Hip hop is flourishing in the current music industry. On the day of "Show Me the Money," "Unpretty Rapstar," and other program broadcasts, the online searches are dominated by hip hop artists. Names of hip hop artists on various charts are fixed in the first few places. Naturally, there are now more and more artists doing hip hop. Not only to the culture, but there is also a great leap in quality. It can be called the "Korean hip hop renaissance" now. These artists that are leading the "under" and "over" is here to meet us through "Meeting Hip Hop".
"Honestly, doing this interview is scary"
Through the stories told by Bangtan Boys' Rap Monster, who is the most talented 'hip hop idol' in today's music industry, we find out the reason why he's "scared". It's because they receive disparaging criticisms as idols. We feel a bit shameful about this.
Of course in the past there are those that debut before finishing their music or idols that doing music activities after being packaged together like fast food. But over the past 20 years, the idol market has already become mainstream. While seizing the position, their standard of music has greatly improved. Certain promising young idols have appeared, and there are also groups that have achieved results with distinct music. “Bangtan Boys' hip hop," because they are an idol group, they have to continue facing criticism.
How will the public view change in the future? But what is fairly clear is that the question of "are they idol" absolutely cannot be distinguished from "is it hip hop". Also, Bangtan Boys are cool "idols" and also a "hip hop group" - this is an undeniable fact.
(This interview is done by Suga and Rap Monster.)
What I like is good
Although this interview is unrelated to the album promotions, this interview was coincidentally scheduled during the promotions of follow-up song "Dope" from BTS' mini album "Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa pt. 1". So naturally we will begin by talking about the album.
Regarding the "Dope" follow-up promotions, Rap Monster said, "(Although it's a follow-up song) In order to show our best, there was a bit of time between the 'I Need U' promotions. It's not another song we prepared but that we had already decided on this as the next song when we recorded the songs, so we hoped to do well on it. The concept photos were retaken, the MV was also newly filmed, the choreography was also newly planned... it's like preparing for completely new promotion activities".
Suga continued, "Although there was no burden, we are normally are ones that prepare a lot. Plus, 'Dope' has a similar feeling to our follow-up song, 'Hormone War,' from our previous album 'Dark & Wild'. The response was great back then and that's how it saved us." He revealed a smile.
A difference between "Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa pt. 1" and BTS' previous albums is that there is no "Cypher" recorded (a song where the rappers use freestyle to tell their story).
Rap Monster explained, "There were many people that expected a 'Cypher' track but if we continued to do that, the effect of it will be weakened, so we purposefully skipped it this time. This album was released after 8 months. Compared to the previous albums that were released after 4, 6 months, it's an even shorter period of time. If we recorded a Cypher track, we worry that it might be too similar [to previous ones]. We wanted to rest on it for some time so we can show something better as time passes".
It's a shame that it was not included in "Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa pt. 1," but Cyphers are considered BTS' most clear-cut tracks as hip hop artists. (In fact MC Meta, who has always been in the hip hop scene, also praised 'BTS Cypher Pt. 3: Killer.) With the members personally composing the song and writing the lyrics, it's a track that showcases BTS' possibilities.
Rap Monster explained the album production method, "(The members' involvement in the album) is over a half. About 60%? It gradually increases with every album. It was pretty much handled by me, Suga hyung, and J-Hope hyung, the rap line. And now even the remaining members are involved in the track production. I am ambitious to have more people know about our own works so we participated a lot in this album."
One thing to point is the role of producer Bang Shihyuk. Rap Monster said, "He plays the role of the reviewer and direction leader. He's the one that coordinates the overall balance of the album. He's the type that would say 'I want to see what you guys can do' and leaves it all to us." Suga continued, "After producing a song, the final decision will be given to him. Regardless, he's still a sunbae in terms of music so he makes the decision for us. He’s more familiar with popular songs than we are so we received a lot of help in that aspect. We can record any of the songs that we wish, but the title song needs to have a sense of appeal to the public.”
