SPOON 2Di Vol. 34: Song Commentary of Producers from EVIL LINE RECORDS
This interview was taken from Spoon Magazine vol. 34. Make sure to buy it to support the producers!
Buster Bros!!!
Ore ga Ichiro
Yamada Ichiro’s song “Ore ga Ichiro” is based on the classic street style track, spun into a dramatic arrangement by Creator Guild’s Gesshoku Kaigi. Cola Bintarou-san (a.k.a Kimura Subaru) oversaw and compiled the whole project, complete with lyrics that shine with overflowing manliness. (Hirano)
Sensenfukoku
Yamada Jiro’s aggressive nature takes form in “Sensenfukoku”, a song with a hardy sound similar to Prophets of Rage. Based on a mixture of rock bands like ROTTENGRAFFTY, Dragon Ash, and others; we wanted to make sure that it’d make the crowd scream at live performances. This is another way that Gesshoku Kaigi unifies its creative processes. (Hirano)
New Star
For the brilliant yet cheeky second year middle schooler, Yamada Saburo, Miura Koushi incorporated a sampling of classical music in the production of “New Star”. In contrast to Jiro’s powerful strikes, we wondered how could we make Saburo’s song feel like a chuuni’s fantasy. After our discussion, Miura-san chose to include “Aria on G String”, a delicate melody that everyone recognizes from their music lessons. (Hirano)
Mad Trigger Crew
G anthem of Y-CITY
Much like Samatoki himself, his song is straight up self-boasting and brutal. Since his early life is touched upon as well, I aimed for a GANGSTA-RAP theme. While it takes inspiration from legendary gangsta crew songs, sound effects that reminds people of the Yakuza were also added. I think with its unrefined yet simple feeling, the song becomes addictive the more you listen to it. (Nagashima)
Bayside Smoking Blues
Due to Juto’s cool and mature atmosphere, I aimed for his song to be trendy and stylish; different from the other two. Since he’s known as a “dirty cop”, I tried referring to the atmosphere of main themes of some Japanese movies. I think this is the easiest song to listen in Yokohama. In fact, he says a lot of vulgar words that it almost sound like an AV (laughs). (Nagashima)
What’s My Name?
This is completely G-Funk! As ordered. I also referenced European military songs. I thought of adding a call-and-response rap for the hook. “Survival Cooking”, the catchy yet scary punchline, is the real deal but it’s quite a struggle to come up with. I hope you will enjoy shouting along while listening to it. (Nagashima)
Matenrou
Labyrinth Wall
GADORO-kun, a new and rising rapper, who recently dominated at KOK 2017(1), wrote the rap. Conveniently, Hayami-san was challenged with a poetry reading rap, which is GADORO-kun’s specialty. It’s amazing how Hayami-san could follow through breathlessly. The track was composed by Yokoyama Masaru-kun, in reference to the BGM “White Comet” from the movie Space Battleship Yamato(2). Jinguji Jakurai's character is shown to hold within him a "cold flame". (Miyamoto)
Champagne Gold
The best host, Izanami Hifumi, made a party tune that everyone could enjoy. Torio-san of Gesshoku Kaigi did the arrangement and Fujimori Shingo-san wrote the lyrics. Anyways, I thought we could include a call part in the character song as a way to loosen up. Kijima Ryuichi-san also gave out ideas of how to approach singing the song at the recording site. (Hirano)
Tigridia
Everyone requested for the hip-hop band AFRO PARKER-san to write the song for the salaryman. The gap between the song title "Tigridia" and the contents of Doppo's rap is amusing, so please look up it’s meaning in the language of flowers(3). Itou Kento-san's skills were surprising and the parts with overlapping voices were all approached in different manners of rap. (Mori)
Fling Posse
Drops
The concept behind the song was “Ramuda skipping with a lollipop in his mouth”. Ramuda is both cute and cunning, and Shirai Yuusuke-san was able to convey both sides of his character through his singing. Maybe you can see a glimpse of Ramuda’s hidden strength in the rap parts. (Mori)
Scenario Liar
When Yumeno Gentaro speaks of his past, he narrates as if telling a story. What is a lie, what is a truth - all of his remarks are a mystery; this song was made this way because it’s Yumeno Gentaro. The line “It’s just a lie” was set on top of the track, and Soma Saito-san’s murmured whispers were mixed in. I want people to feel Gentaro’s sexiness. (Mori)
3$EVEN
The notation of the title “3$EVEN” using the combination of “$” and “even” to read “seven” is a common way of expression used not only in hip-hop but also in english speaking countries. This time, I tried expressing the gambling theme by focusing on slot machines. It might be interesting to look up the sound effects used in the track and the pachinko slot terms used in the lyrics. Nozuyama Yukihiro-san’s “It’s was a dream!” line was very Dice-like. I like it. (Mori)
Director’s Comment (on the project)
In order to show the strong personalities of the four Divisions, the music production was divided amongst the four production directors of EVIL LINE RECORDS. I, Hirano, am responsible for Ikebukuro, the head of EVIL LINE RECORDS label - Miyamoto for Shinjuku, Hip-hop culture guru Nagashima for Yokohama, and the youngest director - Mori mainly follows Shibuya. There are multiple people in the production, so I think there’s a wide range of musical ideas, and an extraordinary richness in character. As the battles unfold in the story of Hypmic, our battles as production directors also unfolds behind the scenes. (Hirano)
1. “King of Kings 2017” was a freestyle rapping championship held in Japan.
2. Feel the epicness
3. For those curious “Tigridia” refers to the tiger lily. Its meaning in the language of flowers is “love me, help me”.
