT RAIN duo Loopy & nafla have pre-released the second track off their upcoming EP. “ICE KING” was produced by Louis Maui and BIG BANANA.
MKIT RAIN‘s Owen Ovadoz continues his “P.O.E.M.” series with his new mixtape, “P.O.E.M. II.” It features Changstarr*, nafla, Young West, and Simba Zawadi.
South by Southwest has invited a number of Korean hip-hop and R&B artists to spotlight. The likes of Epik High, MFBTY, and Crush have all left their unique stamp on the festival. In 2019, the range and diversity of hip-hop and R&B acts has only broadened. Here I give a sneak peek into who I’m really excited to see (and who you should probably check out as well).
Rapper niahn has already made a name for himself among his peers in underground rap. His connection to the MKIT RAIN crew, and particularly his close friendship with BLOO, has allowed him to make his mark in a big way. Today he has released his first EP, extape. Lead single, “Cartier” is just a peek into what’s in store for fans of his music. While preparing for his official debut, he took time out to answer some questions for us.
First, could you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, HiphopKR. I go by name of niahn. I’m from Los Angeles, California. Now I am in Korea with my dog Cola!
What are your biggest musical influences?
Umm… I would say Kid Cudi and Pharrell for my earlier influences. For recent influences, The Internet.
Were you always interested in making music?
Yes, I was always surrounded with various instruments while I was growing up. I played piano, clarinet, and cello for almost 10 years. I was in orchestra since I was 10. When I was 14 years old, one day, during break time, nafla came up to me with his first song, and that’s actually what made me started to create my own music, too, then playing in orchestra.
How did you get involved with the Young Creation crew?
So, this is a very long story, but to keep it short, all the Young Creation members were doing hip-hop in the Los Angeles area. We started hanging out together, and naturally we became a crew.
How did you get involved with MKIT RAIN?
Well, it also happened very naturally. MKIT RAIN is a new crew, but we were always friends from way before. Most of us are from Young Creation too.
You and rapper BLOO created your own subunit: neonblue. You guys have great energy together. What about working with BLOO do you like?
I don’t want to say I was ‘working’ with BLOO. It was our way of hanging out. Most of the songs in the neonblue album was quite spontaneously done. BLOO has a very spontaneous personality. We would be just drinking whiskey, mostly Jameson. Then next, we find ourselves making a new song together. It was like my BBQ sauce and his hot pepper paste got mixed and we created this NEW ASS SAUCE. Our inspirations at the moment were in sync too: girls. Haha.
What’s most important to you when choosing what artist or producer to work with?
VIBES, YO. Haha. One thing, though. I prefer to work with someone who I can actually meet up, work side by side and spend time together. I guess that’s why I think the most important thing is the vibe.
You worked with YAC Studio last year for their “I GOT NO PAIN” project. How did you connect with them? -Did they already have the visual, or did they make the video based on your lyrics?
S/o to Khan for wanting to do a collaboration with me! I first met Khan while I was in New York. We became good friends really quickly. We were hanging out, so of course we were sharing our work. ‘I GOT NO PAIN’ was one of the songs I already had, produced by HDBI. When Khan suggested me for collaboration, I thought YAC Studio and my song ‘I GOT NO PAIN’ were a good fit. Khan did a lot of work to finish this collaboration, including visual. I think I was right. It was a good fit.
You worked with producer HDBI for that track. You’ve worked together several times, in fact. How did you guys end up working together?
HDBI and I actually made a lot more songs than what’s out. He’s one of the producers I work with most. I used to hang at Louis Maui’s place when I was in LA, and that’s where I first met HDBI. His beats were dope, so…basically that’s how we started our journey.
Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?
COLA, for sure. JK, Haha. Definitely Pharrell. He just popped in my head. And recently I’ve been heavily listening to Lancey Foux, so Lancy Foux, and ‘I wanna see you girlll’ Steve Lacey. Oh, also King Krule!
What three words best describe your music?
Moody, cloudy, starry.
Your music seems to have a darker edge to it. (It’s quite dreamy, but with the added bass and the slower tempo, it’s got a darker color.) Is there a reason behind using darker-sounding music?
Maybe… I was dark person? I think I don’t really control my own emotions. Rather I let my emotions control me. I just do what I like and what I want to do, so I guess there’s no reason.
Many of your lyrics are quite sexual. Is that intentional?
I would say it’s more ‘sensual’ than sexual. I am definitely not trying to make sexual lyrics (music). I am just expressing my feelings and thoughts rather honestly.
What song do you think best represents who you are as an artist?
‘Broken Hurt,’ extape title. I feel naked every time I drop new songs. I think that’s why I have so many in archive. ‘Broken Hurt’ is actually the song that makes me feel most naked, so that probably means this song really shows who I am.
As you are a rapper living in Korea, what do you think of the hip-hop scene there? What do you think your music brings to the hip-hop scene in Korea?
I don’t know, I just got here you know? Well, I guess it motivates me since I am surrounded with really passionate people (MKIT RAIN). Regardless of the genre, there’s so many talented artists in Korea, and that’s why Korea’s in the spotlight internationally.
I don’t think it’s something I bring to the scene. It’s more like what I can become in this scene and that will create a new genre that’s me.
What plans do you have for the future?
A lot of things, you will see in the future. A picture is worth ten thousand words.
Any final thoughts for our readers?
Thank you if you made it this far and are reading this sentence. If you haven’t experienced my music I hope this can lead you to do so. Have a great day!
Through what appears to be a genuine humility regarding his own music, niahn shows a self-confidence borne from an understanding of himself and his vision. With the release of his first album, fans and newcomers alike can experience firsthand the honesty, bravado, and rawness of niahn’s personality. Most importantly, the conviction in his ambition.
HiphopKR sits down with MKIT RAIN members nafla and Loopy before their performance at “STAGE SESSION VOL. 1” in Toronto. The duo talk about their tour experience, SMTM777, and more.
BLOO of MKIT RAIN has pre-released ‘Take Me (데려가) (Feat. nafla)‘ off his upcoming mini album ‘BLOO IN WONDERLAND’ today.