Suga added, "When you mention producers in Korea, people would mainly think 'composers.' But it can also include being the director. I usually compose songs with that type of thought. There's actually another person responsible for the track production, Pdogg. And I'm more like the second producer."
One thing to especially point out in BTS' music is the heavy guitar riffs in the hip hop beats. Suga expressed his agreement, "That's right. If you listen to our album, you'll realize that there's quite a lot of electronic and guitar accompaniments."
Rap Monster explained in regards to why they often use such accompaniments, "I think it's important for people to feel excited so as performers, we put a lot of thought to it. Especially, for our title song, we had someone famous from America play the rhythm." (As an aside: That's why it's more fun to the singer and to the audience when BTS performs live.)
In fact BTS' music is not oriented to a specific accompaniment. Rap Monster said about this, "We're just rooted into hip hop music; we didn't necessarily decide upfront whether to do east coast, west coast, old school or boombap. It doesn't have to be hip hop. Even EDM is good, pop is good. Don't they all have a cool vibe to them? Those have affected me altogether."
Suga added, "Honestly in times like this, it's hard to say where your roots are. We're not like Kendrick Lamar where once you listen, you can tell the distinct regional style. We just like hip hop music. With hip hop as the center, we can borrow from EDM, pop, or rock accompaniments."
Because they have such music values, BTS' music uses less electronic music and more emphasis on the melody line compared to other hip hop idols. They are ones that do not always follow the popular trends, but have their own style.
To this Suga simply answered, "I believe that if I like it, then it's good."
He added, "Actually there were a lot to consider when producing a title song. It's important that it sounds good but there's a lot to think about, like the performance, the rapping's clarity, vocals, and line distributions. We really consider a lot for the title song. We spent a lot of efforts to keep working on different versions of the title song so that we can produce a song that 'sounds good.'"
Rap Mon and Suga made a promise for the next album, "We have started preparing for the songs in 'Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa pt. 2'. Whether it's mentally or in music, we are more matured now than we were when we first debuted. We will be back with even better works."
Idol and Hip Hop
The main reason why BTS' creative activities are even more difficult is because of the public's bias against idols. Since they are idols, they have taken steps back but at the same time, they don't want to give up their own desire/ambition.
Rap Monster said, "At first I was a bit reluctant to debut as an idol. I originally was supposed to debut in a rap group but it suddenly changed. But during the training process, I've come to realize that I can still do my music even if I'm in an idol group."
Suga also added, "Even though when we gave in sometimes, we also received things in return. In fact, in terms of producing music, there's nothing that's lacking at the moment. We'll still doing what we want."
In particular, it already seems like they've already freed themselves from the debate of idol or hip hop.
Rap Monster expressed his thoughts frankly, "I can also understand being underestimated due to being an idol. I'm already a lot more lenient to those criticisms. 'How do I make it like hip hop music?' 'How close does it have to be before it's hip hop?' When you listen to music and if you exclude those kind of thoughts and think ‘it's not bad,’ then that song is yours.”
Suga said, "Music is not judged by the producer anyways; it's by the listeners. People will dislike something if it doesn't suit their taste and they'll like it if it does. It's all based on the listeners' preferences. That's why I don't think it's necessary for us to explain to them that 'it should be like this.'"
Obviously they know that to musicians, the best weapon is the music itself. Rap Mon said, "In short, we are confident that there are people that know us and like us."
Suga added, "I think people's thoughts will change. Recently rather than actually finding music to listen to, it's a time where more people are only listening to [the music] because they heard it. As long as many people say it's good, then it becomes good music. We just need to continuously release good music and then make even better music after hearing the feedback. This judgment is given to the public." They promise to use good music to change the views of the public for them.
There are also advantages to debuting as idols. Suga said, "I think debuting as idols is advantageous because it allows more people to listen to our music. But the music made for the public isn't necessarily the music I want to do. This is where there are contradictions."
Suga revealed that he is stressed over his own music and BTS' music, "I'm not yet completely satisfied with BTS' music so I'm always constantly continuing to produce on my own. Honestly the music I want to pursue cannot be completely reflected in BTS' albums. Because we are idols, we produce music for the public. I am working hard right now to find the balance in between."
Suga's solution to these difficulties is "producing."
In order to find that equilibrium point, Suga said he is making efforts, "I've written more than 60 songs these past two years. It's about 80 songs if we include Rap Monster's work and mixtape. Even Lil Wayme probably isn't like this; working hard to this point and trying many things."
Then what does Suga and Rap Monster think is BTS’ position?
Suga said surprisingly, "I think it's a bit far-fetched to call BTS' album as 'hip hop music'."
He continued, "Recently I'm not placing the emphasis on ‘the rap must be good’ and ‘hip hop genre,’ but rather attitude. Because I no longer constrain myself to those two points, I think it's a bit far-fetched to say it's hip hop. Like I said early, it's good if I like it. It's not that I like it just because it's hip hop, but rather I like it because it's good music. Of course before I've also wondered ‘why.....’ and also disputed the public's view on us. But now I just simply want to make music that touches many people so I've decreased many thoughts like 'it should be like this.'" He is showing an open-minded attitude to this genre debate.
Rap Monster also filled in, "When we accepted this interview, I was afraid because our appearance itself on 'Meeting Hip Hop' will already cause a debate. For those that are long-time listeners of hip hop music, many think that due to our label as idols, BTS' music is very far off from hip hop. But we don't feel wronged about that. After all, whether it's 'they are a bit hip hop' or 'they are only idols' are all the truth. They all have their own definition of hip hop. We don't necessarily have to ask them to 'confirm' us (as hip hop artists). But we just hope that they can simply view us from their own standpoint. What they see is what it is."
Even though Suga and Rap Monster now have open-minded attitudes about these debates, they have once struggled about this. Suga takes it a bit easier as he doesn't care about these small things. But to Rap Monster, who easily gets hurt from things like these, admitted frankly that it was very difficult.
Rap Monster said, "There are some people that say after listening to my mixtape as to 'why does he have such serious inferiority complex?' It's because I was born that way. I often feel wronged and hurt inside. 'Honestly, I'm insignificant and pessimistic' - I agree to this point. But I had also spent a few years refusing to agree to this. Afterwards, I have finally found myself in the midst of the process and have relaxed a lot more. After telling this story, I feel like I can tell more stories." By identifying himself as 'insignificant and pessimistic,' Rap Monster has found himself again.
Rap Monster actually used to read all of the comments about it and ended up feeling hurt, "When I read comments like 'I don't like him,' or ones that are just thought up in the moment and takes 5 seconds to write, I will think about it for 5 hours and even 5 days. There's no sense to it, but it bothers me when I read each and everyone one. Now for the sake of my health, I don't read all of them. It's how I've been treating those criticisms after releasing my mixtape.” He revealed a smile.
Through hard work, Rap Monster and Suga expressed that sometimes they feel that others' views of them are gradually changing.
Suga and Rap Monster said, "Some views of us have changed. This change seems to be the difference between being qualified or unqualified. If people don't know us, then there's no need to mention it. But if people listen to our music often and to a certain point, it seems like discussions about us will begin. If while listening and some would say,' Having said that, they are still worth paying attention to,' that would be a very fortunate thing."
At the same time Suga said, "No matter what, we are musicians so we wish to be validated through our music. Whether it's rap, music, beat or arrangement, we want to be approved. But even when we get approved, I don't just want to do 1-2 years of music and end. I truly want to do music long-term so even if I don't get recognized in the meantime, I'm not too bothered by it. But one thing I can guarantee is that I can't make everyone like us, but there will be many that listen to our music and go through music activities together."
Lastly, Rap Monster and Suga tells everyone again what BTS and their pursuit of hip hop is, "There's nothing we can do if you don't like us. But if you view us with a lenient attitude, we will definitely be better. If not, then forget it. No matter when it is, we just want to give you good music."
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